International Ice Hockey Federation President Rene Fasel Re-Elected

International Ice Hockey Federation president Rene Fasel has been re-elected to the post, the sport’s governing body announced Wednesday.

The 62-year-old was chosen for another four-year term in the absence of other candidates at the IIHF general congress in Tokyo.

Fasel has been at the helm of the organization since 1994 and another term should see him eclipse his predecessor Gunther Sabetzki as its longest-serving president.

The German held the post for 19 years from 1975.

Since becoming president, Fasel, also member of the International Olympic Committee’s executive board, has played a key role in forging closer ties between the IIHF and the NHL.

He has vowed to do everything in his power to ensure as many NHL players as possible participate in the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi.

The 2012 IIHF General Congress also elected the new IIHF Council for a four-year term. Bob Nicholson, Thomas Wu, Zsuzsanna Kolbenheyer, Vladislav Tretiak, Luc Tardif, Igor Nemecek and Henrik Bach Nielsen join the IIHF’s executive body as of 1st October.

Vice= President roles wera also allocated to Kalervo Kummola who was re-elected as Vice President representing the European and African members.

Bob Nicholson was elected as new Vice President for the Americas to succeed Murray Costello, who retired.

Thomas Wu was elected as new Vice President for Asia and Oceania. He replaces Shoichi Tomita, who retired.