Petr Bříza stands among the frontrunners to become the next president of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), with voting set to take place on Tenerife. The 61-year-old former senior vice president aims to succeed outgoing president Luc Tardif, though his candidacy faces diplomatic hurdles, a crowded field of contenders, and behind-the-scenes lobbying from Russian factions.
The Contenders and the Voting Patterns on Tenerife
Nine candidates have officially entered the race for the IIHF presidency, though Czech ice hockey association general secretary Jan Černý noted that up to half of those contenders are expected to withdraw before the final vote to back stronger candidates. Černý explained that representatives from developing hockey nations often enter presidential races primarily to gain visibility for subsequent executive board elections.
In the final stages, Bříza is widely expected to compete against German candidate Franz Reindl. Bříza’s candidacy benefits from four to five years of experience within the IIHF executive executive branch, alongside his role in organizing the 2024 men’s World Championship and the 2025 women’s tournament, which officials noted as the most successful in history. Černý also pointed out a key demographic advantage for Bříza: at 71 years old, Reindl reaches an age limit where he could serve only a single term, whereas Bříza remains eligible for multiple terms.
The voting body consists of approximately 60 full members of the IIHF holding one vote each, supplemented by an additional vote granted to any nation that has participated in the senior World Championships over the past three years. The Czech Republic holds two votes on the congress floor. To secure the presidency, a candidate must capture a majority of the ballots in a series of elimination rounds where the lowest-ranking candidate is dropped.
Geopolitical Friction and the Question of Russian Reintegration
The incoming IIHF president will immediately face intense debate over the potential return of Russian and Belarusian national teams to international competition. While Belarus is scheduled to participate in the upcoming IIHF U18 World Championship—where they face the Czech Republic in their opening match—the broader senior-level ban remains a contentious diplomatic issue.
Černý stated that although Russia does not hold a vote at the Tenerife congress, delegations from former Soviet states continue to coordinate behind the scenes to influence the election through allied federations. Despite this tactical alignment, Černý expressed confidence that the IIHF will maintain its strict stance on the exclusion of Russian teams from major tournaments, noting that European hosting nations bear heavy financial and operational responsibilities that preclude outside mandates on tournament composition.
