New IIHF President Franz Reindl is optimistic about the future of the game, from the highest levels of competition, featuring NHLers at the Olympics, to teams at the Division level looking to enhance their skills and player pool through development.
Here is Part 2 of IIHF.com’s exclusive interview (part 1 you can read HERE):
AP: Before, there were two women on Council and now there are four. Does that say something about the direction of women’s hockey, and do you think it will take on even greater importance in the next four years?
FR: It was wonderful to see the number of female representatives double on our Council. It’s a reflection of the game today. Women’s hockey is exploding. There are so many good players around the world. You watch the PWHL, the Women’s World Championships, the Olympics—it’s all very exciting to watch. It’s an exciting time to be a fan. And when we look at female leadership, we now have four women on Council—this is another great sign of the growth of women’s hockey.
AP: There have been a number of new initiatives over the last five years, and one that was important to your predecessor was 3x3 ice hockey. How do you see the development of this version of the game fitting in with the traditional game?
FR: They are two games. Five-on-five is our traditional game, but 3x3 is a way to help ice hockey grow, to bring more young people into our sport. It’s smaller ice surface, and other set of rules. I’ve seen it twice now, and it was fantastic – but it is different. It takes some adjusting to, but after a while, you get used to it. And you see the fans – they are so excited to watch. And that’s what we have to do—bring our sport to new people, in a different way.
AP: NHL players came back to the Olympics this year, and they’re committed for 2030 already. With 2034 in Salt Lake, it looks like they’ll be here for a while. Is it enough to have them at the Olympics, or are there other relationships with them you’d like to work on?
FR: I’m a big believer in not talking about each Olympics on its own, every couple of years. This should be a long-term partnership. The relationship I have with the NHL is good, and we have to find a way to create something really big for the future. The NHL is playing in Europe, and we have to find a way to align our calendars, to coordinate a little better. This will help all MNAs, all leagues, and all clubs in Europe. The cake is only so big, and we all have to share it – or make it bigger.
AP: When you speak with MNAs, what do you tell them about yourself and your connection to them?
FR: I’ve served on Council for ten years and have been involved in the IIHF for three decades. I hope the MNAs know me as someone they can always call—someone who listens, returns their calls and is ready to help, whether it’s an election year or not. The conversations I’ve had over the past four months have been incredibly valuable. I’ve learned so much by listening to their experiences, understanding their challenges and hearing their ambitions for our sport.
AP: Taking the other side of that conversation, when you talk to them, has there been one or two common themes that you’ve heard from a lot of federations?
FR: I’ve talked to so many people in person, at tournaments, and online, and I think the biggest thing that so many people talk about is communication. In some cases, they can’t find information, especially about development. So we have to improve on that.
AP: You are now the face of the IIHF, but there is also an entire Council by your side. How will you be a leader, but also open to ideas from others?
FR: I see myself as the captain, and a captain needs his team. We can only succeed together. My role is to give direction while making sure every Council member has a voice. We bring different experiences, perspectives and strengths, and we should make the most of that. By listening to one another and bringing our ideas together, we can build a shared strategy, agree on clear responsibilities and move forward as one team.
Here is Part 2 of IIHF.com’s exclusive interview (part 1 you can read HERE):
AP: Before, there were two women on Council and now there are four. Does that say something about the direction of women’s hockey, and do you think it will take on even greater importance in the next four years?
FR: It was wonderful to see the number of female representatives double on our Council. It’s a reflection of the game today. Women’s hockey is exploding. There are so many good players around the world. You watch the PWHL, the Women’s World Championships, the Olympics—it’s all very exciting to watch. It’s an exciting time to be a fan. And when we look at female leadership, we now have four women on Council—this is another great sign of the growth of women’s hockey.
AP: There have been a number of new initiatives over the last five years, and one that was important to your predecessor was 3x3 ice hockey. How do you see the development of this version of the game fitting in with the traditional game?
FR: They are two games. Five-on-five is our traditional game, but 3x3 is a way to help ice hockey grow, to bring more young people into our sport. It’s smaller ice surface, and other set of rules. I’ve seen it twice now, and it was fantastic – but it is different. It takes some adjusting to, but after a while, you get used to it. And you see the fans – they are so excited to watch. And that’s what we have to do—bring our sport to new people, in a different way.
AP: NHL players came back to the Olympics this year, and they’re committed for 2030 already. With 2034 in Salt Lake, it looks like they’ll be here for a while. Is it enough to have them at the Olympics, or are there other relationships with them you’d like to work on?
FR: I’m a big believer in not talking about each Olympics on its own, every couple of years. This should be a long-term partnership. The relationship I have with the NHL is good, and we have to find a way to create something really big for the future. The NHL is playing in Europe, and we have to find a way to align our calendars, to coordinate a little better. This will help all MNAs, all leagues, and all clubs in Europe. The cake is only so big, and we all have to share it – or make it bigger.
AP: When you speak with MNAs, what do you tell them about yourself and your connection to them?
FR: I’ve served on Council for ten years and have been involved in the IIHF for three decades. I hope the MNAs know me as someone they can always call—someone who listens, returns their calls and is ready to help, whether it’s an election year or not. The conversations I’ve had over the past four months have been incredibly valuable. I’ve learned so much by listening to their experiences, understanding their challenges and hearing their ambitions for our sport.
AP: Taking the other side of that conversation, when you talk to them, has there been one or two common themes that you’ve heard from a lot of federations?
FR: I’ve talked to so many people in person, at tournaments, and online, and I think the biggest thing that so many people talk about is communication. In some cases, they can’t find information, especially about development. So we have to improve on that.
AP: You are now the face of the IIHF, but there is also an entire Council by your side. How will you be a leader, but also open to ideas from others?
FR: I see myself as the captain, and a captain needs his team. We can only succeed together. My role is to give direction while making sure every Council member has a voice. We bring different experiences, perspectives and strengths, and we should make the most of that. By listening to one another and bringing our ideas together, we can build a shared strategy, agree on clear responsibilities and move forward as one team.