Release from 15.05.2026

Christian Ofner back on duty at the IIHF World Championship

Short text 729 CharactersPlain text

The top division of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship gets underway today, Friday – and alongside the four participating ICE nations, another representative of the win2day ICE Hockey League will once again be part of the biggest stage in international hockey. Referee Christian Ofner has been nominated for the top division World Championship for the second consecutive year, further cementing his status among the world’s elite officials. You can find the interview with Christian Ofner here.

For Christian Ofner, the renewed nomination is a special confirmation of the path he has taken. Being selected for a second straight World Championship highlights his consistently strong performances at the international level.

Press release 2962 CharactersPlain text

Intensive weeks following the season
Following the conclusion of the win2day ICE Hockey League season, the Carinthian immediately began his intensive preparation for the World Championship. In addition to off-ice training and once again studying the IIHF rulebook, numerous video meetings and analyses were part of his schedule. At the same time, Ofner also had to complete an academic exam, which he successfully passed shortly before his departure. “It was a very intense and stressful period, but I tried to organize everything as best as possible,” explained Ofner. The referee views his second consecutive appearance at the top division World Championship as a major recognition of his work over the past year: “Even the first participation was something special, but receiving a second consecutive nomination mainly shows me that my performances are being recognized. That makes me very proud and confirms that I’m on the right path.”

Experience gained from first top division World Championship
Heading into his second World Championship, Ofner now approaches the tournament with considerably more experience. In particular, the procedures away from the actual games left a lasting impression on him during his first tournament. “A lot of things are different at a World Championship compared to daily league operations, especially the entire environment and the communication on the ice,” he said. The international cooperation among referees plays a central role: “The referees are very connected with each other. You constantly communicate and coordinate differently compared to regular league games.”

Structured preparation in Austria and Switzerland
According to Ofner, preparation for the major event was highly structured. During several video calls from Austria, standards, rule interpretations, and special game situations were discussed in great detail. After arriving in Switzerland, the schedule included numerous meetings, video analyses, and team-building activities. “They were long and exhausting days, but also days filled with great team spirit and a lot of fun.”

“Enjoy the World Championship and have fun”
Ofner has set clear goals for his upcoming assignments: “It’s important for me to deliver my best performance in every game, to be well prepared, and to work together as a team.” At the same time, he also wants to enjoy the special atmosphere: “Mistakes can happen to anyone, so for me it’s also about enjoying the World Championship and having fun doing it.” The ICE referee is particularly excited about once again sharing the ice with some of the biggest names in international hockey. “When a player like Sidney Crosby participates in a World Championship, that’s naturally an extra motivation. Normally, you only know these names from television. To share the ice with these players and shake their hands is a great honor and a special experience.”