IIHF International Hockey Rankings

by Derek Zona on Mar 28, 2010 6:30 AM MDT in International hockey

DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Bob LaJuenesse of Australia chases Chris Eaden of New Zealand. (Photo by ODT/Getty Images)

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The IIHF posted their new international rankings after the Olympics, and suprisingly, the United States is fifth in the world and Russia is somehow second. The explanation of the rankings criteria can be found here. The key bit:

The IIHF World Ranking is based on awarding points for the final positions in the last four IIHF World Championships and in the last Olympic Ice Hockey Tournament.

The rankings are just below the jump.

The top eight teams are standard and expected, but after Switzerland, things really just go nutty. Germany, traditionally the top dog in at the bottom of the pile is ranked twelfth, below Belarus, Latvia and Norway.

Mexico is the biggest gainer on the list, up six places to #32. Mexico Hockey is gaining on the world. Need a jersey? The green ones are actually pretty nice-looking.

Korea, Australia and Belgium all fell three places.

Other interesting things on the list? How about #45 Mongolia? Mongolia has a hockey team? Why, yes they do. In fact, they have a six team hockey league! I'm rooting for Zolboot this year.

North Korea is #43, and by "team" on the national roster, they apparently have a hockey league. I can't imagine an in-game experience in North Korea.

		Points	Movement
1	Canada	4105	+1
2	Russia	3965	-1
3	Finland	3880	+1
4	Sweden	3855	-1
5	United States	3825	0
6	Czech Republic	3655	0
7	Slovakia	3470	+2
8	Switzerland	3465	-1
9	Belarus	3400	-1
10	Latvia	3285	0
11	Norway	3270	0
12	Germany	3145	0
13	Denmark	3085	0
14	Austria	2955	+2
15	Italy	2860	0
16	France	2860	-2
17	Ukraine	2805	+2
18	Slovenia	2755	-1
19	Kazakhstan	2745	-1
20	Hungary	2675	0
21	Japan	2565	0
22	Poland	2415	0
23	Lithuania	2355	0
24	Great Britain	2335	+1
25	Netherlands	2185	-1
26	Estonia	2155	+1
27	Croatia	2150	-1
28	Romania	2000	0
29	Serbia	1810	+3
30	Spain	1705	+4
31	Bulgaria	1540	+4
32	Mexico	1525	+6
33	Korea	1395	-3
34	Australia	1385	-3
35	China	1260	-6
36	Belgium	1255	-3
37	Turkey	1230	+4
38	Israel	1070	-2
39	Iceland	1030	-2
40	New Zealand	850	-1
41	South Africa	790	-1
42	Ireland	720	0
43	DPR Korea	705	0
44	Luxembourg	700	0
45	Mongolia	515	0
46	Greece	440	0
47	Bosnia and Herzegovina	150	0
48	Armenia	70	0

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Comments

Why would the US rank surprise you? They have 1 medal in about 6 tournaments (last 2 Olympics and the last 4 world championships) over 5 years? World Jr’s do not count towards the ranking and at the senior level the US only seem to do well on NHL sized rinks every 8 years or so. Russia has 2 Gold medals in a row at the World Championships to gain their high ranking.

by Czechboy on Mar 28, 2010 10:16 AM MDT reply actions

Eh oh, Armenia go!

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on Mar 28, 2010 10:36 AM MDT reply actions 1 recs

i hate pepsi and their cheer

by SumOil on Mar 28, 2010 10:45 AM MDT up reply actions

Me too. That’s why I thought it might fit for the bottom-ranked team.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on Mar 28, 2010 12:41 PM MDT up reply actions

I agree. Thus, why I rec’d.

SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.

by Doogie2K on Mar 28, 2010 6:46 PM MDT up reply actions

Bottom-ranked, but they have excellent sweaters!

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Mar 28, 2010 11:17 PM MDT up reply actions

It’s gotta suck that they’re ranked below Bosnia and Herzegovina in the world rankings, given Armenia walloped B&H 18-1 on the ice, but had to forfeit because they didn’t show their passports. Oh well, in 2010 the Div III Worlds are right in Armenia. Should be a great opportunity to move up, maybe even make the Top 45.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and primary shareholder of Zorg Industries

"Never be ashamed of who you are" -- Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

by Bruce McCurdy on Mar 29, 2010 8:58 AM MDT up reply actions

it fits!!!!!

by SumOil on Mar 29, 2010 9:17 PM MDT up reply actions

The Armenia sweater?

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Mar 29, 2010 10:08 PM MDT up reply actions

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