The UK Ice Hockey Foundation is proud to announce that Petr Bříza, Senior Vice-President of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), will join the speaker line-up at the Hockey Development Summit 2026.
Few figures in world hockey carry the breadth of experience that Petr Bříza brings to the Summit.
A professional goaltender for 23 years, he competed across three of Europe’s top leagues and represented Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic at seven IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship tournaments and three Olympic Winter Games – a career that earned him induction into the Czech Hockey Hall of Fame.
Since retiring from playing in 2006, Bříza has become one of the most influential administrators in international hockey.
He was appointed General Manager of HC Sparta Prague immediately upon retirement, later becoming Chairman of the Board and ultimately the club’s franchise owner.
Bříza was one of the key initiators behind both the European Trophy and the Champions Hockey League (CHL) – competitions that reshaped the landscape of club hockey across the continent.
At the IIHF, Petr was elected to the Council in 2016 and appointed Senior Vice-President in 2021.
He currently serves simultaneously as IIHF Treasurer, Chair of the Development Committee, and Chair of the Clubs and Leagues Committee – a combination of roles that places him at the heart of how the global game is governed, funded and has grown.
He has also served as Vice President of the Czech Ice Hockey Association since 2012 and as President of the Organising Committee for the record-breaking IIHF World Championship tournaments in Prague in 2015 and 2024, as well as the record-setting IIHF Women’s World Championship in České Budějovice in 2025.
Petr will be sharing fascinating insights on the game with attendees and we look forward to welcoming him to Sheffield later on this month.
Tickets for the Summit – which runs from 26th to 28th June 2026 – will bring together Club Chairs, Head Coaches and senior stakeholders from the UK’s youth hockey system. Secure your tickets by clicking here https://ukihf.org/event/summit.