From May 5 to 21, the ice hockey world will have yet another tournament to follow – the 2017 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship jointly held by France and Germany. As the National Hockey League (NHL) Stanley Cup Playoffs, arguably the most hard fought ice hockey competition, continue, fans will also have a chance to check out the game’s younger prospects - and veterans - as they take to the ice in Paris and Cologne.   

With the two tournaments coinciding, many of the NHL’s greats won’t be in action. The annual international tournament has for a long time been seen as a competition for younger players and those that, perhaps, are past their prime. 

Broken down into a preliminary round followed by a playoff knockout-styled bracket, a total of 16 teams will participate, with Canada once again set to defend its title. A silver and bronze medal will also be up for grabs. 

Alongside co-hosts France and Germany, this year’s tournament will also welcome: Belarus, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Latvia, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States. 

The top international ice hockey tournament will feature players from around the world and from various leagues, including the eight-country Russia-founded Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), where China’s only professional team - Kunlun Red Star - plays. 

As teams get knocked out of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, players will be eligible to join their national squads across the pond. But with the tournament set to begin, most rosters have been set. However, one unique feature of the World Championship is that players can be added throughout the tournament until a roster is full.

The ice hockey scene in China is brimming with positivity, with the NHL announcing a pair of pre-season games to be held on Chinese ice, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman emphasizing his league’s commitment to developing the game in China ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, and the legendary Mike Keenan coming over to the nation’s capital to take over as head coach of Kunlun Red Star. But the reality is that China remains far from the top tier of the sport. 

But fear not - the IIHF is more than a one-trick pony, with several championship tournaments being held at lower divisions. In fact, China already participated in this year’s tournament - the Division II Group B Championship held in Auckland, New Zealand in April. The tournament, which is second from last in a six-tier based system, saw a memorable performance from the Chinese side. 

Team China went unbeaten throughout the competition, winning all five games, while forward Zhang Hao took home the Best Forward award. China’s tournament dominance means it has been promoted back to Division II Group A.

With the tournament set for puck drop, there are a few players that Chinese ice hockey lovers may be familiar with - talents that play for, or played with, the Beijing-based Kunlun Red Star. 

Finnish players Joonas Järvinen and Tomi Sallinen will represent their Nordic nation at this year’s tournament, as will Frenchman Damien Fleury. The three played for the Red Star during the team's inaugural season last year, though how the roster shapes up for the upcoming campaign remains unknown.