If you’re reading this article, you’re likely a fan of ice hockey. Unfortunately, our sport has been missing a critical element for almost a decade: a best-on-best tournament.
Despite having a rich history of international competition, ice hockey’s lack of a regularly scheduled best-on-best tournament has caused it to fall behind its rivals in terms of global appeal.
The NHL’s last best-on-best competition was the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. However, labour disputes and the COVID-19 pandemic saw the league move away from international play.
But that is a mistake, as fans are eager to see top players, like Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews, represent their countries.
Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs (Image: Brian Murphy, All-Pro Reels)
The success of the 2023 World Baseball Classic also raises serious questions about the need for ice hockey to establish a similar tournament.
McDavid, a superstar with the Edmonton Oilers, has never played in a best-on-best ice hockey tournament for Team Canada. However, he is enthusiastic about representing his country in such an event after watching Major League Baseball’s international competition.
“I thought it was really cool,” the 26-year-old told reporters on Wednesday. “Everyone’s been talking about baseball [and asking] ‘Did you see Ohtani versus Trout?’ and that’s what hockey’s been missing for almost a decade now. It’s what we’ve been asking for in hockey for a long time. It’s best-on-best.”
Why has it been so long since ice hockey’s last best-on-best tournament?
The NHL participated in five consecutive Winter Olympic Games but pulled out of best-on-best play ahead of PyeongChang 2018.
The league has concerns that the midseason break required for players to participate in international competitions is disruptive to the regular season.
“Quite frankly, we don’t see what the benefit is from the game- or league-standpoint with respect to participation in the Olympics,” Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said in 2017.
There is also the small matter of player insurance, which has become more of an issue since the season-ending knee injury John Tavares suffered while playing for Team Canada in Sochi.
Finally, the pandemic blocked any chance of a return to the Winter Games in 2022.
“It’s extremely disappointing that the players aren’t going,” Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand said in December of 2021. “I think guys have worked their entire lives to put themselves in position to compete at that level and that opportunity.
“It should be guys’ decisions whether they choose to go or not, regardless of what’s happening in the world. If the Olympics are on and they’re playing, the best players in the world should have that option. It’s tough to deal with.”
Why should ice hockey prioritise best-on-best competitions?
Unlike other major sports, ice hockey lacks a tournament that pits its top players against each other every four years. This void has not only hurt the game’s growth but also deprived fans of thrilling international rivalries.
If ice hockey provided a platform for its top players to showcase their skills on the international stage, it would help to grow audiences in countries where the sport is still ‘new’.
Imagine an international quarter-final clash between Team Switzerland and Team Germany, with Timo Meier, Nico Hischier, Leon Draisaitl, and Tim Stützle all on the ice.
It would be elite. Which is exactly why ice hockey needs a best-on-best tournament before as soon as possible.
Before the NHL withdrew from the 2022 Winter Olympics, Hischier was named as Team Switzerland’s provisional captain. He was thrilled.
“Growing up you watch the Olympic Games,” he explained. “It’s something special. It’s something I haven’t experienced in my career. It’s still a little ahead. I’m trying not to focus on that instead of the season. I’ll just take it day-by-day, but when the time comes and I go over there, it’s a dream come true. I always wanted to experience that. It’s pretty cool.”
It’s about time that ice hockey allows its best players to represent their countries and realise lifelong dreams.
Ultimately, the sport is missing a major opportunity to attract new fans and grow the game with a true best-on-best tournament. In wake of the World Baseball Classic’s success, it’s time for our game to take itself seriously and place itself alongside other major sports.
