ZURICH – The IIHF will organize a Hockey Forum in Barcelona on June 12-14, 2012. The event aims to involve all stakeholders in an open discussion on the current challenges facing European ice hockey.

“We felt that it is time to organize this unique event with all parties who feel they have a stake in ice hockey,” said IIHF President René Fasel. “We want to have an open discussion around some key issues, especially focused on Europe, and to find a common plan about how to go forward.

After a hearing with the top-8 European leagues at the end of February, the decision was taken to seize the momentum and plan a forum in the summer.

“The focus will be on finding a format for a competitively and commercially viable top European club competition, how to integrate that with existing national team competitions and how to have the IIHF, the national associations, the leagues and the clubs working together around this.”

“Governance structure, current and for the future, will also be a key point, as well as cooperation with the NHL, the NHLPA and the Canadian (Junior) Hockey League,” said René Fasel.

A detailed event schedule along with a list of key presenters, panelists and complete registration and accommodation information will be announced within the upcoming weeks.

The dates of the Hockey Forum are as follows:

Dates: 12-15 June (this includes arrival and departure dates) Venue: Hotel Rey Juan Carlos, Barcelona, Spain (http://www.hrjuancarlos.com/)

Preliminary agenda:

Tuesday, June 12 Arrival
Afternoon: Introduction and presenting the current situation in European hockey. Late afternoon: European club competitions in other major team sports.

Wednesday, June 13 Morning: European club hockey competition – which way to go? Afternoon: Governance structure in ice hockey – now and in future?

Thursday, June 14 Morning: Economy; The right business model; revenue streams & escalating salaries. Afternoon: National Team events & International breaks + Open Forum (other business).

Friday, June 15 Departure