IIHF exploring 3-on-3 Olympic hockey tournament
The IIHF is interested in introducing a three-on-three Olympic hockey tournament.
"We really believe in it," recently appointed president Luc Tardif said Tuesday, per Sportsnet's Luke Fox. "I think it's important to bring a new format. At the moment, the kids are zapping (between channels). They'd rather play a one-hour game twice than play two-and-a-half hours. They're following on TV four games at a time. So, we have to try to bring a new format."
Tardif's idea is under consideration by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) but nothing is imminent. Tardif admitted implementing the fast-paced format in time for the 2026 Milan Games is unlikely, but he's hopeful it can become a reality in 2030.
"More medals for hockey, that's not bad," Tardif said.
The NHL, IOC, and IIHF came to an agreement in September to send NHLers to the 2022 Beijing Games after they sat out the 2018 tournament in PyeongChang, South Korea.