This Day in Hockey History – May 15, 1908 – International Ice Hockey
Although predecessors of ice hockey were played across the pond, in 1908, hockey truly came into its own in Europe. On 15 May, a meeting at 34 rue de Provence in Paris, France established the organization that became known as the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).
According to the IIHF website, France first hosted unofficial hockey games in 1897. About five years later, England held the first competitive games. In 1905, Belgium and France played each other in the first two international games, at Brussels. That French team, Club de Patineurs de Paris, was formed by Louis Magnus.
In an effort to codify rules for ice hockey, Magnus hosted a meeting at his home. In addition to two fellow Parisian executives, five representatives from Great Britain, Belgium, and Switzerland attended. Signing the founding document, they formed the Ligue International de Hockey sur Glace (LIHG). Naturally, they chose Magnus as president, and they also named Robert Planque (of France) as general secretary. The LIHG would focus on hockey, unlike the preexistent International Ice Skating Union. From that point on, the sport would be regulated throughout the member organizations.
The LIHG held their second congress early in 1909. They established various rules and held the 1909 Coupe de Chamonix. Great Britain’s team, Princes Ice Hockey Club, won. The following year, the championships took place at Switzerland, and Great Britain again won.
Before 1908 ended, Bohemia (later Czechoslovakia, now Czech Republic) joined. The following year, Germany became the sixth member. The next group to join, in 1912, included Austria, Luxembourg, and Sweden. Canada and the U.S.A. joined for the 1920 Olympics. Today, the IIHF membership totals 56, with 19 associate members and one affiliate. The IIHF sets international rules and officiating guidelines and supervises the Olympic Games and World Championships (for juniors, men, and women).
