Franz Reindl has been elected president of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), securing the position on the IIHF Congress in Tenerife just weeks before reaching the governing body’s mandatory age limit. The former president of the German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) won the election in the second round of voting, defeating former DEL goaltender Petr Briza by a margin of 60 to 57 votes.
A Final Campaign for the IIHF Presidency
Reindl’s victory comes at a critical juncture, as the IIHF statutes mandate that presidential candidates cannot be older than 72. With his 72nd birthday arriving on November 24, this election represented his final opportunity to lead the world governing body. Reindl previously challenged for the presidency five years ago but was defeated by the outgoing president, Luc Tardif. During that campaign, Reindl faced allegations of embezzlement; however, the public prosecutor’s office later dropped the investigation. In a recent interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung, Reindl acknowledged that the controversy had negatively impacted his previous bid.
Reindl Seeks Better NHL Communication for Olympic Participation
Upon taking office, Reindl identified the relationship with the National Hockey League (NHL) as a primary focus for his tenure. He expressed a desire to improve communication to avoid the recurring complications regarding the availability of NHL players for the Olympic Games. The issue of securing top-tier talent for international tournaments remains a significant logistical challenge, as evidenced by the difficult negotiations required for NHL participation in the February games in Milan, which marked the first time players from the league competed in the Olympics since 2014 in Sochi.
Potential Reforms to the World Championship Schedule
Reindl has signaled an openness to restructuring the IIHF World Championship, a move that could be implemented as early as 2033. The tournament is currently held annually in May, a period that overlaps with the NHL playoffs and limits the participation of top professional players. Reindl noted that while the current schedule is driven by financial requirements, there are various ideas under consideration, including changing the frequency of the event to every two, three, or four years. He also intends to address the competitive threat posed by the NHL’s plan to re-establish the World Cup of Hockey, emphasizing the need for better alignment between the two organizations' international calendars.
A Career Defined by German Hockey Leadership
A native of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Reindl brings decades of experience to the IIHF. As a player, he was a three-time German champion with SC Riessersee and Sportbund Rosenheim and earned 181 caps for the German national team, including a bronze medal at the 1976 Winter Olympics. Following his playing career, he served the DEB in multiple capacities, including sport director, general secretary, and managing director, before serving as president from 2014 to 2022. He also served as the interim national team coach in 2004. Frank Lutz, the current chairman of the DEB, praised the election result, stating that the international trust placed in Reindl is a significant recognition of his long-standing contributions to the sport.
Reindl Faces Term Limits Before 2030 Election
Reindl succeeds 73-year-old Luc Tardif and becomes the second German to lead the IIHF, following Günther Sabtezki, who held the office from 1975 to 1994. Due to the age-limit statutes of the IIHF, Reindl will be ineligible to run for re-election when the next cycle concludes in 2030. His immediate focus remains on building the necessary institutional framework for his proposed reforms during his current term.
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