1937 Ice Hockey World Championships
Canada wins ninth world title; Great Britain takes European crown.
The 1937 Ice Hockey World Championships took place in London, England, from February 17 to 27. Eleven teams competed, although Austria and Czechoslovakia had to withdraw before the tournament began due to travel problems. Canada secured its ninth world title, and the host nation, Great Britain, won its third European championship.
In the first round, the teams were split into three groups: two groups of four and one group of three. The top three teams from each four-team group and the top two from the three-team group moved on to the second round. The second round consisted of two groups of four, with the top two from each advancing to the final round. The remaining four teams in the second round played a consolation bracket for positions five through eight. The three teams that failed to reach the second round were meant to compete for places nine through eleven, but first Romania, and then both Sweden and Norway, chose not to continue playing.
Great Britain, using many players from the previous year's Olympic squad, won its first seven games by a combined score of 45–0 before losing to Canada. Switzerland finished third, with both of its final-round losses to Canada and Great Britain coming in overtime.
In the consolation round, Poland forfeited its games against Hungary and France, which were officially recorded as 5–0 losses.
Quick Facts
- Year
- 1937
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Dates
- 17–27 February
- Num Teams
- 11
- Venues
- Wembley Arena, Harringay Arena
- Winners
- Canada
- Winners-Flagvar
- 1921
- Count
- 9
- Second
- Great Britain
- Third
- Switzerland
- Fourth
- Germany
- Fourth-Flagvar
- Nazi
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The tournament featured a preliminary round with three groups: two groups of four teams and one group of three. The top three from the four-team groups and the top two from the three-team group advanced to the second round, which consisted of two groups of four. The top two from each second-round group moved to the final round for places 1–4, while the other four played in a consolation round for places 5–8. The three teams that did not advance to the second round were scheduled to play off for places 9–11, but first Romania, then both Sweden and Norway decided not to continue playing. Great Britain, using many players from the previous year's Olympics, won their first seven games by a combined total of 45–0 before losing to Canada. Switzerland finished third, with their final-round losses to Canada and Great Britain both coming in overtime. Poland forfeited their games against Hungary and France, which are officially viewed as 5–0 losses.
Reader's Guide
The 1937 Ice Hockey World Championships are notable for Canada's ninth world title and Great Britain's third European championship, achieved on home ice. The British team's dominant start—seven straight shutout victories totaling 45–0—underscored their strength, though they ultimately fell to Canada. The tournament saw two teams cancel due to travel issues, and three others withdrew from lower-place playoffs, reflecting logistical challenges of the era. The consolation round included forfeits by Poland, recorded as 5–0 losses. Switzerland's third-place finish, with both losses in overtime, highlighted competitive balance. The event remains a key milestone in pre-war international hockey, with Great Britain's performance bridging Olympic and world championship success.
Did You Know?
- Great Britain won their first seven games by a combined 45–0 before losing to Canada.
- Austria and Czechoslovakia cancelled their participation due to travel issues.
- Poland forfeited games against Hungary and France, officially recorded as 5–0 losses.
- Switzerland's final-round losses to Canada and Great Britain both came in overtime.
More in International and Olympic Ice Hockey, Part 3 1-24
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