Ice hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics

Lore & Background

The qualification for the men's tournament was based on the final standings of the 1999 IIHF World Championship. The top six nations received direct entry to the first round, places seven and eight entered the preliminary round, and other participants competed in qualifying tournaments for the remaining six spots. The women's qualification used the 2000 IIHF Women's World Championship standings, with the top six nations gaining direct entry and the final two spots contested in a round-robin tournament in Engelberg, Switzerland, from February 8–11, 2001.

Reader's Guide

The 2002 Winter Olympics ice hockey tournaments are notable for Canada's double gold, both won against the host United States. The men's final standings are presented by the IIHF, but both the NHL and IOC maintain that all quarterfinal losers are ranked equal at 5th, reflecting a dispute over ranking methodology. The women's tournament featured eight teams split into two divisions, with the top two from each advancing to a medal playoff and the remaining four playing classification games. Team rosters were allowed between 15 and 18 skaters. These games marked a high point in Canada–United States hockey rivalry and highlighted the growing competitiveness of women's ice hockey on the Olympic stage.

Did You Know?

• Canada defeated the host United States in both the men's and women's finals.
• Sweden won the bronze medal in the women's tournament, and Russia won bronze in the men's tournament.
• The women's qualification tournament was held in Engelberg, Switzerland, from February 8–11, 2001.
• The NHL and IOC maintain that all quarterfinal losers are ranked equal at 5th, differing from the IIHF's final standings.