HENRIK
BACH
NIELSEN

CANDIDATE FOR

IIHF PRESIDENT

JOIN ME AND LET’S MAKE A BIG MOVE FORWARD

Now is the time to make our sport truly global. Now is the time to break down the barriers that have traditionally stopped the growth of ice hockey in so many countries. Now is the time for courage, energy and strong leadership. Join me and let’s make a big move forward: all of us – together!

WHAT DO I STAND FOR

WHAT I STAND FOR

For too long, international ice hockey has been relying on only a few nations to carry us. They have done a great job, but looking ahead at the next chapter of the IIHF, I believe it is the right time for us to truly become a global sport. I believe it is time to dramatically expand the number of countries competing on a high level and able to host our events.

To do this, we need to break down the barriers that have traditionally stopped the growth of our sport in so many countries. We must break down the structural, financial and mental barriers that are holding ice hockey back.

While we must continue to support the growth of our current leading nations, we must accelerate the development of many other nations. We have tremendous opportunities for growth around the world – like in Asia where there is great opportunity for our sport.

We can then all benefit from the growth of our sport because we will have a greater global audience, an increased appeal for commercial and broadcast opportunities and more inspiration for young people to join our sport in many more countries.

You might think this is dreaming. But I know from my own experience, as President of Danish Ice Hockey, how it is actually possible to move forward and to close the gap. In Denmark we were able to do so because we broke-down the barriers that for many years prevented us from realising our full potential.

Hockey in Denmark has grown tremendously over the last years – our membership continues to rise, we are now playing at the highest level internationally and we successfully hosted the IIHF World Championships in Denmark for the first time ever in 2018.

I know that growth is possible, however, it takes courage, energy, and strong leadership.

I was recently re-elected as President of my national hockey association and have been an active member of the IIHF Council for almost ten years. Now, at 55 years old, I feel that I have both the experience and the energy needed to serve as your next IIHF President and to secure a continued and dedicated leadership for the years to come.

Now is the time to make a big move forward; all of us – together!

BREAKING DOWN
STRUCTURAL BARRIERS

To grow globally we need to create stronger partnerships at the national level with governments and national Olympic committees to get support for investments in infrastructure and increased access to equipment.

We need to change the perception of the IIHF so that we can open new doors. I will lead the IIHF to become viewed as a trusted, reliable, and modern organisation so that we can move closer to partners around the world, including the EU Commission and UN agencies, to overcome the structural barriers that are holding us back.

During my time in the IIHF council, I was leading the adjustments of structure and timing of our Olympic Qualification as well the creation of the IIHF Senior Vice President position. One of my future focus areas will be the development of a comprehensive strategy for development and expansion of our sport in Asia.

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BREAKING DOWN
FINANCIAL BARRIERS

The IIHF cannot finance the growth of hockey around the world alone. Every nation needs to develop its own sustainable finance model and work hard to increase their own revenues.

However, IIHF can help to kick start the development, and I promise you that IIHF will focus on targeted, direct financial support to countries – well-established and as well as developing - that have a clear plan and that have the will to carry out such a plan.

One of the things we will have to adjust is the prize money related to our World Championships, where the participating Nations must receive a larger share in the future. This must go hand in hand with an increased level of transparency regarding the IIHF budget.

BREAKING DOWN
MENTAL BARRIERS

Our own perceptions have held us back for far too long. We seem to have accepted that we are a sport that can only thrive in a few countries in the Northern hemisphere. That we are an inaccessible sport for many people. This mentality needs to change.

We must be open to innovation and new ways of doing things so that we can grow globally. I will lead that change within the IIHF, and each member association will lead that change within their own countries – we will work together.

My experience from the Danish national federation has proven to me that it is possible to break the mental barriers. Few people believed that we could host the World Championships in 2018, but it turned out to be an incredible success on all fronts - and it will now be followed by the 2025 World Championships in Sweden/Denmark. If you can dream it, you can do it!

DOWNLOAD

Henrik Bach Nielsen has outlined his 1st Line – five key priority areas for his first year of IIHF Presidency in a clear and concise document. Download it now to find out more.

DOWNLOAD DOCUMENT

LATEST NEWS

Join me and let's make a big move forward for ice hockey - together!

Sept. 21, 2021

IIHF presidential candidate Bach Nielsen proposes fewer World Championship events

Sept. 14, 2021

Bach Nielsen has "very specific proposals" as part of IIHF Presidential bid

Sept. 9, 2021

To move ice hockey forward, let’s increase our Olympic opportunities

Sept. 7, 2021

To move ice hockey forward, let’s balance tournament frequency and investment in development

August. 19, 2021

Henrik Bach Nielsen, candidate for IIHF President, releases his top priorities

August. 03, 2021

Your feedback is so valuable

July. 21, 2021

Strong endorsement from Danish Olympic Committee

July. 05, 2021

Henrik Bach Nielsen announces candidature for IIHF president

July. 05, 2021

NEWS

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GET IN TOUCH

I am eager to speak with the entire IIHF family over the coming months so we can build the future together.

I’d love to hear from you. I can be reached directly at president@ishockey.dk.

For media inquiries, contact Caroline Anderson: can@ishockey.dk.

You can also sign-up below to receive updates over the coming months, delivered directly to your inbox.

CONTACT

HENRIK BACH NIELSEN