Belgium men's national ice hockey team

Belgium

The Belgian national ice hockey team is currently 36th in the IIHF World Ranking (as of May 2012) and plays at the world championships in Division II

History

In the first four decades of the 20th century, Belgium was one of the top nations in ice hockey and could boast numerous successes. During her first four appearances at the Ice Hockey Championship, the Belgians could each win a medal, three bronze medals in 1913 and even the gold medal as the European champions. Only the participation in the European Championships in 1912 has been omitted, which was later declared by the IIHF due to the lack of association membership Austria invalid.

Belgium took part in the first three Olympic hockey tournaments, which were at the same time as the World Cup. In attendance at the Winter Games in 1932 in Lake Placid Belgium waived like most European participants for cost reasons, but resigned Winter Games in 1936 in Garmisch -Partenkirchen again. From down in the 1950 Criterium Eurepéen Belgium (later the B- World Cup) could in the subsequent period not recover and played from 1961 only in the C and D World Cup. Was professionalized during the sport of ice hockey in the other European countries increase, it developed in Belgium to a fringe sport. Only 2004 Belgium played again in the Division I mentioned second highest power stage of the World Championships, but went straight back to Division II from where it has performed since then. As part of the IIHF structural reform for the World Cup 2012 Belgium was classified in fifth rate Division II, Group B, . However, the direct promotion to the next higher division ( Division II, Group A ) was realized in the same year.

Results at World Championships

• 2000 - 2nd place D- Cup
• 2001 - 5th Place Division II, Group B
• 2002 - 2nd Place Division II, Group A
• 2003 - 1st place Division II, Group B
• 2004 - 6th Place Division I, Group B
• 2005 - 4th place Division II, Group B
• 2006 - 3rd Place Division II, Group A
• 2007 - 2nd Place Division II, Group A
• 2008 - 2nd Place Division II, Group A
• 2009 - 2nd Place Division II, Group B
• 2010 - 3rd Place Division II, Group A
• 2011 - 4th place Division II, Group A
• 2012 - 1st Place Division II, Group B
• 2013 - 2nd Place Division II, Group A