IIHF wants Canadiens for pre-season tourney
Last Updated: Tuesday, May 8, 2007 | 4:17 PM ET
CBC Sports
An NHL club would take on the best Europe has to offer in a three-team tournament proposed by the International Ice Hockey Federation.
IIHF president Rene Fasel said Tuesday that if he was given the choice, the Montreal Canadiens would represent the NHL in the inaugural Victoria Cup in September 2008.
Montreal's Cristobal Huet could face shooters from top European clubs if a proposed IIHF tournament proceeds.
(John Amis/Associated Press)
"We'd like to have a team that has a great history behind it like the Original Six teams do," he said.
The NHL has not yet officially commented on the idea of a tournament, which according to Fasel would be played in an undetermined European location.
Top European clubs would compete in a series of stages, like soccer's Champions League, to advance to the three-team tourney.
The IIHF also said Tuesday it would formally recognize the Victoria Skating Rink in Montreal as the birthplace of hockey, stemming from a March 1875 game reported in the Montreal Gazette.
The federation will award commemorative medals to 18 players belonging to The Triple Gold Club — winners of Olympic gold, the Stanley Cup and gold in the world championship.
The four Canadians on the list are:
- Joe Sakic.
- Brendan Shanahan.
- Rob Blake.
- Scott Niedermayer.
