International Ice Hockey Federation
Ireland joined the IIHF in the 1990s, competing in the World Championships from 2004 to 2013; and the Development Cup from 2017 to Present
IIHF World
International Ice Hockey Federation (Ireland’s Record)
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IIHF World Championships; IIHF Development Cup
IIHF World Championships
International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships Division II / III 2004-2013
IIHF Development Cup (Seasons):
Elite Ice Hockey Leagues
As well as playing in the Elite Ice Hockey League (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), the Belfast Giants can compete in the Champions Hockey League (European Champions League)
Elite Ice Hockey League System
The SSE Arena in Belfast – Home of the Belfast Giants – BELFAST, UNITED KINGDOM – APRIL 25, 2022 / Photo 247673488 / Ireland © Erik Lattwein | Dreamstime.com
Champions Hockey League (Belfast Giants)(Seasons):
A+ Elite Ice Hockey League (Britain & Ireland) (Overviews)
Elite Ice Hockey League 2010-2018
Elite Ice Hockey League 2003-2010
Ice Hockey Superleague 2000-03
A+ Elite Ice Hockey League (Seasons):
A+ Ice Hockey Superleague (Seasons):
English National Ice Hockey League (Levels 3 & 4 in Britain)(Overviews):
English National Ice Hockey League Division 2 North 2008-2012
Celtic Ice Hockey Leagues
As well as the Elite Ice Hockey League (England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland – Pro Level 4 (A) in the National Hockey League (North America) system), there are also Celtic or Scottish Leagues which Irish teams have participated in since the 1980s, forming a bridge between the Pro Levels (EIHL) and the purely recreational or amateur Irish Leagues.
In the 1980s and 1990s teams from Castlereagh, based at Dundonald Ice Bowl entered Scottish or Northern English / Scottish Leagues, and then from 2008 to 2010 teams from both Dundonald and Dundalk Ice Bowls entered the Celtic League, which was more evenly distributed between Irish and Scottish sides.
Celtic Leagues & Cups
The SSE Arena in Belfast – Home of the Belfast Giants – BELFAST, UNITED KINGDOM – APRIL 25, 2022 / Photo 247673488 / Ireland © Erik Lattwein | Dreamstime.com
Scottish National League Ice Hockey (Seasons):
Celtic League Ice Hockey 2008-2010
Northern Premier League & Scottish National League Ice Hockey 1996-1999
Winter Cup (Aviemore) (Seasons):
Scottish Ice Hockey League Division 1 1988-1993
Scottish Ice Hockey League Division 1 (Seasons):
World Hockey Leagues
The Major Ice Hockey League systems around the World are the National Hockey League system (North America) which includes the American Hockey League, and has affiliates in the Elite Ice Hockey League and Australian Ice Hockey League (Commonwealth of Nations); Canadian Hockey League (Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League); Champions Hockey League (European Union Area); Kontinental Hockey League (Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States Area).
NHL National Hockey League
The National Hockey League was founded in Canada in 1917, and now has teams throughout Canada & USA. The World Hockey Association was a Major League rival to the NHL in the 1970s and merged with the NHL in 1979.
NHL North America
National Hockey League System
Featured Image: November 25, 2018 San Jose / CA / USA – SAP Center building close to downtown San Jose, south San Francisco bay area; multi-purpose sports and concert venue; home of the San Jose Sharks of the NHL Item ID: 1241602126 Congtributor Sundry Photography [Internet] Available from: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/november-25-2018-san-jose-ca-1241602126 [Accessed 17 March 2022][Edited by Enda Mulcahy for Eirball.ie]
NHL; WHA
(Major League) National Hockey League (USA & Canada) (Seasons):
NHL Division alignments:
(Major League) World Hockey Association (USA & Canada) (Overview):
World Hockey Association 1972-1979
Irish Major League Ice Hockey Directors:
Terry Kelly “Superfan” Irish Major League Ice Hockey Director 1991-2015
AHL American Hockey League
The American Hockey League system is aligned with the National Hockey League (NHL) and features AAA League the American Hockey League; AA League the ECHL; and A Leagues the Southern Professional Hockey League and the Federal League.
AHL America
American Hockey Leagues
November 25, 2018 San Jose / CA / USA – SAP Center building close to downtown San Jose, south San Francisco bay area; multi-purpose sports and concert venue; home of the San Jose Sharks of the NHL Item ID: 1241602126 Congtributor Sundry Photography [Internet] Available from: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/november-25-2018-san-jose-ca-1241602126 [Accessed 17 March 2022][Edited by Enda Mulcahy for Eirball.ie]
(AAA) American Hockey League (Pre-Seasons):
ECHL (AA American Ice Hockey) 2009-2015
(AA) ECHL (Pre-seasons):
(A) Southern Professional Hockey League (Seasons):
College & State Ice Hockey
Ice Hockey is the official State Sport of Minnesota.
Minnesota Hockey
people playing ice hockey on ice rink. pexels-photo-8974835. Photo by Ron Lach on Pexels.com
Minnesota Ice Hockey
AHA (Minnesota)
Minnesota Ice Hockey:
Adult Hockey Association Twin Cities Winter League 2011-Present
Adult Hockey Association Twin Cities Summer League 2013-Present
European Ice Hockey
As well as playing in the Elite Ice Hockey League (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), the Belfast Giants can compete in the Champions Hockey League (European Champions League)
CHL Europe
Champions Hockey League
The SSE Arena in Belfast – Home of the Belfast Giants – BELFAST, UNITED KINGDOM – APRIL 25, 2022 / Photo 247673488 / Ireland © Erik Lattwein | Dreamstime.com
European Champions Ice Hockey Leagues
Champions Hockey League (Belfast Giants)(Seasons):
European Inter-State Ice Hockey Leagues
Atlantic League (FRA-DEN-NED) (Seasons):
Balkan Ice Hockey Leagues (ROM-BUL-SER-CRO-SLO)
International Hockey League 2018-2020
European National Ice Hockey Leagues
English National Ice Hockey League
English National Ice Hockey League Division 2 North 2008-2012
Romanian Ice Hockey League (Seasons):
