Report: World Cup tournament will feature 6 national teams, 2 all-star teams

The rumored 2016 iteration of the World Cup of Hockey will use a unique format combining national teams with a pair of all-star squads, according to a report by Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.

Officials from the NHL, NHLPA and IIHF met in Toronto to discuss the World Cup prior to Monday's Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony. No official annoucement on the tournament has been made, but numerous reports suggest it will take place in Toronto in September 2016.

The tournament will feature teams from Canada, United States, Sweden, Finland, Russia and Czech Republic, as well as a team comprised of the best players from other European nations and a second mixed squad with undetermined parameters.

One idea apparently being considered for the second all-star team is to select younger players who were passed over for their respective national rosters.

The proposed format change eliminates the need for pre-tournament qualifying rounds to determine the final two spots. It also sets the 2016 World Cup apart from previous tournaments.

The last World Cup of Hockey took place in 2004. Germany and Slovakia rounded out the eight-team field for the tournament, which was played in seven cities across two continents. The 2004 Final was played in Toronto.