Last week, I had the honour of representing Algeria at the 2025 IIHF Annual Congress and World Championships in Stockholm – and what a fantastic few days it was.
From the moment we arrived, the IIHF and the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation made us feel incredibly welcome. The organisation of both the congress and the tournament was world-class, and I want to thank everyone involved for the warm hospitality and seamless coordination throughout the event.
Building Global Connections
The congress was a great opportunity to catch up with colleagues from across the hockey world. I had the chance to speak with representatives from many member nations, including a chat with John Vanbiesbrouck of USA Hockey – an NHL legend and key figure in American hockey development.
It’s always inspiring to exchange ideas with others who share the same passion for growing the game.
Positive Momentum for African Hockey
One of the standout parts of this trip was the encouraging discussions around developing African ice hockey. There’s real momentum building, and I’m excited about the future of hockey in Algeria and the broader region.
We’ve still got work to do, but the support we’re seeing now is genuinely promising.
A Bit of Hockey and Tourism
Away from the congress, I had the chance to catch some great hockey. I attended USA vs Finland and Denmark vs Switzerland – both exciting matchups. Nikolaj Ehlers and Kevin Fiala were particularly impressive.
We also carved out some time to explore beautiful Stockholm with the family. A personal highlight was our visit to Skansen, the open-air museum and zoo – a great place to enjoy Swedish culture and nature with the kids.
Looking Ahead
This trip was a reminder of how global and connected our hockey community is becoming – and how important it is for nations like Algeria to be at the table.
We’re still growing, still building – but we’re here. And we’re just getting started.
Next stop: the Global Hockey Forum in Nice this September, and next year’s IIHF Congress in Zurich.
Looking forward to the journey ahead!
