# 2025 in ice hockey

The following is a list of the events taking place in ice hockey for the year 2025 throughout the world.

## Olympic qualification

Final qualifications for women's tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics took place from February 6 to February 9.
* Group G: Tomakomai
** Final Round Robin placements: 1. Japan, 2. France, 3. China, 4. Poland
* Group H: Gävle
** Final Round Robin placements: 1. Sweden, 2. Denmark, 3. Norway, 4. Netherlands
* Group I: Bremerhaven
** Final Round Robin placements: 1. Germany, 2. Hungary, 3. Austria, 4. Slovakia
* Japan, Sweden, and Germany qualified for the women's tournament at the Olympics.
* If the IIHF chooses to extend Russia's tournament ban, France will additionally qualify.

## World Championships

2025 World Ice Hockey Divisions for the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) will take place between December 9, 2024 and May 25, 2025.

### World Junior Ice Hockey Championships

* December 26, 2024 – January 5: 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa
** The United States defeated Finland, 4–3 in overtime, to win their second consecutive and seventh overall World Junior Ice Hockey Championship title.
** Czechia defeated Sweden, 3–2 in a shootout, to win the bronze medal.
** Kazakhstan was relegated to Division I – Group A for 2026.

#### Divisions

* December 9 – 15, 2024: Division I – Group A in Bled
** Final Round Robin placements: 1. Denmark, 2. Austria, 3. Norway, 4. Slovenia, 5. France, 6. Hungary
** Denmark was promoted to the Top Division for 2026.
** Hungary was relegated to Division I – Group B for 2026.
* December 11 – 14, 2024: Division III – Group B in Bangkok
** Final Round Robin placements: 1. Thailand, 2. Kyrgyzstan, 3. South Africa, 4. Luxembourg
** Thailand was promoted to Division III – Group A for 2026.
* January 6 – 12: Division II – Group A in Zagreb
** Final Round Robin placements: 1. Lithuania, 2. Romania, 3. Croatia, 4. Great Britain, 5. China, 6. Netherlands
** Lithuania was promoted to Division I – Group B for 2026.
** Netherlands was relegated to Division II – Group B for 2026.
* January 11 – 17: Division I – Group B in Tallinn
** Final Round Robin placements: 1. Ukraine, 2. Japan, 3. Italy, 4. Estonia, 5. Poland, 6. South Korea
** Ukraine was promoted to Division I – Group A for 2026.
** South Korea was relegated to Division II – Group A for 2026.
* January 19 – 25: Division II – Group B in Belgrade
** Final Round Robin placements: 1. Spain, 2. Israel, 3. Serbia, 4. Australia, 5. Iceland, 6. Belgium
** Spain was promoted to Division II – Group A for 2026.
** Belgium was relegated to Division III – Group A for 2026.
* January 27 – February 2: Division III – Group A in Istanbul
** Final Round Robin placements: 1. New Zealand, 2. Chinese Taipei, 3. Bulgaria, 4. Turkey, 5. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 6. Mexico
** New Zealand was promoted to Division II – Group B for 2026.
** Mexico was relegated to Division III – Group B for 2026.

### IIHF World Women's U18 Championship

* January 4 – 12: 2025 IIHF World Women's U18 Championship in Vantaa
** Canada defeated United States, 3–0, to win their eighth World Women's U18 Championship title.
** Czechia defeated Sweden, 2–1, to win the bronze medal.
** Japan was relegated to Division I – Group A for 2026.

#### Divisions

* January 5 – 11: Division I – Group A in Budapest
** Final Round Robin placements: 1. Hungary, 2. Italy, 3. Germany, 4. Norway, 5. France, 6. Austria
** Hungary was promoted to the Top Division for 2026.
** Austria was relegated to Division I – Group B for 2026.
* January 7 – 13: Division I – Group B in Katowice
** Final Round Robin placements: 1. Denmark, 2. Poland, 3. Spain, 4. China, 5. Australia, 6. South Korea
** Denmark was promoted to Division I – Group A for 2026.
** South Korea was relegated to Division II – Group A for 2026.
* January 18 – 23: Division II – Group B in Istanbul
** Final Round Robin placements: 1. Turkey, 2. Iceland, 3. Belgium, 4. Mexico, 5. South Africa
** Turkey was promoted to Division II – Group A for 2026.
** South Africa was relegated to Division III for 2026.
* January 20 – 26: Division II – Group A in Riga
** Final Round Robin placements: 1. Great Britain, 2. Kazakhstan, 3. Latvia, 4. Netherlands, 5. New Zealand, 6. Chinese Taipei
** Great Britain was promoted to Division I – Group B for 2026.
** Chinese Taipei was relegated to Division II – Group B for 2026.
* January 23 – 26: Division III in Zagreb
** Final Round Robin placements: 1. Romania, 2. Thailand, 3. Croatia, 4. Lithuania
** Romania was promoted to Division II – Group B for 2026.

### IIHF Women's World Championship

* April 9 – 20: 2025 IIHF Women's World Championship in České Budějovice

#### Divisions

* February 13 – 18: Division III – Group B in Sarajevo
** Final Round Robin placements: 1. Bulgaria, 2. Israel, 3. Estonia, 4. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 5. Singapore
** Bulgaria was promoted to Division III – Group A for 2026.
* March 2 – 8: Division III – Group A in Belgrade
** Final Round Robin placements: 1. Lithuania, 2. Thailand, 3. Serbia, 4. Romania, 5. Croatia, 6. South Africa
** Lithuania was promoted to Division II – Group B for 2026.
** South Africa was relegated to Division III – Group B for 2026.
* April 7 – 13: Division II – Group A in Bytom
* April 9 – 15: Division I – Group B in Dumfries
* April 13 – 19: Division I – Group A in Shenzhen
* April 14 – 20: Division II – Group B in Dunedin

### IIHF World U18 Championships

* April 23 – May 3: 2025 IIHF World U18 Championships in Frisco and Allen

#### Divisions

* February 28 – March 6: Division III – Group B in Bangkok
** Final Round Robin placements: 1. Uzbekistan, 2. Thailand, 3. Turkmenistan, 4. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 5. South Africa, 6. Luxembourg
** Uzbekistan was promoted to Division III – Group A for 2026.
* March 2 – 8: Division III – Group A in Mexico City
** Final Round Robin placements: 1. Mexico, 2. Turkey, 3. Israel, 4. Hong Kong, 5. New Zealand, 6. Iceland
** Mexico was promoted to Division II – Group B for 2026.
** Iceland was relegated to Division III – Group B for 2026.
* March 17 – 23: Division II – Group B in Sofia
* April 13 – 19: Division II – Group A in Asiago
* April 13 – 19: Division I – Group B in Kaunas
* April 20 – 26: Division I – Group A in Székesfehérvár

### IIHF World Championship

* May 9 – 25: 2025 IIHF World Championship in Stockholm and Herning

#### Divisions

* April 13 – 19: Division IV in Yerevan
* April 21 – 27: Division III – Group A in Istanbul
* April 26 – May 2: Division I – Group B in Tallinn
* April 27 – May 3: Division III – Group B in Querétaro
* April 27 – May 3: Division II – Group B in Dunedin
* April 27 – May 3: Division II – Group A in Belgrade
* April 27 – May 3: Division I – Group A in Sfântu Gheorghe

## National Hockey League (NHL)

* October 4, 2024 – April 17: 2024–25 NHL season
* December 31, 2024: 2025 Winter Classic at Wrigley Field in Chicago
** The St. Louis Blues defeated the Chicago Blackhawks, by the score of 6–2.
* February 12 – 20: 2025 4 Nations Face-Off at TD Garden in Boston and the Bell Centre in Montreal
** February 20: Canada defeated the United States, 3–2 in overtime, to win the 4 Nations Face-Off.
* March 1: 2025 Stadium Series at Ohio Stadium in Columbus
** The Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Detroit Red Wings, by the score of 5–3.
* April – June: 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs

## Kontinental Hockey League (KHL)

* September 3, 2024 – March 23: 2024–25 KHL season

## North America
### Minor league professional (AHL/ECHL/SPHL)

* October 11, 2024 – April 20: 2024–25 AHL season
** April – June: 2025 Calder Cup playoffs
* October 18, 2024 – April 13: 2024–25 ECHL season
** April – June: 2025 Kelly Cup playoffs
* October 18, 2024 – April 5: 2024–25 SPHL season

### Junior (OHL/QMJHL/USHL/WHL)

* September 18, 2024 – April 12: 2024–25 USHL season
** April – May: 2025 Clark Cup playoffs
* September 20, 2024 – March 22: 2024–25 QMJHL season
** March – May: 2025 QMJHL playoffs
* September 20, 2024 – March 23: 2024–25 WHL season
** March 28 – May: 2025 WHL playoffs
* September 25, 2024 – March 23: 2024–25 OHL season
** March – May: 2025 OHL playoffs
* May 22 – June 1: 2025 Memorial Cup at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski

### Collegiate
#### NCAA–Division I (USA)

* March 13 – 23: 2025 NCAA Division I women's ice hockey tournament (Frozen Four at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis)
* March 28 – April 12: 2025 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament (Frozen Four at Enterprise Center in St. Louis)

#### U Sports (Canada)

* March 20 – 23: 2025 U Sports University Cup Tournament at TD Place Arena in Ottawa
* March 20 – 23: 2025 U Sports Women's Ice Hockey Championship at Woolwich Memorial Centre in Elmira

### Women's professional (PWHL)

* November 30 – May 3: 2024–25 PWHL season
** May: 2025 Walter Cup playoffs

## Europe
### Tournaments

* September 5, 2024 – February 18: 2024–25 Champions Hockey League
** The ZSC Lions defeated Färjestad BK, 2–1, to win their first Champions Hockey League title.
** Genève-Servette HC and Sparta Praha finished in joint third place, as the losing semi-finalists.
* September 20, 2024 – January 19: 2024–25 IIHF Continental Cup
** Final Ranking: 1. Cardiff Devils, 2. Brûleurs de Loups, 3. GKS Katowice, 4. HC Arlan
** HC Arlan withdrew from the tournament prior to the final round, due to travel and timing issues. The IIHF ultimately elected to proceed with only the three remaining finalists.
* December 26 – December 31: 2025 Spengler Cup in Davos

### Leagues

* September 10, 2024 – March 15: 2024–25 Liiga season
** Kiekko-Espoo joined the league after promotion from the Mestis.
** March – April: 2025 Liiga playoffs
* September 17, 2024 – March 1: 2024–25 National League season
** March – April: 2025 National League playoffs
* September 17, 2024 – March 4: 2024–25 Czech Extraliga season
** March – April: 2025 Czech Extraliga playoffs
* September 19, 2024 – March 7: 2024–25 DEL season
** March – April: 2025 DEL playoffs
* September 21, 2024 – March 11: 2024–25 SHL season
** Brynäs IF joined the league after promotion from the HockeyAllsvenskan.
** March – April: 2025 SHL playoffs

## Asia

* September 7, 2024 – March 23: 2024–25 Asia League Ice Hockey season
** March – April: 2025 ALIH Finals

## Deaths
### January

* Larry Kish, 83, Canadian defenceman (Providence Friars) and coach (Hartford Whalers)
* Al MacNeil, 89, Canadian defenceman (Chicago Black Hawks), coach (Montreal Canadiens), and executive (Calgary Flames), four-time Stanley Cup champion (1971, 1978, 1979, 1989)
* Dwight Foster, 67, Canadian right wing (Boston Bruins, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Red Wings)
* Mickey Roth, 97, Canadian centre (Lethbridge Maple Leafs, Stratford Indians, Buffalo Bisons), World Championships gold medalist (1951)
* Hilpas Sulin, 90, Finnish player (HPK) and coach (HPK)
* Brian Gibbons, 77, Canadian defenceman (Ottawa Nationals, Toronto Toros, Denver Spurs/Ottawa Civics)
* Dave Lucas, 92, Canadian defenceman (Detroit Red Wings, Johnstown Jets)
* Hans Dobida, 95, Austrian executive (Austrian Ice Hockey Association, International Ice Hockey Federation), IIHF Hall of Fame inductee
* Marcel Bonin, 93, Canadian left wing (Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens), four-time Stanley Cup champion (1955, 1958–1960)
* Tom McVie, 89, Canadian coach (Washington Capitals, Winnipeg Jets, New Jersey Devils), Avco Cup champion (1979)
* George Faulkner, 91, Canadian left winger and defenceman (Shawinigan-Falls Cataracts, Jacksonville Rockets)
* Willard Ikola, 92, American goaltender (Detroit Auto Club, Michigan Wolverines), coach (Edina High School), and scout (New York Islanders), Olympic silver medalist (1956)
* Shawn Simpson, 56, Canadian goaltender (Baltimore Skipjacks), scout (Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs), and television broadcaster (TSN)

### February

* Richard Meredith, 92, American forward (Minnesota Golden Gophers, Minneapolis Millers), Olympic gold medalist (1960) and silver medalist (1956)
* Miika Elomo, 47, Finnish left wing (TPS, Washington Capitals, Espoo Blues) and coach (Jokers de Cergy-Pontoise)
* Mike Lange, 76, American radio and television broadcaster (Pittsburgh Penguins), Foster Hewitt Memorial Award winner
* Al Trautwig, 68, American television broadcaster (New York Rangers)

### March

* Dick Cherry, 87, Canadian defenceman (Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers)
* Claude Verret, 61, Canadian centre (Buffalo Sabres, HC Rouen, Lausanne HC)
* Tomas Kloucek, 45, Czech defenceman (New York Rangers, Nashville Predators, Atlanta Thrashers)
* Fedor Malykhin, 34, Russian forward (Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg, Ak Bars Kazan, HC Vityaz)