Quote:12. Written, 50 to 200+ words. Is It Always The Same?
IIHF is short tournaments with only 12 round robin games for each team, which leads to huge swings from season to season when it comes to standings. Same is true for the WJC as well. With that in mind what do you think will be different from last season? Do you expect things to change for your team or player? And what you expect to stay the same?

Billy Herrington was disappointed with Team Canada’s performance last season, especially after their gold medal run the year before. Not making it to the medal rounds was a hard pill to swallow, but it’s only fueled his desire to improve for the next tournament. The sting of falling short has pushed him to analyze what went wrong and where he can step up in future games. One of Billy’s biggest takeaways was that international play is unpredictable. With only 12 round-robin games, there’s little room for error, and the swings from season to season are huge. Billy understands now that every game, every shift, every small mistake can add up to big consequences. That’s why he’s focusing on refining his play to eliminate any inconsistency, making sure he can be counted on in crucial moments. He’s also been reviewing game footage from the tournament, not just of his own play, but also to better understand the strategies other teams used to disrupt Canada’s flow. Billy knows that things need to change for Team Canada if they want to contend again. They’ve got the talent, but they’ll need more cohesion and smarter decision-making on the ice. One thing that will stay the same, however, is Billy’s dedication to the team and his drive to perform at an even higher level. He’s already preparing for next season’s tournament, determined to lead Canada back to medal contention and prove that last year’s result was just a temporary setback.

Quote:13. Written, 50 to 200+ words. Out With The Old, In With The New
Team Russia got replaced by Quebec, which for sure got people talking about the IIHF. What other nations/regions would you like to see get their own team? Would you think they should replace current teams and if so which ones would you seek to replace? And most importantly, why you think that teams you picked would be more interesting or improve the IIHF in general?

Having a Team Antarctica in the IIHF would be an awesome idea. Just picture it—a squad made up of players training in the icy wilderness, getting to skate on frozen lakes year-round! The weather might be rough with freezing temperatures and minimal sunlight, but that’s exactly what makes it a unique training ground. Players would get used to harsh conditions and learn how to adapt their game to different environments, which could really help them when they compete internationally. Think about it: players training on glacial surfaces, creating their own ice rinks, and developing some wild skills that we just don’t see from other teams. And who knows? This could attract players from warmer regions looking to sharpen their skills during the offseason or even during the season. They might want to take advantage of the chance to play in an environment that’s unlike anything else out there. Adding a Team Antarctica would definitely bring some fresh energy to the league. It’d give fans something new to root for and create some buzz around the sport. You can already imagine the fun rivalries that would develop as players from other nations face off against a team made up of polar hockey stars. It’s an idea that could shake things up in the IIHF, making for some thrilling matches and a unique story every season. Plus, it would be a cool way to showcase hockey in an unexpected place, proving that the sport can thrive anywhere, even in the coldest conditions!