Report: World Cup announcement on hold until details locked down

The return of the World Cup of Hockey appears to be all but certain, but an official announcement is on hold.

The NHL and NHLPA are waiting to finalize details on the return of the international tournament, according to Pierre LeBrun of ESPN. LeBrun added those details include a commitment to a regular schedule.

"In other words," said LeBrun, "while the NHL and NHLPA could have easily announced by now that the event is returning in September 2016, they want to have much more to give than that."

The World Cup of Hockey began in 1996, essentially replacing the Canada Cup. The United States came out victorious over Canada in a best two out of three final at the 1996 event, while Canada rebounded with a win over the Czech Republic in a single game final prior to the NHL lockout in 2004. 

The two World Cups took place within a two-year window of the Winter Olympics.

A 2016 tournament would take place two years after the Sochi Winter Games, potentially giving hockey fans a major international tournament to look forward to every other year. However, with a decision yet to be made in terms of future Olympic participation, the World Cup could serve to satiate the appetite for a best-on-best tournament.

"There is still much to be determined on the international front," said LeBrun. "The only thing that's basically assured at this point is that there will be World Cup hockey in (2016)."