New-look World Cup of Hockey will return in 2016

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NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced on Saturday that the World Cup of Hockey will return in September 2016. The two-week tournament is scheduled to take place in Toronto, Ontario, with more than 150 NHL players expected to participate.

"We are thrilled to partner with the NHLPA in planning and producing what we expect will be the world's best international hockey tournament," Bettman said during a press conference at Nationwide Arena. "The 2016 World Cup of Hockey will highlight not only our global reach, but also the skill and passion of the world's best athletes. We would like to thank our international partners — the IIHF and their members — for their cooperation in helping to make this event a reality."

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The last World Cup of Hockey was played in 2004. Toronto hosted the championship game in which Canada beat Finland. The only other World Cup of Hockey to be played took place in 1996.

"We expect the 2016 World Cup of Hockey to be the most competitive tournament of its kind, with the world's top players and best athletes," NHLPA Executive Director Don Fehr said. "We look forward to working with the NHL, and the IIHF and its Federations on this extraordinary event. We expect that this is the initial step in a series of events that will elevate our game over the next few years, including a World Cup in 2020."

In a creative effort to try something different, the NHL is offering an intriguing new look to an old tradition. The tournament will feature national teams from the traditionally powerful United States, Canada, Russia, Sweden, Finland and Czech Republic. It will also feature Team Europe and Team North American Youngstars, two all-star teams that will bring a new twist to the tournament. Team Europe will feature players from Europe outside of the four European national teams that have already been selected while Team North American Youngstars will feature the best hockey players aged 23 and younger from Canada and the United States.

Rosters for the eight teams will include 23 players, 20 skaters and three goalies. According to CBC Sports, the winning team will receive $1 million to split between the national federation and players while the second-place team will receive $500,000.

These changes come as part of a bigger plan for international competition that could include a Ryder Cup style tournament in 2018 and a larger World Cup in 2020.

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