QUEBEC CITY – The International Association of Sporting Press (AIPS) has chosen Hans-Joachim Leydenberg as the 2008 recipient of its Special Ice Hockey Commission award for lifetime achievement.

Born May 1, 1943 in Germany, Leydenberg began his sports journalist career with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) in 1968. Starting in 1971, he covered 18 IIHF World Championships (elite division/A Pool) and 1 B Pool World Championship, in addition to 10 Olympics.

He also covered the German elite hockey league for more than 30 years, and is one of the most-recogninzed hockey journalists in his native country.

The IIHF congratulates Hans-Joachim Leydenberg on his award.