IIHF women's worlds delayed

The IIHF women's world hockey championship has been pushed back a month.

The 2021 international tournament, which was originally scheduled for April 7 to 17 in Halifax and Truro, is now tentatively booked for May 6-16.

Final approvals have not been made by federal or provincial health authorities. A news release from the International Ice Hockey Federation said Hockey Canada and the host organizing committee continue to work with federal and provincial government officials and medical experts in the Nova Scotia to develop and build a medical plan that will ensure the safety of players, coaches and staff.

“Hosting a successful world championship this season means ensuring the health and safety of everyone involved, which continues to be our top priority,” Hockey Canada president and chief operating officer Scott Smith said in a news release. “Hockey Canada and the host organizing committee are committed to working with the appropriate health authorities and listening to the direction of medical experts to build a safe and strong hosting plan.”

It is anticipated that a limited number of fans may be able to attend games at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax and the Rath Eastlink Community Centre in Truro. The exact capacity will be known closer to the tournament.

Halifax and Truro were slated to host the 2020 women's worlds from March 31 to April 10. But the tournament was one of the first international sporting events shelved because of the rapidly-spreading coronavirus.

“We understand the disappointment of having the event cancelled last spring and delaying the start of the IIHF women's world championship this year,” Smith said, “but we know the extra time to prepare will help us provide a world-class experience for the participants while maintaining the health and safety of all participants and the community at large.”

During the preliminary round, the Scotiabank Centre will host Group A teams Canada, the 2019 women's world champion United States, Finland, Russia and Switzerland.

Group B teams Japan, the Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark and Hungary will play their preliminary games in Truro.

The quarter-finals will consist of the Group A teams and the top three teams from Group B.

Gina Kingsbury, director of Hockey Canada's women's national teams, said “our team is grateful to the IIHF and Hockey Canada for their commitment to hosting a world championship this season under difficult circumstances.”

“The cancellation of the 2020 IIHF women's world championship was very difficult for our athletes, coaches and staff,” Kingsbury said in a release.

“The anticipation to compete in a women's worlds on home ice in Halifax and Truro has been building amongst our team for many, many months, and we are excited about the opportunity to return to the east coast. This event is critical for our preparations for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, and we look forward to competing for a gold medal.”

The IIHF has pledged to increase its financial support for the tournament, in order to reduce the financial burden for the organizing committee due to higher costs and decreased ticket revenues as well as to subsidize the higher travel and accommodation costs for the teams.

“We know how important this event is in the women's ice hockey calendar, especially considering that we could not have a tournament last season and now with the Olympics on the horizon,” IIHF president Rene Fasel said in a news release.

“Our member national associations expressed concerns over the associated costs that come with operating a tournament in the current global environment, and I am glad we were able fill the gap and ensure the women's world championship can take place with all 10 teams.”