1953 Ice Hockey World Championships

The 1953 Ice Hockey World Championships, which also served as the 31st European Championships, were held from March 7 to 15 in Basel and Zürich, Switzerland. Sweden claimed their first world title and seventh European crown. For the first time, only European nations competed. Canada withdrew after its hockey association president, W. B. George, stated on January 12 that the country would not send a team, citing annual costs of C$10,000 for exhibition games that filled European arenas while Canada faced criticism for its playing style.

The Soviet Union also did not participate, though observers—including coach Anatoli Tarasov—attended; injuries to key players like Vsevolod Bobrov were thought to be the cause. Czechoslovakia was pulled from the tournament by General František Janda, head of the State Committee for Physical Education and Sport, after it became clear that President Klement Gottwald was dying of pneumonia contracted at Stalin’s funeral. Gottwald died on March 14, and the team was disqualified; their results were erased and remaining games canceled. A Swiss 'B' team also competed, and had their matches counted, they would have finished third.