What Is 2015 IIHF World Championship rosters

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2015 IIHF World Championship rosters featured 16 national teams, each submitting up to 25 players, with Canada winning gold after defeating Russia 6–1 in the final on May 17, 2015. Notable players included John Tavares, Sidney Crosby, and Leon Draisaitl.

Key Facts

Canada won the 2015 IIHF World Championship by defeating Russia 6–1 in the final on May 17, 2015
The tournament featured 16 national teams from Europe, North America, and Asia
Each team's roster could include up to 25 players, with at least three goaltenders
Sidney Crosby served as captain for Team Canada during the championship
Germany finished in 5th place, its highest finish since 2009

Overview

The 2015 IIHF World Championship, organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation, took place from May 1 to May 17, 2015, in Prague and Ostrava, Czech Republic. Sixteen national teams competed for the title, submitting official rosters of up to 25 players each, including forwards, defensemen, and goaltenders.

These rosters were finalized before the tournament began and included both NHL professionals and European league players. The event marked a return to the Czech Republic for the first time since 2011, drawing record attendance and global viewership.

16 teams participated in the 2015 IIHF World Championship, including powerhouses like Canada, Russia, and Sweden, each fielding full 25-player rosters.
Canada's roster featured Sidney Crosby, who served as team captain and played a pivotal role in their gold medal victory.
Russia included Evgeny Kuznetsov and Sergei Bobrovsky, both NHL players, making their presence felt throughout the tournament.
Germany's roster was notable for including Leon Draisaitl, then a rising star with the Edmonton Oilers, contributing significantly in the preliminary rounds.
The United States team included John Tavares, who led the squad in scoring and helped secure a top-eight finish in the final standings.

How It Works

Each participating nation submitted a roster of up to 25 players, adhering to IIHF regulations requiring at least three goaltenders and balanced positional depth.

Team Size: Each roster could include a maximum of 25 players, with no more than 20 skaters and three goaltenders allowed per official submission.
Goaltender Requirement: Teams were required to list at least three goaltenders on their roster to ensure availability in case of injury or fatigue during the tournament.
Deadline: Rosters had to be submitted to the IIHF by April 28, 2015, three days before the opening puck drop on May 1.
Player Eligibility: Players needed to hold citizenship and be registered with their national federation, following IIHF Regulation 11 on international eligibility.
Injuries and Replacements: Teams could replace injured players before their first game, but after that, substitutions required IIHF approval and were rare.
NHL Participation: Several NHL players joined their national teams after their clubs were eliminated from the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs, impacting roster timing and depth.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of top-performing nations in the 2015 IIHF World Championship based on roster composition and final standings:

Nation	Final Rank	Key Players	Top Scorer	Roster Size
Canada	1st	Sidney Crosby, Drew Doughty, Jeff Carter	Jeff Carter (10 points)	25
Russia	2nd	Evgeny Kuznetsov, Sergei Bobrovsky	Viktor Tikhonov (10 points)	25
USA	6th	John Tavares, Dustin Brown	John Tavares (9 points)	25
Sweden	3rd	Henrik Lundqvist, William Karlsson	William Karlsson (8 points)	25
Germany	5th	Leon Draisaitl, Youssef Abdelkader	Leon Draisaitl (7 points)	25

The table highlights how top-tier teams combined NHL talent with domestic league contributors. Canada’s depth in scoring and goaltending, led by Mike Smith and Corey Crawford, proved decisive in the final. Germany’s strong showing was fueled by young players like Draisaitl, signaling a shift in European hockey dynamics.

Why It Matters

The 2015 IIHF World Championship rosters reflected the globalization of ice hockey, with NHL stars and European professionals shaping national team success. These rosters not only determined on-ice performance but also influenced future draft strategies and international development programs.

Canada’s victory reinforced its status as a hockey powerhouse, with 6–1 win over Russia showcasing superior depth and coaching.
Rosters included 38 NHL players across all teams, emphasizing the league’s influence on international competition.
The tournament served as a scouting ground for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, with national federations evaluating player form and chemistry.
Germany’s 5th-place finish, its best since 2009, was directly tied to the inclusion of NHL-caliber talent like Draisaitl.
Goaltending depth proved crucial, with teams like Sweden relying on Henrik Lundqvist for critical saves in elimination rounds.
The event highlighted the growing competitiveness of mid-tier nations, with Kazakhstan and Norway pushing traditional powerhouses in group play.

The 2015 IIHF World Championship rosters were more than just player lists—they were blueprints for national pride, strategic planning, and the future of international ice hockey.