These rankings were established in 1997 as the Top Level International Ice Hockey "All Time World Rankings" in order to qualify, from an historical perspective, the performance of countries competing in "Best-on-Best" ice hockey. As such, these rankings are not intended as an indicator of any national program's current strength or stature (such as the IIHF World Rankings). Rather, they are meant as a cumulative measure of each country's success in top level international competition through time.

By "top level," we are referring to competitions held at the highest level of men's international ice hockey qualification in which all countries are fairly allowed to field what they deem to be their best possible teams. Such competitions include: the World Cup of Hockey (formerly known as the Canada Cup) and all Olympic Ice Hockey Tournaments from 1998 onwards. Excluded from these rankings are the IIHF World Championships (held during NHL playoffs), pre-1998 Olympic tournaments (prohibiting professional players), and the Canada-Russia Summit Series of 1972 and 1974 (prohibiting WHA and NHL players respectively), as well as any exhibition games or club matches.

Unlike many other sports, which play regular one-on-one "test" matches, top level international ice hockey has thus far been played exclusively within the domain of tournament competition. As a result greater emphasis is placed on final standings as opposed to individual wins, losses and scores. With this in mind, the TLH rankings have been based on a very simple, yet proven point system, using the results of all the top level tournaments ever held. Points are derived from the final standings of each team per competition in relation to the number of teams competing. For example: the Czech Republic finished first in the 1998 Olympics and 14 teams competed, therefore the Czech Republic is awarded 14 points, plus 1 bonus point for winning the tournament. Russia finished second so they are awarded 13 points with no bonus. Finland placed third and receives 12 points, Canada placed 4th to receive 11 points, and so on. Teams finishing in last place receive a single point in recognition for at least qualifying for a top level tournament (granting the "invitation-only" status of some past tournaments).


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> Historic Rankings

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