2024 in ice hockey

The following were the events of ice hockey for the year 2024 throughout the world.

Olympic qualification

Final qualifications for the men's tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics took place from August 29 to September 1.

Group D: Bratislava
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Slovakia, 2. Kazakhstan, 3. Austria, 4. Hungary
Group E: Riga
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Latvia, 2. France, 3. Slovenia, 4. Ukraine
Group F: Aalborg
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Denmark, 2. Norway, 3. Great Britain, 4. Japan
Slovakia, Latvia, and Denmark qualified for the men's tournament at the Olympics.
Following the International Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation's decision to extend Russia's tournament ban, France additionally qualified.^[1]^[2]^[3]

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World Championships

Summarize

Perspective

2024 World Ice Hockey Divisions for the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) took place between December 10, 2023 and May 26, 2024.

World Junior Ice Hockey Championships

December 26, 2023 – January 5: 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship in Gothenburg
- The United States defeated Sweden, 6–2, to win their sixth World Junior Ice Hockey Championship title.
- Czechia defeated Finland, 8–5, to win the bronze medal.
- Norway was relegated to Division I – Group A for 2025.

Divisions

December 10, 2023 – December 16, 2023: Division I – Group A in Budapest
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Kazakhstan, 2. France, 3. Denmark, 4. Austria, 5. Hungary, 6. Japan
- Kazakhstan was promoted to the Top Division for 2025.
- Japan was relegated to Division I – Group B for 2025.
December 11, 2023 – December 17, 2023: Division I – Group B in Bled
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Slovenia, 2. Ukraine, 3. Italy, 4. Estonia, 5. Poland, 6. Croatia
- Slovenia was promoted to Division I – Group A for 2025.
- Croatia was relegated to Division II – Group A for 2025.
December 11, 2023 – December 17, 2023: Division II – Group A in Dumfries
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. South Korea, 2. Lithuania, 3. Great Britain, 4. China, 5. Netherlands, 6. Spain
- South Korea was promoted to Division I – Group B for 2025.
- Spain was relegated to Division II – Group B for 2025.
January 14 – 20: Division II – Group B in Belgrade
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Romania, 2. Serbia, 3. Iceland, 4. Australia, 5. Belgium, 6. Chinese Taipei
- Romania was promoted to Division II – Group A for 2025.
- Chinese Taipei was relegated to Division III – Group A for 2025.
January 22 – 28: Division III – Group A in Sofia
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Israel, 2. New Zealand, 3. Bulgaria, 4. Turkey, 5. Mexico, 6. Kyrgyzstan
- Israel was promoted to Division II – Group B for 2025.
- Kyrgyzstan was relegated to Division III – Group B for 2025.
January 25 – 28: Division III – Group B in Sarajevo
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2. Luxembourg, 3. South Africa
- Bosnia and Herzegovina was promoted to Division III – Group A for 2025.

IIHF World Women's U18 Championship

January 6 – 14: 2024 IIHF World Women's U18 Championship in Zug
- The United States defeated Czechia, 5–1, to win their ninth World Women's U18 Championship title.
- Canada defeated Finland, 8–1, to win the bronze medal.
- Germany was relegated to Division I – Group A for 2025.

Divisions

January 6 – 12: Division I – Group A in Egna
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Japan, 2. Italy, 3. Hungary, 4. Austria, 5. France, 6. Denmark
- Japan was promoted to the Top Division for 2025.
- Denmark was relegated to Division I – Group B for 2025.
January 8 – 14: Division I – Group B in Jaca
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Norway, 2. Spain, 3. Poland, 4. Australia, 5. South Korea, 6. Chinese Taipei
- Norway was promoted to Division I – Group A for 2025.
- Chinese Taipei was relegated to Division II – Group A for 2025.
January 8 – 14: Division II – Group B in Sofia
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. New Zealand, 2. Iceland, 3. Belgium, 4. Mexico, 5. Bulgaria, 6. South Africa
- New Zealand was promoted to Division II – Group A for 2025.
January 15 – 21: Division II – Group A in Heerenveen
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. China, 2. Great Britain, 3. Netherlands, 4. Latvia, 5. Kazakhstan, 6. Turkey
- China was promoted to Division I – Group B for 2025.
- Turkey was relegated to Division II – Group B for 2025.

IIHF World Championship

May 10 – 26: 2024 IIHF World Championship in Prague and Ostrava
- Czechia defeated Switzerland, 2–0, to win their seventh World Championship title.
- Sweden defeated Canada, 4–2, to win the bronze medal.
- Great Britain and Poland were relegated to Division I – Group A for 2025.

Divisions

February 23 – 29: Division III – Group B in Sarajevo
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2. North Korea, 3. Hong Kong, 4. Philippines, 5. Singapore, 6. Iran
- Bosnia and Herzegovina was promoted to Division III – Group A for 2025.
- Iran was relegated to Division IV for 2025.
March 10 – 16: Division III – Group A in Bishkek
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Thailand, 2. Kyrgyzstan, 3. Luxembourg, 4. Turkmenistan, 5. South Africa, 6. Mexico
- Thailand was promoted to Division II – Group B for 2025.
- Mexico was relegated to Division III – Group B for 2025.
April 16 – 19: Division IV in Kuwait City
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Mongolia, 2. Kuwait, 3. Indonesia, 4. Malaysia
- Mongolia was promoted to Division III – Group B for 2025.
April 21 – 27: Division II – Group A in Belgrade
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Croatia, 2. Serbia, 3. United Arab Emirates 4. Israel, 5. Australia, 6. Iceland
- Croatia was promoted to Division I – Group B for 2025.
- Iceland was relegated to Division II – Group B for 2025.
April 22 – 28: Division II – Group B in Sofia
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Belgium, 2. New Zealand, 3. Georgia, 4. Bulgaria, 5. Chinese Taipei, 6. Turkey
- Belgium was promoted to Division II – Group A for 2025.
- Turkey was relegated to Division III – Group A for 2025.
April 27 – May 3: Division I – Group B in Vilnius
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Ukraine, 2. Lithuania, 3. Estonia, 4. China, 5. Spain, 6. Netherlands
- Ukraine was promoted to Division I – Group A for 2025.
- The Netherlands were relegated to Division II – Group A for 2025.
April 28 – May 4: Division I – Group A in Bolzano
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Hungary, 2. Slovenia, 3. Italy, 4. Romania, 5. Japan, 6. South Korea
- Hungary and Slovenia were promoted to the Top Division for 2025.
- South Korea was relegated to Division I – Group B for 2025.

IIHF World U18 Championships

April 25 – May 5: 2024 IIHF World U18 Championships in Espoo and Vantaa
- Canada defeated the United States, 6–4, to win their fifth World U18 Championship title.
- Sweden defeated Slovakia, 4–0, to win the bronze medal.
- Kazakhstan was relegated to Division I – Group A for 2025.

Divisions

March 4 – 7: Division III – Group B in Cape Town
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Hong Kong, 2. Turkmenistan, 3. Thailand, 4. South Africa
- Hong Kong was promoted to Division III – Group A for 2025.
March 4 – 10: Division III – Group A in Istanbul
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Belgium, 2. Mexico, 3. Turkey, 4. Iceland, 5. New Zealand, 6. Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Belgium was promoted to Division II – Group B for 2025.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina was relegated to Division III – Group B for 2025.
March 17 – 23: Division II – Group B in Puigcerdà
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. China, 2. Spain, 3. Bulgaria, 4. Australia, 5. Chinese Taipei, 6. Israel
- China was promoted to Division II – Group A for 2025.
- Israel was relegated to Division III – Group A for 2025.
April 14 – 20: Division I – Group A in Frederikshavn
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Germany, 2. Ukraine, 3. Austria, 4. Hungary, 5. Denmark, 6. Japan
- Germany was promoted to the Top Division for 2025.
- Japan was relegated to Division I – Group B for 2025.
April 14 – 20: Division I – Group B in Tallinn
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Slovenia, 2. Lithuania, 3. Estonia, 4. France, 5. South Korea, 6. Italy
- Slovenia was promoted to Division I – Group A for 2025.
- Italy was relegated to Division II – Group A for 2025.
April 17 – 23: Division II – Group A in Sosnowiec
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Poland, 2. Great Britain, 3. Netherlands, 4. Romania, 5. Croatia, 6. Serbia
- Poland was promoted to Division I – Group B for 2025.
- Serbia was relegated to Division II – Group B for 2025.

IIHF Women's World Championship

April 3 – 14: 2024 IIHF Women's World Championship in Utica
- Canada defeated the United States, 6–5 in overtime, to win their 13th Women's World Championship title.
- Finland defeated Czechia, 3–2 in a shootout, to win the bronze medal.
- China and Denmark were relegated to Division I – Group A for 2025.

Divisions

March 11 – 17: Division III – Group A in Zagreb
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Ukraine, 2. Romania, 3. Lithuania, 4. Serbia, 5. Croatia, 6. Bulgaria
- Ukraine was promoted to Division II – Group B for 2025.
- Bulgaria was relegated to Division III – Group B for 2025.
March 24 – 29: Division III – Group B in Kohtla-Järve
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Thailand, 2. Estonia, 3. Israel, 4. Singapore, 5. Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Thailand was promoted to Division III – Group A for 2025.
March 31 – April 6: Division I – Group B in Riga
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Slovakia, 2. Latvia, 3. Italy, 4. Great Britain, 5. Slovenia, 6. Poland
- Slovakia was promoted to Division I – Group A for 2025.
- Poland was relegated to Division II – Group A for 2025.
April 1 – 7: Division II – Group B in Istanbul
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. North Korea, 2. Australia, 3. Hong Kong, 4. New Zealand, 5. Turkey, 6. South Africa
- North Korea was promoted to Division II – Group A for 2025.
- South Africa was relegated to Division III – Group A for 2025.
April 7 – 13: Division II – Group A in Canillo
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Kazakhstan, 2. Spain, 3. Mexico, 4. Chinese Taipei, 5. Iceland, 6. Belgium
- Kazakhstan was promoted to Division I – Group B for 2025.
- Belgium was relegated to Division II – Group B for 2025.
April 21 – 27: Division I – Group A in Klagenfurt
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Norway, 2. Hungary, 3. France, 4. Austria, 5. Netherlands, 6. South Korea
- Norway and Hungary were promoted to the Top Division for 2025.
- South Korea was relegated to Division I – Group B for 2025.

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National Hockey League (NHL)

October 10, 2023 – April 18: 2023–24 NHL season
- Presidents' Trophy and Eastern Conference regular-season winners: New York Rangers
- Western Conference regular-season winners: Dallas Stars
- Art Ross Trophy winner: Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning)
October 29, 2023: 2023 Heritage Classic at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton
- The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Calgary Flames, by the score of 5–2.
January 1: 2024 Winter Classic at T-Mobile Park in Seattle
- The Seattle Kraken defeated the Vegas Golden Knights, by the score of 3–0.
February 3: 2024 All-Star Game at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto
- All-Star Game: Team Matthews defeated Team McDavid, by the score of 7–4.
- All-Star Game MVP: Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs)
- Skills Competition:
  - Overall winner: Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)
  - Fastest Skater: Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)
  - One Timers: Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche)
  - Passing Challenge: Elias Pettersson (Vancouver Canucks)
  - Hardest Shot: Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)
  - Stick Handling: Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)
  - Accuracy Shooting: Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)
  - One-on-One: William Nylander (Toronto Maple Leafs) (skaters), Alexandar Georgiev (Colorado Avalanche) (goaltenders)
  - Obstacle Course: Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)
February 17 & 18: 2024 Stadium Series at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford
- February 17: The New Jersey Devils defeated the Philadelphia Flyers, by the score of 6–3.
- February 18: The New York Rangers defeated the New York Islanders in overtime, by the score of 6–5.
April 18: The NHL announces the establishment of a franchise based in Salt Lake City, Utah, with the hockey assets of the Arizona Coyotes; the Coyotes franchise is subsequently marked inactive, with re-activation contingent on the construction of a new arena by 2029.^[4]
April 20 – June 24: 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs
- June 24: The Florida Panthers defeat the Edmonton Oilers four games to three in the Stanley Cup Finals to win their first Stanley Cup.
June 28 & 29: 2024 NHL Entry Draft at the Sphere in Paradise
- #1: Macklin Celebrini (to the San Jose Sharks from the Boston University Terriers)

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Kontinental Hockey League (KHL)

September 1, 2023 – February 26: 2023–24 KHL season
- Continental Cup and Western Conference regular-season winner: Dynamo Moscow
- Eastern Conference regular-season winner: Metallurg Magnitogorsk
- Lada Togliatti returned to the league, after a five-season tenure in the VHL.
February 29 – April 4: 2024 Gagarin Cup playoffs
- April 4: Metallurg Magnitogorsk defeats Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in a four-game sweep in the Gagarin Cup Finals to win their third Gagarin Cup.

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North America

Minor league professional (AHL/ECHL)

October 13, 2023 – April 21: 2023–24 AHL season
- Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy & Atlantic Division winners: Hershey Bears
- Central Division winners: Milwaukee Admirals
- Pacific Division winners: Coachella Valley Firebirds
- North Division winners: Cleveland Monsters
- The Chicago Wolves became the first AHL team to have no NHL affiliate since 1994–95.^[5]
- January 13, 2024: 2024 Outdoor Classic at Truist Field in Charlotte
  - The Charlotte Checkers defeated the Rochester Americans with a score of 5–2.
- April 23 – June 24: 2024 Calder Cup playoffs
  - June 24: The Hershey Bears defeat the Coachella Valley Firebirds four games to two to win their second consecutive and 13th overall Calder Cup title.
October 19, 2023 – April 14: 2023–24 ECHL season
- Brabham Cup & Mountain Division winners: Kansas City Mavericks
- Central Division winners: Toledo Walleye
- North Division winners: Adirondack Thunder
- South Division winners: Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- The Newfoundland Growlers ceased operations on April 2, 2024, without completing the final six games of the season.^[6]
- April 17 – June 8: 2024 Kelly Cup playoffs
  - June 8: The Florida Everblades defeat the Kansas City Mavericks four games to one to win their third consecutive and fourth overall Kelly Cup title.

Junior (OHL/QMJHL/USHL/WHL)

September 20, 2023 – April 13: 2023–24 USHL season
- Anderson Cup & Western Conference winners: Fargo Force
- Eastern Conference winners: Dubuque Fighting Saints
- April 15 – May 18: 2024 Clark Cup playoffs
  - May 18: The Fargo Force defeat the Dubuque Fighting Saints three games to one to win their second Clark Cup title.
September 22, 2023 – March 23: 2023–24 QMJHL season
- Jean Rougeau Trophy & East Division winners: Baie-Comeau Drakkar
- Central Division: Drummondville Voltigeurs
- West Division: Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
- Maritimes Division: Halifax Mooseheads
- December 14, 2023 (in-season): The QMJHL officially changes its name to the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, replacing the term "Major," to better include the six Maritime-based teams in the league.^[7]
- March 29 – May 14: 2024 QMJHL playoffs
  - May 14: The Drummondville Voltigeurs defeat the Baie-Comeau Drakkar in a four-game sweep to win their second Gilles-Courteau Trophy title.
September 22, 2023 – March 24: 2023–24 WHL season
- Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy & East Division winners: Saskatoon Blades
- B.C. Division: Prince George Cougars
- U.S. Division: Portland Winterhawks
- Central Division: Swift Current Broncos
- March 28 – May 15: 2024 WHL playoffs
  - May 15: The Moose Jaw Warriors defeat the Portland Winterhawks in a four-game sweep to win their first Ed Chynoweth Cup title.
September 28, 2023 – March 24: 2023–24 OHL season
- Hamilton Spectator Trophy & Midwest Division winners: London Knights
- West Division: Saginaw Spirit
- East Division: Oshawa Generals
- Central Division: North Bay Battalion
- March 28 – May: 2024 OHL playoffs
  - May 15: The London Knights defeat the Oshawa Generals in a four-game sweep to win their fifth J. Ross Robertson Cup title.
May 24 – June 2: 2024 Memorial Cup at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw
- June 2: The Saginaw Spirit defeat the London Knights, 4–3, to win their first Memorial Cup title.

Collegiate

NCAA–Division I (USA)

March 14 – 24: 2024 NCAA Division I women's ice hockey tournament (Frozen Four at the Whittemore Center in Durham)
- March 24: The Ohio State Buckeyes defeat the Wisconsin Badgers, 1–0, to win their second NCAA Division I Women's Ice Hockey title.
March 28 – April 13: 2024 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament (Frozen Four at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul)
- April 13: The Denver Pioneers defeat the Boston College Eagles, 2–0, to win their tenth NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey title.

U Sports (Canada)

March 14 – 17: 2024 U Sports University Cup Tournament at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto
- March 17: The UNB Reds defeat the UQTR Patriotes, 4–0, to win their tenth University Cup title.

Women's professional (PWHL)

January 1 – May 5: 2023–24 PWHL season
- Regular season winner: PWHL Toronto
- February 1, 2024: PWHL All-Star Showcase at the 2024 National Hockey League All-Star Game
  - Team King defeats Team Kloss, by the score of 5–3.
- May 8 – 29: 2024 Walter Cup playoffs
  - May 29: PWHL Minnesota defeats PWHL Boston three games to two to win the inaugural Walter Cup.

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Europe

Tournaments

August 31, 2023 – February 20: 2023–24 Champions Hockey League
- Genève-Servette HC defeated Skellefteå AIK, 3–2, to win their first Champions Hockey League title.
- Vítkovice Ridera and Lukko finished in joint third place, as the losing semi-finalists.
September 22, 2023 – January 14: 2023–24 IIHF Continental Cup
- Final Ranking: 1. Nomad Astana, 2. GKS Katowice, 3. Cardiff Devils, 4. Herning Blue Fox
December 26 – 31: 2024 Spengler Cup in Davos
- HC Fribourg-Gottéron defeats the Straubing Tigers, 7–2, to win their first Spengler Cup.

Leagues

September 12, 2023 – March 12: 2023–24 Liiga season
- March 15 – April 28: 2024 Liiga playoffs
  - Tappara defeats Pelicans, four games to one, to win their third consecutive and 13th overall SM-liiga title, and 20th Finnish championship.
September 13, 2023 – March 4: 2023–24 National League season
- March 16 – April 30: 2024 National League playoffs
  - The ZSC Lions defeat Lausanne HC, four games to three, to win their tenth National League title.
September 14, 2023 – March 3: 2023–24 Czech Extraliga season
- Presidential Cup winner: Dynamo Pardubice
- March 6 – April 28: 2024 Czech Extraliga playoffs
  - Oceláři Třinec defeats Dynamo Pardubice, four games to three, to win their fourth consecutive and sixth overall Extraliga title.
September 14, 2023 – March 8: 2023–24 DEL season
- Augsburger Panther were initially relegated to the DEL2; however, they ultimately remained in the DEL, as the DEL2 champion Eisbären Regensburg did not apply to join the DEL.^[8]
- March 10 – April 26: 2024 DEL playoffs
  - Eisbären Berlin defeats the Fischtown Pinguins, four games to one, to win their tenth DEL title.
September 14, 2023 – March 12: 2023–24 SHL season
- Modo Hockey joined the league after promotion from the HockeyAllsvenskan.
- IK Oskarshamn were relegated to the HockeyAllsvenskan.
- March 14 – April 29: 2024 SHL playoffs
  - Skellefteå AIK defeats Rögle BK, four games to one, to win their fourth Le Mat Trophy title.

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Asia

September 16, 2023 – March 24: 2023–24 Asia League Ice Hockey season
- Leader's Flag winners: HL Anyang
- The East Hokkaido Cranes folded prior to the season.
- March 30 – April 6: 2024 ALIH Finals
  - HL Anyang defeated Red Eagles Hokkaido, three games to one, to win their second consecutive and eighth overall Asia League championship.
March 24 – 30: 2024 IIHF Women's Asia and Oceania Cup in Bishkek
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Iran, 2. Philippines, 3. United Arab Emirates, 4. India, 5. Kyrgyzstan
April 23 – 30: 2024 IIHF U18 Asia and Oceania Championship in Tashkent and Samarkand
- Uzbekistan defeated Thailand, 2–1, to win their second Men's U18 Asia and Oceania Championship title.
- Mongolia defeated the United Arab Emirates, 4–2, to win the bronze medal.
October 31 – November 3: 2025 IIHF Women's Asia Championship in Beijing
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Japan, 2. China, 3. Kazakhstan, 4. South Korea
November 6 – 9: 2025 IIHF Asia Championship in Almaty
- Final Round Robin placements: 1. Kazakhstan, 2. Japan, 3. South Korea, 4. China

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Other tournaments

April 21 – 27: 2024 IIHF Development Cup in Bratislava
- Final standings: 1. Ireland, 2. Portugal, 3. Colombia, 4. Argentina, 5. Greece, 6. Brazil
April 24 – 28: Dream Nations Cup^[9]^[10] in East Rutherford
- Men's tournament:
  - Algeria defeated Armenia, 7–6 in overtime, to win the gold medal.
  - The First Nations defeated Egypt, 6–3, to win the bronze medal.
- Women's tournament:
  - The Netherlands defeated the Caribbean, two games to one, to win the gold medal.
  - Egypt defeated the First Nations, 4–1, to win the bronze medal.
November 7 – 13: IIHF Women's 3x3 Series in São Paulo^[11]
- Argentina defeated Puerto Rico, 7–3, to win the gold medal.
- Colombia defeated Brazil, 6–1, to win the bronze medal.