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IIHF 2016 World Championships

Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2016 2:25 am
by Shawmudman
Does anyone have information on travel to Russia for the 2016 IIHF World Championships? How hard is it to get a visa and how long will the process take? Is English a common language in Russia? Is it possible to travel easily by yourself without speaking Russian? Does Hockey Canada organize a trip? The only organized tour I could find is through this group at www.sportexcursions.com. Are there any others available?

Re: IIHF 2016 World Championships

Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2016 9:11 am
by Blob Mckenzie
You really should reach out to poster Royaldude . He often goes on excursions to other countries and I believe he mentioned some interest in heading to this tournament . He can also hook you up with whatever party favours you may be looking for . He also speaks fluent Russian so he could act as a liason for your party .

Re: IIHF 2016 World Championships

Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2016 10:30 am
by Topper
Comrade Clam could be fellow traveler.

Re: IIHF 2016 World Championships

Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2016 10:32 am
by Blob Mckenzie
Lol perhaps they could have tea and a crumpet with the old pinko uk Canuck .

Re: IIHF 2016 World Championships

Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2016 7:23 pm
by Strangelove
Where's Sick Bunny when you need him...

Re: IIHF 2016 World Championships

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 4:44 am
by Per
Shawmudman wrote:Does anyone have information on travel to Russia for the 2016 IIHF World Championships? How hard is it to get a visa and how long will the process take? Is English a common language in Russia? Is it possible to travel easily by yourself without speaking Russian? Does Hockey Canada organize a trip? The only organized tour I could find is through this group at http://www.sportexcursions.com. Are there any others available?
Here's what the Russian Embassy has to say:
Tourist visa

In order to improve visa processing starting August 20, 2014, the Consular Division of the Embassy of the Russian Federation accepts visa applications submitted through authorized Russian Visa Centre "Invisa Logistics Services Canada Ltd" only.

Russian Visa Centre located at:
Suite 505, 294 Albert Street, Ottawa, ON, K1P 6E6
Tel. (613) 670 - 1125, Fax. (613) 670 - 1126
http://WWW.CANADA-ILS.COM

The visa applications submitted in person or by mail will be returned without processing.

REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A RUSSIAN TOURIST VISA
(for 30 days maximum)

1. These requirements apply to Canadian citizens only.

2. Please make sure that there is a 5 business days period between the date of application for a tourist visa and the supposed date of entry to Russia.

3. In accordance with Russian laws citizens of the Russian Federation regardless of any other citizenship they must travel to Russia on valid Russian documents only.

To obtain a visa you have to submit:

1. The original completed visa application form (for citizens of Australia, Canada, Georgia, the UK and USA, the original completed visa application form should be printed on the front and back sides of a single sheet of paper) submitted with a photo (one per applicant) glued in the area designated for it.
Your photo must meet following requirements: the frame size must be 35mm X 45 mm (1 3/8’’ X 1 3/4’’); the photos must be clear, well defined and taken against a plain white or light-coloured background.

2. Passport or other travel document in original.
At least two pages of the passport should be free of any notes, stamps and visas. Passport must be valid at least 6 months after your supposed date of departure from Russia.

3. One photocopy of information pages of the passport

4. A letter from yourself (if travelling individually) explaining who is travelling, where, when and with what purpose.

5. Standard form of confirmation for foreign tourists CONFIRMATION is issued by the Russian hosting travel company.
It carries a REFERENCE-NUMBER of the hosting company (which confirms that this company is allowed to invite foreign tourists), personal data of each tourist, dates of trip, itinerary in Russia, services as paid. Confirmation must be signed by authorized person and carry the official seal of the Russian travel company. The confirmation of prepaid accommodation at the hotel you are going to stay provided by the hotel.
http://www.rusembassy.ca/node/57

As for your other questions; younger Russians often know some rudimentary English. With older Russians you may be able to get by with German, but the safest bet is of course to speak Russian. It shouldn't be a problem though for you to get by in the major cities. Have you travelled before? Things tend to work out.

If you do have problems and need to find someone who speaks English, try the nearest hotel.
People working in the reception of a hotel often speak several languages.

Re: IIHF 2016 World Championships

Posted: Fri May 06, 2016 2:31 pm
by Per
The games have begun!

Sweden has a really poor team this time, only six NHLers, and not any real stars. :(
Still beat Latvia in their first game, but in overtime. Will probably have problems when facing real competition.

The Finns look better, and Laine had a great game in his first world championship for grownups.
He had 2 goals and 1 assist as Finland beat Belarus. Could be interesting to catch a few of Finland's games.

Canada look really strong this year. They crushed the USA 5-1 in their first game. Looking good!

The Russians were a disappointment though. They have a good team on paper, they play on home turf, and yet they still can't get their shit together. Oh, well. :look:

Re: IIHF 2016 World Championships

Posted: Sun May 08, 2016 8:00 am
by Per
Some highlights from Laine's... er Finland's game vs Belarus:


Re: IIHF 2016 World Championships

Posted: Sun May 08, 2016 11:49 am
by Per
In 1990 Jaromir Jagr made his world championship debut, and over the course of ten games he scored three goals and assisted on two, for a total count of five points. That is the most points an 18 year old player has ever scored in a world championship. Well, until today that is. It took Patrik Laine only two games to beat Jagr's 25 year old record. Two goals and one assist against Belarus in Finland's first game, and now the same against Germany!

If he keeps this up I wouldn't be surprised to see him go first at the draft. :look:


Re: IIHF 2016 World Championships

Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 10:57 am
by Per
Finland vs USA right now. Finns ahead 2-1.
Neither Laine nor Matthews have scored so far.

Re: IIHF 2016 World Championships

Posted: Thu May 12, 2016 1:17 pm
by SKYO
Hansen the lone scorer for denmark after they got demolished 10-1 by russia.

Re: IIHF 2016 World Championships

Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 12:29 pm
by Per
Some big games tonight, Canada vs Finland and Swedenvs Russia. :thumbs:
Sadly it seems neither Canada nor Sweden have what it takes though. :(

Guess that means we'll face eachother in the quarter final. :look:

Oddly enough no goal for Laine tonight. :|

Re: IIHF 2016 World Championships

Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 4:38 pm
by Puck
Sounds like Talbot may have been a little off?

Re: IIHF 2016 World Championships

Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 10:43 pm
by Per
Puck wrote:Sounds like Talbot may have been a little off?
That, and the Finns are having a tremendous tournament.

If the Finns go all the way, Laine will have the amazing triple of winning the J18, J20 and senior world championships, all in the same season... :o

So, quarter finals:
Czechs vs USA
Canada vs Sweden
Russia vs Germany
Finland vs Denmark

I predict semi finals between Canada and the Czechs and between Russia and Finland.
The team Sweden has this year is just too weak. Markström is great in goal, but he can't win the games alone.
Then whoever prevails in the Russia/Finland matchup beats Canada in the final.

Re: IIHF 2016 World Championships

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 9:18 am
by Puck
Matthews scores the only US goal in reg and follows it up with the shootout winner as the Americans knock off the Czechs. Advantage back to Matthews?