That's why it was a joke that proffessional players weren't allowed, but athletes from Soviet countries were.
Yeah, like boxers from Cuba are today ect.
Though, the whole anti proffesional/money thing dissapeared pretty fast in the late 60's and 70's. I guess it took a while before the NHL and IIHF sorted things out.
Though I just wanted to point out that it weren't a IIHF bias towards the North American hockey thing, it were IIHF bias against the NHL.
Every now and then there is talk about creating a
proffessional hockey league (meaning "private" a la NHL) in Europe, the IIHF always answears the same way. Everyone that plays for a private league in Europe will get suspended from the IIHF for life.
Personally I don't like stuff like that, but its also very important to point out the tremendous work the IIHF does to promote the game all over the world. They get a big portion of the TV cash from the WCH and other International tournaments and uses it to develop the game at youth levels all over the world.
Not a cent goes to any owners, since its a ideel organization, just like the Red Cross for example.
The IIHF also takes allot of heat from North Americans at times.
But its also important to remember that thoose who runs the IIHF are its members. Canada have as much power as any other of its members. So does USA.
Its often talked about as a organization that have any other interest then what Canada wants, they often acts like they are guests at any IIHF event. Thats not the case.