IIHF press conference (Press conference)

The organising committee is expecting to make a profit from this event, which will be re-invested into ice hockey.

Around 160,000 litres of beer has been drunk during this tournament.

"The bar is very high now. We're very happy with what Marketa & her team have done" says Rene Fasel, on this year's competition.

Ms. Sterbova praises her OC's co-operation with the municipalities in both Prague and Ostrava, as well as the hotel managements in each city. She explains that she's only had positive reactions from people in both cities.

The use of 'hard glass' in Ostrava was brought up. Rene Fasel says it was discussed in the council, and it will be a rule that as of next year that arenas must have plexi-glass.

Rene Fasel praises the unique experience of having all teams, officials, and IIHF staff staying in one hotel together in each venue – he is very thankful to the Czech LOC for being able to arrange this.

A Finnish journalist brings up the question of officiating, and how the quality of their work is improved. "I'm not disappointed with our referees in this tournament. But it's a better of communication – next year we will give the referees the microphones like in the NHL, so they will explain the call from centre ice".

Rene Fasel confirms that the new Moscow Arena, 'Legend Park', will be used for next year's championships. It's a 12,000 seater with practise rinks too. In St. Petersburg, the organisers have decided to play in the Yubileyny, 7,000 seater, rink. He expects Finland will be put in the St. Petersburg group as it's easily accessible for the fans. The discussion about groups will take place next week after the new rankings are published, with the LOC having the ability to move one team.

"We've been speaking to the 2018 Organising Committee and the IOC, as well as with the NHL and NHLPA, but personally I think it will be more difficult to get the NHL players than it was before. Going to Vancouver and Sochi is a no-brainer, they're hockey countries. Korea isn't, but we'll work on it and do our best to have the best of the best there."

On the World Cup of Hockey, Mr. Fasel says "I like the way they're going to play it very much. We've also met with the federations to talk about bringing NHL players to this event. I really think it'll be an unbelievable show in Toronto 2016".

Mr Fasel is asked about the World Cup of Hockey, Olympics 2018, and annual Championships.

On the latter, he cites the 700,000 attendance and 1 billion people watching on tv... "I'd like to play this tournament twice a year!" he jokes. "There is no wish to play this tournament to play this tournament every two years, from anyone. "

Rene Fasel is challenged over the decision to allow the Czech team to stay in Prague in the quarterfinals, while Sweden had to travel to Ostrava. He answers "The schedule was decided before the tournament. No-one complained from the Swedish team. Back in 2002 Slovakia had to travel to a different arena, and ended up winning the championship."

A question no the relegation format, especially ni Group A with the 3-way tie. Rene Fasel asks the journalist if he saw the game, because he didn't think there was any cheating. He also says there were no unusual betting behaviours on the match, so the IIHF is satisfied everything was above board.

"And on the ice, we've not had one single concussion so far in the tournament, which has never happened before. We've had discussions on officiating, this is normal – especially from the losing team – but nothing major. We are happy!"

"Fantastic arenas, full of people, fans all smiling from all over the world! We've had no problems in the fan villages, all fans have been drinking lots of beer but everything is in a great atmosphere. Everyone is happy!"

Rene Fasel says "Hockey & smile was the slogan for this championships, and it's so true... everywhere you go, people are smiling – at the reception, arena, all the volunteers – everyone is smiling!"

Ms. Sterbova says "Two years ago, I received from our Czech Federation President one task... to prepare the best event. Now I hope I can say that we've fulfilled it. I mist thanks our team, and the Czech Federation, for their support."

Adam Steiss (IIHF Communications Manager), Rene Fasel (IIHF President), and Marketa Sterbova (General Secretary of Czech 2015 Organising Committee) have taking their seats.

Welcome to the press conference area in the O2 arena, Prague. We're just waiting for the press conference to get underway.

Welcome. Event starts at 14:00.

		That's the end of the press conference. (14:34:01)
		The organising committee is expecting to make a profit from this event, which will be re-invested into ice hockey.
		Around 160,000 litres of beer has been drunk during this tournament.
		"The bar is very high now. We're very happy with what Marketa & her team have done" says Rene Fasel, on this year's competition.
		Ms. Sterbova praises her OC's co-operation with the municipalities in both Prague and Ostrava, as well as the hotel managements in each city. She explains that she's only had positive reactions from people in both cities.
		The use of 'hard glass' in Ostrava was brought up. Rene Fasel says it was discussed in the council, and it will be a rule that as of next year that arenas must have plexi-glass.
		Rene Fasel praises the unique experience of having all teams, officials, and IIHF staff staying in one hotel together in each venue – he is very thankful to the Czech LOC for being able to arrange this.
		A Finnish journalist brings up the question of officiating, and how the quality of their work is improved. "I'm not disappointed with our referees in this tournament. But it's a better of communication – next year we will give the referees the microphones like in the NHL, so they will explain the call from centre ice".
		Rene Fasel confirms that the new Moscow Arena, 'Legend Park', will be used for next year's championships. It's a 12,000 seater with practise rinks too. In St. Petersburg, the organisers have decided to play in the Yubileyny, 7,000 seater, rink. He expects Finland will be put in the St. Petersburg group as it's easily accessible for the fans. The discussion about groups will take place next week after the new rankings are published, with the LOC having the ability to move one team.
		"We've been speaking to the 2018 Organising Committee and the IOC, as well as with the NHL and NHLPA, but personally I think it will be more difficult to get the NHL players than it was before. Going to Vancouver and Sochi is a no-brainer, they're hockey countries. Korea isn't, but we'll work on it and do our best to have the best of the best there."
		On the World Cup of Hockey, Mr. Fasel says "I like the way they're going to play it very much. We've also met with the federations to talk about bringing NHL players to this event. I really think it'll be an unbelievable show in Toronto 2016".
		Mr Fasel is asked about the World Cup of Hockey, Olympics 2018, and annual Championships. On the latter, he cites the 700,000 attendance and 1 billion people watching on tv... "I'd like to play this tournament twice a year!" he jokes. "There is no wish to play this tournament to play this tournament every two years, from anyone. "
		Rene Fasel is challenged over the decision to allow the Czech team to stay in Prague in the quarterfinals, while Sweden had to travel to Ostrava. He answers "The schedule was decided before the tournament. No-one complained from the Swedish team. Back in 2002 Slovakia had to travel to a different arena, and ended up winning the championship."
		A question no the relegation format, especially ni Group A with the 3-way tie. Rene Fasel asks the journalist if he saw the game, because he didn't think there was any cheating. He also says there were no unusual betting behaviours on the match, so the IIHF is satisfied everything was above board.
		"And on the ice, we've not had one single concussion so far in the tournament, which has never happened before. We've had discussions on officiating, this is normal – especially from the losing team – but nothing major. We are happy!"
		"Fantastic arenas, full of people, fans all smiling from all over the world! We've had no problems in the fan villages, all fans have been drinking lots of beer but everything is in a great atmosphere. Everyone is happy!"
		Rene Fasel says "Hockey & smile was the slogan for this championships, and it's so true... everywhere you go, people are smiling – at the reception, arena, all the volunteers – everyone is smiling!"
		Ms. Sterbova says "Two years ago, I received from our Czech Federation President one task... to prepare the best event. Now I hope I can say that we've fulfilled it. I mist thanks our team, and the Czech Federation, for their support."
		Adam Steiss (IIHF Communications Manager), Rene Fasel (IIHF President), and Marketa Sterbova (General Secretary of Czech 2015 Organising Committee) have taking their seats.
		Welcome to the press conference area in the O2 arena, Prague. We're just waiting for the press conference to get underway.
		Welcome. Event starts at 14:00.