Hockey fans in Bracknell, England, may get a glimpse of the future this Sunday. The British town's Ozone Link is hosting an IIHF 3×3 tournament aimed at helping develop the new format for a potential Olympic debut in 2030.
The four-team Intermotoor Ozone 3×3 test event on April 14 will see professional athletes from the British National Championship take part in 3×3 action, while the IIHF will compete at the 2020 Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne and recently in South Korea. We are looking to build on the success of the U16 competition at the 2024 Games. .
There are currently long-term plans to introduce 3×3 hockey to the 2030 Winter Olympics in France.
“We had a lot of discussions with the IOC members in Gangneung,” said IIHF Councilor Reto Raffiner. “These are interesting times because France is scheduled to host the Games in 2030 and our president, Luc Tardif, has good relations with the national organizing committee. We are very excited for both countries to bring 3×3 to the Olympics. We know there's an interest in that, and that's where the energy behind this comes from.”
In the past, the IIHF has participated in youth 3×3 tournaments for U16 players. The next step is to see how it works with adult players. A recent event in Latvia provided a glimpse of men's 3×3, and this weekend's competition will add to that experience.
The four teams competing in Bracknell include professional players from the UK's top two tiers, the British Elite League and the NIHL. Also in attendance will be his two clubs in the NIHL South, Slough Jets and Cardiff Fire, as well as Scotland's select roster and a select team supported by tournament streaming sponsor, his HiRef UK.
“We've been involved with 3×3 for several years, but it's always been with kids,” Raffiner added. “Now we need to get adult players to try it out too. That’s why we asked Ice Hockey UK to line up the best players available to take part in Sunday’s event. This is for amateurs only. We have elite league professionals participating and we hope that the standards will be as high as possible.”
Spectators who have only ever seen 3×3 in overtime of a 5×5 game will see something different. This is a fast and free scoring hockey format. In his first three days at the Youth Olympic Games, he averaged 16 goals per match. Each shift is controlled by his 45 second timer and the action is relentless. For hockey newbies, this game is an exciting introduction.
As a result, there is a lot of interest from member national associations, especially non-traditional hockey countries. One of the big appeals of 3×3 is that it lowers the barrier for emerging hockey programs. Instead of needing a 25-man strong roster, in 3×3 he has 11 skaters and his two goalies. It will be possible to use smaller ice pads, allowing many leisure facilities to compete for the first time. Tunisia are looking forward to hosting the Africa Cup in a 3×3 format, while Brazil have officially applied to host a women's 3×3 development event in the autumn. On the other hand, a smaller number will help him move closer to his goal of achieving 100% national team registration eligibility in developmental events.
“One of our goals is to develop a small nation in 3×3. Sunday's event is also for our associate members,” Raffiner concluded. “But of course we want to make that Olympic dream a reality and bring a second hockey sport into the Olympics.”
A big reason to play in Bracknell is the town's Ozone Rink. It opened in 2021 and was designed as a 3×3 facility. In contrast to Gangneung, where teams played cross-ice games in a rink built for the 2018 Olympics, this purpose-built venue has full-size boards and plexiglass throughout. “It feels like it's a little more extensive,” said Danny Myers, the rink's owner and the driving force behind GB's 3×3 program.
Myers is a conversion to a smaller format. He was involved with the Bracknell Bees from the beginning and during his trophy-filled playing career he represented his country 59 times and was inducted into the British Hockey Hall of Fame. When Bracknell's full-size rink closed during the pandemic, Myers responded by providing funding and building a 3×3 facility. It is now the home of the UK 3×3 program, with Myers coaching the team that played in Gangneung earlier this year.
He believes short-form has a bright future alongside the familiar 5×5 game and sees it as a great opportunity for both players and coaches.
“It’s a different challenge on the ice,” Myers said. “You don't have the luxury of being a specialist defender or winger, you have to play in all positions.
“And fast. You make quick decisions, and those decisions have immediate consequences. In 5×5, if you lose the puck in the opponent's corner, they have to get up 200 feet up the ice. In 3×3 it's an instant breakaway. With smaller pads, the edge work has to be precise and the decision making has to be better.”
This is a new challenge for coaches as well. “It's refreshing to see the new stress on the players. I feel like I'm a better coach on the smaller ice. I can get to the players faster, I communicate better. And I feel like I'm a better coach on the smaller ice. I'm sure a 3×3 player would be very solid at 5×5 as well.
“It's not going to overtake 5×5. 5×5 will always be on top, but 3×3 offers a really nice addition.”
Sunday's tournament begins at 10am UK time (11am CET). The four teams will compete in a round robin format. The second and third placed teams of that group will play the semi-finals scheduled to start at 16:12 (17:12 CET), with the winner scheduled to start at 17:14 (18:14 CET) advance to the grand finals against the group winners.All the action will be streamed on IIHF YouTube channel.
