2023 in ice hockey

The following were the events of ice hockey for the year 2023 throughout the world.

World Championships
2023 World Ice Hockey Divisions for the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) took place between December 11, 2022 and August 26, 2023.

World Junior Ice Hockey Championships

 * December 26, 2022 – January 5: 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship in 🇨🇦 Halifax and Moncton
 * defeated, 3–2 in overtime, to win their 20th World Junior Ice Hockey Championship title.
 * The defeated, 8–7 in overtime, to win the bronze medal.
 * was relegated to Division I – Group A for 2024.

Divisions

 * December 11, 2022 – December 17, 2022: Division I – Group A in 🇳🇴 Asker
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. , 4. , 5. , 6.
 * Norway was promoted to the Top Division for 2024.
 * Slovenia was relegated to Division I – Group B for 2024.
 * December 11, 2022 – December 17, 2022: Division I – Group B in 🇵🇱 Bytom
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. , 4. , 5. , 6.
 * Japan was promoted to Division I – Group A for 2024.
 * South Korea was relegated to Division II – Group A for 2024.
 * December 11, 2022 – December 17, 2022: Division II – Group A in Kaunas
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. , 4. , 5. , 6.
 * Croatia was promoted to Division I – Group B for 2024.
 * Romania was relegated to Division II – Group B for 2024.
 * January 16 – 22: Division II – Group B in 🇮🇸 Reykjavík
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. , 4. , 5. , 6.
 * China was promoted to Division II – Group A for 2024.
 * Mexico was relegated to Division III for 2024.
 * January 26 – February 2: Division III in 🇹🇷 Istanbul
 * defeated, 4–1, to win the tournament.
 * Australia was promoted to Division II – Group B for 2024.

IIHF World Women's U18 Championship

 * January 8 – 15: 2023 IIHF World Women's U18 Championship in 🇸🇪 Östersund
 * defeated, 10–0, to win their seventh World Women's U18 Championship title.
 * The defeated, 5–0, to win the bronze medal.
 * was relegated to Division I – Group A for 2024.

Divisions

 * January 9 – 15: Division I – Group A in 🇮🇹 Ritten
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. , 4. , 5. , 6.
 * Germany was promoted to the Top Division for 2024.
 * Norway was relegated to Division I – Group B for 2024.
 * January 10 – 15: Division I – Group B in 🇵🇱 Katowice
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. , 4. , 5. , 6.
 * Denmark was promoted to Division I – Group A for 2024.
 * China withdrew from the tournament before it began, and were relegated to Division II – Group A for 2024.
 * January 21 – 27: Division II – Group A in 🇬🇧 Dumfries
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. , 4. , 5. , 6.
 * Australia was promoted to Division I – Group B for 2024.
 * Mexico was relegated to Division II – Group B for 2024.
 * January 26 – February 1: Division II – Group B in 🇧🇬 Sofia
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. , 4. , 5. , 6.
 * Kazakhstan was promoted to Division I – Group B for 2024.

IIHF Women's World Championship

 * April 5 – 16: 2023 IIHF Women's World Championship in 🇨🇦 Brampton
 * The defeated, 6–3, to win their tenth Women's World Championship title.
 * defeated, 3–2, to win the bronze medal.
 * and were relegated to Division I – Group A for 2024.

Divisions

 * February 20 – 26: Division II – Group B in Cape Town
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. , 4. , 5. , 6.
 * Belgium was promoted to Division II – Group A for 2024.
 * Croatia was relegated to Division III – Group A for 2024.
 * Turkey withdrew from the tournament before it began due to the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake.
 * March 26 – 31: Division III – Group B in 🇮🇱 Tnuvot
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3.
 * Serbia was promoted to Division III – Group A for 2024.
 * April 2 – 7: Division II – Group A in 🇲🇽 Mexico City
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. , 4. , 5. , 6.
 * Latvia was promoted to Division I – Group B for 2024.
 * North Korea withdrew from the tournament before it began, and were relegated to Division II – Group B for 2024.
 * April 3 – 9: Division III – Group A in Brașov
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. , 4. , 5. , 6.
 * Hong Kong was promoted to Division II – Group B for 2024.
 * Estonia was relegated to Division III – Group B for 2024.
 * April 17 – 23: Division I – Group B in Suwon
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. , 4. , 5. , 6.
 * South Korea was promoted to Division I – Group A for 2024.
 * Kazakhstan was relegated to Division II – Group A for 2024.
 * August 20 – 26: Division I – Group A in Shenzhen
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. , 4. , 5. , 6.
 * China and Denmark were promoted to the Top Division for 2024.
 * Slovakia was relegated to Division I – Group B for 2024.
 * Note: Tournament was originally scheduled for April 11 to 17; however, it was postponed, and later rescheduled for August 20 to 26.

IIHF World Championship

 * May 12 – 28: 2023 IIHF World Championship in 🇫🇮 Tampere and Riga
 * defeated, 5–2 , to win their 28th World Championship title.
 * defeated the, 4–3 in overtime, to win the bronze medal.
 * and were relegated to Division I – Group A for 2024.

Divisions

 * February 27 – March 5: Division III – Group B in 🇧🇦 Sarajevo
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. , 4. , 5. , 6.
 * Kyrgyzstan was promoted to Division III – Group A for 2024.
 * Malaysia was relegated to Division IV for 2024.
 * March 23 – 26: Division IV in Ulaanbaatar
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. , 4.
 * The Philippines were promoted to Division III – Group B for 2024.
 * April 16 – 22: Division II – Group A in 🇪🇸 Madrid
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. 4. , 5. , 6.
 * Spain was promoted to Division I – Group B for 2024.
 * After the conclusion of the tournament, Georgia's results were invalidated by the IIHF, and they were relegated to Division II – Group B for 2024 in place of Iceland.
 * April 17 – 23: Division III – Group A in Cape Town
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. , 4. , 5. , 6.
 * Chinese Taipei was promoted to Division II – Group B for 2024.
 * North Korea withdrew from the tournament before it began, and were relegated to Division III – Group B for 2024.
 * April 17 – 23: Division II – Group B in 🇹🇷 Istanbul
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. , 4. , 5. , 6.
 * The United Arab Emirates were promoted to Division II – Group A for 2024.
 * Mexico was relegated to Division III – Group A for 2024.
 * April 23 – 29: Division I – Group B in 🇪🇪 Tallinn
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. , 4. , 5. , 6.
 * Japan was promoted to Division I – Group A for 2024.
 * Serbia was relegated to Division II – Group A for 2024.
 * April 29 – May 5: Division I – Group A in 🇬🇧 Nottingham
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. , 4. , 5. , 6.
 * Great Britain and Poland were promoted to the Top Division for 2024.
 * Lithuania was relegated to Division I – Group B for 2024.

IIHF World U18 Championships

 * April 20 – 30: 2023 IIHF World U18 Championships in Basel and Porrentruy
 * The defeated, 3–2 in overtime, to win their 11th World U18 Championship title.
 * defeated, 4–3 in overtime, to win the bronze medal.
 * was relegated to Division I – Group A for 2024.

Divisions

 * March 12 – 18: Division III – Group A in 🇮🇸 Akureyri
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. , 4. , 5. , 6.
 * Israel was promoted to Division II – Group B for 2024.
 * Luxembourg was relegated to Division III – Group B for 2024.
 * March 13 – 16: Division III – Group B in Cape Town
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. , 4.
 * New Zealand was promoted to Division III – Group A for 2024.
 * March 27 – April 2: Division II – Group B in 🇧🇬 Sofia
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. , 4. , 5. , 6.
 * The Netherlands were promoted to Division II – Group A for 2024.
 * Belgium was relegated to Division III – Group A for 2024.
 * April 9 – 15: Division II – Group A in 🇷🇸 Belgrade
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. , 4. , 5. , 6.
 * Lithuania was promoted to Division I – Group B for 2024.
 * Spain was relegated to Division II – Group B for 2024.
 * April 23 – 29: Division I – Group A in 🇫🇷 Angers
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. , 4. , 5. , 6.
 * Kazakhstan was promoted to the Top Division for 2024.
 * France was relegated to Division I – Group B for 2024.
 * April 25 – May 1: Division I – Group B in Bled
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. , 4. , 5. , 6.
 * Austria was promoted to Division I – Group A for 2024.
 * Poland was relegated to Division II – Group A for 2024.

National Hockey League (NHL)

 * October 7, 2022 – April 14: 2022–23 NHL season
 * Presidents' Trophy and Eastern Conference regular-season winners: Boston Bruins
 * Western Conference regular-season winners: Vegas Golden Knights
 * Art Ross Trophy winner: Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)
 * January 2: 2023 Winter Classic at Fenway Park in Boston
 * The Boston Bruins defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins, with the score of 2–1.
 * February 4: 2023 All-Star Game at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise
 * All-Star Game: Team Atlantic defeated Team Central, with the score of 7–5.
 * All-Star Game MVP: Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers)
 * Accuracy Shooting: Brock Nelson (New York Islanders)
 * Breakaway Challenge: Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals), and Sergei Ovechkin
 * Fastest Skater: Andrei Svechnikov (Carolina Hurricanes)
 * Hardest Shot: Elias Pettersson (Vancouver Canucks)
 * Pitch 'n Puck: Nick Suzuki (Montreal Canadiens)
 * Splash Shot: Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen (Colorado Avalanche)
 * Tendy Tandem: Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets) and Juuse Saros (Nashville Predators)
 * February 18: 2023 Stadium Series at Carter–Finley Stadium in Raleigh
 * The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Washington Capitals, with the score of 4–1.
 * April 17 – June 13: 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs
 * June 13: The Vegas Golden Knights defeat the Florida Panthers four games to one in the Stanley Cup Finals to win their first Stanley Cup.
 * June 28 & 29: 2023 NHL Entry Draft at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville
 * #1: Connor Bedard (to the Chicago Blackhawks from the Regina Pats)

Kontinental Hockey League (KHL)

 * September 1, 2022 – February 26: 2022–23 KHL season
 * Continental Cup and Western Conference regular-season winner: SKA Saint Petersburg
 * Eastern Conference regular-season winner: Ak Bars Kazan
 * March 1 – April 29: 2023 Gagarin Cup playoffs
 * April 30: CSKA Moscow defeats Ak Bars Kazan four games to three in the Gagarin Cup Finals to win their second consecutive and third overall Gagarin Cup.

Minor league professional (AHL/ECHL/SPHL/FPHL/LNAH)

 * October 14, 2022 – April 16: 2022–23 AHL season
 * Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy & Pacific Division winners: Calgary Wranglers
 * Atlantic Division winners: Providence Bruins
 * North Division winners: Toronto Marlies
 * Central Division winners: Texas Stars
 * April 18 – June 21: 2023 Calder Cup playoffs
 * June 21: The Hershey Bears defeated the Coachella Valley Firebirds four games to three to win their 12th Calder Cup title.
 * October 21, 2022 – April 16: 2022–23 ECHL season
 * Brabham Cup & Mountain Division winners: Idaho Steelheads
 * North Division winners: Newfoundland Growlers
 * South Division winners: South Carolina Stingrays
 * Central Division winners: Cincinnati Cyclones
 * April 19 – June 9: 2023 Kelly Cup playoffs
 * June 9: The Florida Everblades defeated the Idaho Steelheads in a four-game sweep to win their second consecutive and third overall Kelly Cup title.
 * October 20, 2022 – April 8: 2022–23 SPHL season
 * William B. Coffey Trophy winners: Peoria Rivermen
 * April 13 – May 2: 2023 President's Cup playoffs
 * May 2: The Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs defeated the Birmingham Bulls three games to one to win their first President's Cup title.
 * October 13, 2022 – April 15: 2022–23 FPHL season
 * Continental Division winners: Carolina Thunderbirds
 * Empire Division winners & regular season champion: Danbury Hat Tricks
 * April 19 – May 14: 2023 Commissioner's Cup playoffs
 * May 14: The Danbury Hat Tricks defeated the Carolina Thunderbirds three games to two to win their first Commissioner's Cup title.
 * October 7, 2022 – March 18: 2022–23 LNAH season
 * Regular season champion: Thetford Assurancia
 * March 22 – May 12: 2023 Vertdure Cup playoffs
 * May 12: Saint-Georges Cool FM 103.5 defeated Thetford Assurancia four games to two to win their second Vertdure Cup title.

Junior (OHL/QMJHL/USHL/WHL)

 * September 22, 2022 – April 22: 2022–23 USHL season
 * Anderson Cup & Western Conference winners: Fargo Force
 * Eastern Conference winners: Chicago Steel
 * April 24 – May 19: 2023 Clark Cup playoffs
 * May 19: The Youngstown Phantoms defeat the Fargo Force in a three-game sweep to win their first Clark Cup title.
 * September 22, 2022 – March 26: 2022–23 QMJHL season
 * Jean Rougeau Trophy & East Division winners: Quebec Remparts
 * Maritimes Division: Halifax Mooseheads
 * West Division: Gatineau Olympiques
 * Central Division: Sherbrooke Phoenix
 * March 31 – May 21: 2023 Gilles-Courteau Trophy playoffs
 * May 21: The Quebec Remparts defeat the Halifax Mooseheads four games to two to win their sixth Gilles-Courteau Trophy title.
 * December 14, 2023: The QMJHL officially changes its name to the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, replacing the term "Major," to better include the six Maritime-based teams in the league.
 * September 23, 2022 – March 26: 2022–23 WHL season
 * Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy & East Division winners: Winnipeg Ice
 * Central Division winners: Red Deer Rebels
 * U.S. Division winners: Seattle Thunderbirds
 * B.C. Division winners: Kamloops Blazers
 * March 31 – May 19: 2023 WHL playoffs
 * May 19: The Seattle Thunderbirds defeat the Winnipeg Ice four games to one to win their second Ed Chynoweth Cup title.
 * September 29, 2022 – March 26: 2022–23 OHL season
 * Hamilton Spectator Trophy & East Division winners: Ottawa 67's
 * Central Division: North Bay Battalion
 * Midwest Division: London Knights
 * West Division: Windsor Spitfires
 * March 30 – May 21: 2023 OHL playoffs
 * May 21: The Peterborough Petes defeat the London Knights four games to two to win their 10th J. Ross Robertson Cup title.
 * May 26 – June 4: 2023 Memorial Cup at the Sandman Centre in Kamloops
 * June 4: The Quebec Remparts defeat the Seattle Thunderbirds, 5–0, to win their third Memorial Cup title.

NCAA–Division I (USA)

 * March 9 – 19: 2023 NCAA Division I women's ice hockey tournament (Frozen Four at AMSOIL Arena in Duluth)
 * March 19: The Wisconsin Badgers defeat the Ohio State Buckeyes, 1–0, to win their seventh NCAA Division I Women's Ice Hockey title.
 * March 23 – April 8: 2023 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament (Frozen Four at Amalie Arena in Tampa)
 * April 8: The Quinnipiac Bobcats defeat the Minnesota Golden Gophers, 3–2 in overtime, to win their first NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey title.

U Sports (Canada)

 * March 16 – 19: 2023 U Sports University Cup Tournament at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown
 * March 19: The UNB Reds defeat the Alberta Golden Bears, 3–0, to win their ninth University Cup title.

Women's professional (PHF)

 * November 5, 2022 – March 12: 2022–23 PHF season
 * March 16 – March 26: 2023 PHF playoffs
 * March 26: The Toronto Six defeat the Minnesota Whitecaps, 4–3 in overtime, to win their first Isobel Cup title.
 * June 29: The PHF is bought out by a partnership between the Mark Walter Group, BJK Enterprises, and the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association, ceasing operations in favor of a new league to begin the following year.
 * August 29: The aforementioned ownership group announces the founding of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL), with play set to begin in 2024.

Europe

 * September 1, 2022 – February 18: 2022–23 Champions Hockey League
 * 🇫🇮 Tappara defeated 🇸🇪 Luleå HF, 3–2, to win their first Champions Hockey League title.
 * EV Zug and 🇸🇪 Frölunda HC finished in joint third place, as the losing semi-finalists.
 * September 14, 2022 – March 4: 2022–23 National League season
 * March 7 – April 27: 2023 National League playoffs
 * Genève-Servette HC defeats EHC Biel, four games to three, to win their first National League title.
 * September 15, 2022 – March 5: 2022–23 Czech Extraliga season
 * Presidential Cup winner: Dynamo Pardubice
 * March 8 – April 28: 2023 Czech Extraliga playoffs
 * Oceláři Třinec defeats Mountfield HK four games to two to win their third consecutive and fifth overall Extraliga title.
 * September 13, 2022 – March 11: 2022–23 SM-liiga season
 * March 13 – April 27: 2023 SM-liiga playoffs
 * Tappara defeats Pelicans, four games to one, to win their 12th SM-liiga title and 19th Finnish championship.
 * September 15, 2022 – March 5: 2022–23 DEL season
 * The Bietigheim Steelers were relegated to the DEL2.
 * March 7 – April 27: 2023 DEL playoffs
 * EHC Red Bull München defeat ERC Ingolstadt, four games to one, to win their fourth DEL title.
 * September 17, 2022 – March 9: 2022–23 SHL season
 * Brynäs IF were relegated to the HockeyAllsvenskan.
 * March 11 – April 24: 2023 SHL playoffs
 * The Växjö Lakers defeat Skellefteå AIK, four games to one, to win their fourth Le Mat Trophy title.
 * September 23, 2022 – January 15: 2022–23 IIHF Continental Cup
 * Final Ranking: 1. 🇸🇰 HK Nitra, 2. 🇫🇷 Ducs d'Angers, 3. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Cardiff Devils, 4. 🇮🇹 Asiago Hockey

Asia

 * September 3, 2022 – March 5: 2022–23 Asia League Ice Hockey season
 * Leader's Flag winners: HL Anyang
 * PSK Sakhalin were expelled from the league before the season due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
 * March 9 – March 25: 2023 ALIH playoffs
 * HL Anyang defeated Red Eagles Hokkaido, three games to two, to win their seventh Asia League championship.
 * March 11 – 17: 2023 IIHF U18 Asia and Oceania Championship in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
 * Final Round Robin placements: 1., 2. , 3. , 4. , 5. , 6.
 * April 30 – May 7: 2023 IIHF Women's Asia and Oceania Championship in 🇹🇭 Bangkok
 * defeated, 3–1, to win their second Women's Asia and Oceania Championship title.
 * defeated, 3–1, to win the bronze medal.
 * May 7 – 13: 2023 Arab Cup in Kuwait City
 * defeated, 9–4, to win their first Arab Cup title.
 * defeated, 6–3, to win the bronze medal.

Other tournaments

 * May 2 – 6: 2023 IIHF Development Cup in 🇸🇰 Bratislava
 * Final Ranking: 1., 2. , 3. , 4. , 5.
 * November 6 – 12: 2024 IIHF Women's Development Cup in 🇵🇱 Krynica Zdrój
 * Final Ranking: 1., 2. , 3. , 4.

January

 * Georg Eberl, 86, German Olympic right wing (1960)
 * Bobby Rivard, 83, Canadian forward (Pittsburgh Penguins)
 * Gino Odjick, 52, Canadian left wing (Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens)
 * Brian Perry, 78, British-born Canadian left wing (Oakland Seals, New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres)
 * Bob Chrystal, 92, Canadian defenceman (New York Rangers)
 * Bobby Hull, 84, Canadian Hall of Fame left wing (Chicago Blackhawks, Winnipeg Jets, Hartford Whalers), Stanley Cup champion (1961)

February

 * Jozef Čapla, 84, Slovak defenceman (HC Slovan Bratislava, HC Dukla Jihlava, Augsburger EV)
 * Don Blackburn, 84, Canadian left wing (Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, New York Rangers)
 * Arto Heiskanen, 59, Finnish left wing (Porin Ässät, Lukko, Albatros de Brest)
 * Paul Jerrard, 57, Canadian defenceman (Minnesota North Stars) and coach (Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames)
 * Dieter Pürschel, 82, German Olympic goaltender (1968)

March

 * Sepp Reif, 85, German Olympic player (1960, 1964, 1968)
 * Don Burgess, 76, Canadian left wing (Philadelphia Blazers, Vancouver Blazers, San Diego Mariners)
 * Dave Gardner, 70, Canadian centre (Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, California Golden Seals)
 * George Nagobads, 101, Latvian-born American team physician (United States national team, Minnesota Golden Gophers)

April

 * Ken Girard, 86, Canadian right wing (Toronto Maple Leafs)
 * Tom Yurkovich, 87, American Olympic goaltender (1964)
 * Raymond Sawada, 38, Canadian right wing (Dallas Stars)
 * Bengt Lindqvist, 89, Swedish Olympic player (1960)
 * Eero Saari, 94, Finnish Olympic forward (1952)
 * Mihails Vasiļonoks, 74, Latvian goaltender (Dinamo Riga, Soviet Union national team), coach, and executive (HK Liepājas Metalurgs)

May

 * Petr Klíma, 58, Czech forward (Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Tampa Bay Lightning), Stanley Cup champion (1990)
 * Ray Fortin, 82, Canadian defenceman (St. Louis Blues)
 * Vic Stasiuk, 93, Canadian left wing (Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings) and coach (Philadelphia Flyers), Stanley Cup champion (1952, 1954, 1955)
 * Gerry Hart, 75, Canadian defenceman (Detroit Red Wings, New York Islanders, St. Louis Blues)
 * Weldon Olson, 90, American Olympic player, Olympic gold medalist (1960)
 * Marv Edwards, 88, Canadian goaltender (Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs)
 * Teppo Rastio, 89, Finnish ice hockey (Lukko, Ilves) and football (national team) player
 * Lou Marcon, 88, Canadian defenceman (Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Flyers, Pittsburgh Hornets)

June

 * Willie Marshall, 91, Canadian centre (Hershey Bears, Toronto Maple Leafs, Baltimore Clippers)
 * Floyd Martin, 93, Canadian right wing, Olympic silver medalist (1960)
 * Dmitri Tarasov, 44, Russian left wing (Amur Khabarovsk, Salavat Yulaev Ufa, Dynamo Moscow)
 * Leo Insam, 48, Italian Olympic defenceman (1994, 1998)
 * Rob Palmer, 66, Canadian defenceman (Los Angeles Kings, New Jersey Devils)

July

 * Mel Wakabayashi, 80, Canadian-Japanese centre (Michigan Wolverines, Memphis Wings, Johnstown Jets) and coach
 * Yrjö Hakala, 91, Finnish Olympic forward (1952, 1960)
 * Billy MacMillan, 80, Canadian right wing (New York Islanders, Toronto Maple Leafs) and coach (New Jersey Devils), Olympic bronze medalist (1968)
 * Lew Morrison, 75, Canadian right wing (Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals)
 * Mike Hammond, 33, British forward (Nottingham Panthers)
 * Brian O'Neill, 94, Canadian Hall of Fame executive
 * Joe Kowal, 67, Canadian left wing (Buffalo Sabres, Rochester Americans, Hershey Bears)
 * Wayne Maxner, 80, Canadian left wing (Boston Bruins) and coach (Detroit Red Wings)
 * Timo Hirvonen, 49, Finnish left wing (Kiekko-Espoo, SaiPa) and coach
 * Eddie Long, 90, Canadian right wing (Louisville Rebels, Fort Wayne Komets)

August

 * Bob Murdoch, 76, Canadian defenceman (Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens) and coach (Winnipeg Jets)
 * Gilles Gilbert, 74, Canadian goaltender (Minnesota North Stars, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings)
 * Leigh Verstraete, 61, Canadian right wing (Toronto Maple Leafs)
 * Bobby Baun, 86, Canadian defenceman (Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Oakland Seals)
 * Rodion Amirov, 21, Russian left wing (Salavat Yulaev Ufa)
 * Rick Jeanneret, 81, Canadian radio broadcaster (Sabres Hockey Network)
 * Yvon Pedneault, 77, Canadian television broadcaster (TVA, Réseau des Sports, TQS)

September

 * Morgan Samuelsson, 55, Swedish centre (Luleå HF, Södertälje SK, AIK IF) and coach
 * Brad Maxwell, 66, Canadian defenceman (Minnesota North Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks)
 * Peter Gustavsson, 65, Swedish left wing (Colorado Rockies, Fort Worth Texans)
 * Kjell-Rune Milton, 75, Swedish defenceman (Frölunda, Kölner Haie)
 * Chuck Hamilton, 84, Canadian right wing (Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Hershey Bears)
 * Henry Boucha, 72, American centre (Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota North Stars), Olympic silver medalist (1972)
 * Krzysztof Bujar, 61, Polish right wing (Naprzód Janów) and Olympian (1992)
 * Nic Kerdiles, 29, American left wing (Anaheim Ducks)

October

 * Dunc Wilson, 75, Canadian goaltender (Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins)
 * Gerry Penner, 89, Canadian left wing (Trail Smoke Eaters, New Westminster Royals, Seattle Americans), World Championships gold medalist (1961)
 * Corby Adams, 83, Canadian left wing (Clarkson University, Barrie Flyers)
 * Ed Sandford, 95, Canadian left wing (Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks)
 * Denis Carufel, 69, Canadian defenceman (Sorel Éperviers, Maine Nordiques)
 * Adam Johnson, 29, American forward (Pittsburgh Penguins, Nottingham Panthers) dies after an on-ice incident results in his neck being cut from a skate.
 * Jerzy Mruk, 85, Polish goaltender (Cracovia) and coach (Unia Oświęcim, Polish national team).

November

 * Matti Reunamäki, 83, Finnish forward (Koovee) and Olympian (1964, 1968)
 * Roman Čechmánek, 52, Czech goaltender (Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers), Olympic gold medalist (1998), World Championships gold medalist (1996, 1999, 2000)
 * George Chin, 94, Canadian right wing (Windsor Spitfires, University of Michigan, Nottingham Panthers)

December

 * Bruce Dickson, 92, Canadian right wing (Medicine Hat Tigers, Edmonton Oil Kings, Edmonton Mercurys), Olympic gold medalist (1952)
 * Jack Martin, 83, Canadian centre (Toronto Maple Leafs)
 * Hartland Monahan, 72, Canadian right wing (Washington Capitals, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues)
 * Mike Urquhart, 65, Canadian-British left wing (Kamloops Chiefs, Nottingham Panthers, Chelmsford Chieftains) and coach (Nottingham Lions, British national team)
 * Randy Legge, 77, Canadian defenceman (New York Rangers, Michigan Stags/Baltimore Blades, San Diego Mariners)
 * Gene Carr, 72, Canadian centre (New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings)
 * Reggie Savage, 53, Canadian right wing (Washington Capitals, Quebec Nordiques)