The IIHF coaching symposium has begun

On Saturday the 14th of May, the IIHF coaching symposium began in Moscow. 

The IIHF president Rene Fasel, RIHF president Vladislav Tretyak and RIHF vice-president Boris Mayorov opened the event with a speech:

Rene Fasel, IIHF president:

- This is the 29th IIHF coaching symposium. The main things for us are the safety of players and respect for the opponents, especially when we talk about youth/children's ice hockey, and coaches should know how to teach players these things. Also, we are discussing the issue of overtime. At World Championships, we play four on four, while in the NHL it is three on three.

Next week at the IIHF congress, we will decide who will run our organisation. We are working over the development of our game, and for now, I wish everyone an interesting seminar and an enjoyable World Championship.

Vladislav Tretyak, RIHF president:

- This is a special year for the Russian Ice Hockey Federation, and it marks 70 years of ice hockey in the country. We are grateful to the IIHF for giving us the opportunity to hold the World Championship in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, and here at the symposium, we can share our experiences and opinions on how to develop ice hockey. Coaches have a big role to play in ice hockey, and they decide the fate of players.

Boris Mayorov, RIHF vice-president:

- The last symposium that took place in our country was back in 2007, when we held the World Championship here. We cannot underestimate the role of coaches within teams. A coach should be able to assess the situation on the ice, and make corrections when needed. In this symposium, we can see where we need to improve. 

Honoured coach Vladimir Yurzinov is heading the symposium, and Canada Cup, Gagarin Cup and Stanley Cup winner Mike Keenan was the first to speak. He told us about the role of a coach, and about how to be a leader. The next was Alexander Khavanov, speaking about his experience in the NHL.

The IIHF coaching symposium will continue until the 15th of May. 230 Russian and 100 foreign coaches will work here, and they will also visit World Championship matches. 

Russian Ice Hockey Federation