The respected longtime coach Pat Cortina (left) receives the 2026 Paul Loicq Award from IIHF President Luc Tardif (right) in Zurich, Switzerland.
photo: © INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION / ANDRE RINGUETTE
Born in Montreal, Pat Cortina has spent most of his professional coaching career in countries that have loomed large on the IIHF calendar recently.
He began his European adventure in Italy – the host nation for the 2026 Olympics – as an assistant coach with HC Devils Milano in 1990-91. Years later, he would also serve as the head coach of Germany – the host nation for the 2027 IIHF World Championship (Dusseldorf and Mannheim) – at the Men’s Worlds from 2013 to 2015.
And his hard work on behalf of Hungarian hockey can’t be overlooked. Cortina was the head coach of the Hungarian team at the 2009 Men’s Worlds, which ended a 70-year top-level drought for that nation. Additionally, he served as Hungary’s bench boss at three top-level Women’s Worlds (2022, 2023, 2025).
That doesn’t even take into account the numerous pro teams he coached in Italy, Germany, and Hungary over that span. Dedicated, personable, and emotional, Cortina has seen it all in these ever-developing European hockey nations.
Fittingly, Cortina was honoured with the 2026 Paul Loicq Award. Named after the Belgian-born IIHF President who served from 1922 to 1947, this award celebrates people who have made significant contributions to both the IIHF and international hockey.
Cortina, 61, spoke with IIHF.com after the IIHF Contributors’ Award Ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland, where he was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in May 2026.
How does it feel to be the Paul Loicq Award winner?
It’s surreal. Never would I have dreamed of anything like this. It’s amazing. I’m going to use this as fuel to keep going, as energy to play the third period of my life the proper way. I have had some unbelievable experiences. It’s been an unbelievable journey, and if I can give back to the game, then I would be more than glad to do so.
What are your thoughts on the progress of Italian hockey in the 21st century?
Unfortunately, there hasn’t been as much progress in Italy as there could or should have been. I think we didn’t do a good enough job with the grassroots development. It seems to be finally starting now with some of the important organizations investing in youth programs as far as ice time and quality coaching goes – not just focusing on the senior team having a decent season.
To put it simply, the bottom of the pyramid’s got to be wider and more solid. I can say that because I’ve had the opportunity, honor, and privilege to work in other countries. Countries like Hungary – where maybe the resources weren’t as plentiful as they were in Italy – have done a wonderful job. Or take a look at Norway. So hopefully things will change, because I am Italian. I am very proud of my heritage, and I would like to see it progress.
Looking back at your time with the German national team, what were some of your favorite memories and takeaways from that period?
Well, that’s elite hockey. With all due respect, it’s a different level than the Italian team or the Hungarian team. You’re dealing with elite hockey players and you saw the professionalism and just how they prepared.
He began his European adventure in Italy – the host nation for the 2026 Olympics – as an assistant coach with HC Devils Milano in 1990-91. Years later, he would also serve as the head coach of Germany – the host nation for the 2027 IIHF World Championship (Dusseldorf and Mannheim) – at the Men’s Worlds from 2013 to 2015.
And his hard work on behalf of Hungarian hockey can’t be overlooked. Cortina was the head coach of the Hungarian team at the 2009 Men’s Worlds, which ended a 70-year top-level drought for that nation. Additionally, he served as Hungary’s bench boss at three top-level Women’s Worlds (2022, 2023, 2025).
That doesn’t even take into account the numerous pro teams he coached in Italy, Germany, and Hungary over that span. Dedicated, personable, and emotional, Cortina has seen it all in these ever-developing European hockey nations.
Fittingly, Cortina was honoured with the 2026 Paul Loicq Award. Named after the Belgian-born IIHF President who served from 1922 to 1947, this award celebrates people who have made significant contributions to both the IIHF and international hockey.
Cortina, 61, spoke with IIHF.com after the IIHF Contributors’ Award Ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland, where he was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in May 2026.
How does it feel to be the Paul Loicq Award winner?
It’s surreal. Never would I have dreamed of anything like this. It’s amazing. I’m going to use this as fuel to keep going, as energy to play the third period of my life the proper way. I have had some unbelievable experiences. It’s been an unbelievable journey, and if I can give back to the game, then I would be more than glad to do so.
What are your thoughts on the progress of Italian hockey in the 21st century?
Unfortunately, there hasn’t been as much progress in Italy as there could or should have been. I think we didn’t do a good enough job with the grassroots development. It seems to be finally starting now with some of the important organizations investing in youth programs as far as ice time and quality coaching goes – not just focusing on the senior team having a decent season.
To put it simply, the bottom of the pyramid’s got to be wider and more solid. I can say that because I’ve had the opportunity, honor, and privilege to work in other countries. Countries like Hungary – where maybe the resources weren’t as plentiful as they were in Italy – have done a wonderful job. Or take a look at Norway. So hopefully things will change, because I am Italian. I am very proud of my heritage, and I would like to see it progress.
Looking back at your time with the German national team, what were some of your favorite memories and takeaways from that period?
Well, that’s elite hockey. With all due respect, it’s a different level than the Italian team or the Hungarian team. You’re dealing with elite hockey players and you saw the professionalism and just how they prepared.
We had some NHL guys and they were really good at making me feel adequate, even if I wasn’t as adequate as maybe some of the other environments that they were coming from. So when I look back, I say: “Wow, they were pretty good to me.”
Earlier in your career, you cited Vladimir Yurzinov, Scotty Bowman, and Jacques Lemaire as some of the coaches you admired. In the years since, who are some coaches that you’ve enjoyed working alongside?
On the German national team, I had some pretty good assistant coaches. And I don’t even want to call them “assistant coaches,” I’d call them colleagues. Geoff Ward is an amazing hockey man, as are Jeff Tomlinson and Niklas Sundblad – everybody I’ve come across in Germany. And Ron Ivany in Italy.
In the pro ranks, you put together a remarkable 40-game win streak with Asiago in 1999-2000. What are some other highlights that you like to look back on?
Hosting the Continental Cup final group in Szekesfehervar [including coaching Alba Volan Szekesfehervar to a third-place finish in 2004-05]. Having both the Hungarian men’s and women’s teams promoted to the top division.
Of course, there were some disappointments too, like not making the Olympics with Germany, or with the women’s team in Hungary, but that’s part of the game.
I also think of EHC Munchen, moving up to the DEL [for 2010-11] after being a second-league team and reaching the playoffs there. To see that Munich team become one of the top organizations in Europe – when we were struggling financially and on the ice 15 or 20 years ago – has been amazing.
Let’s talk more about your work with the Hungarian women’s team. One highlight was the 2022 Women’s Worlds in Herning. You beat Germany, took a point from Sweden, and made the quarter-finals.
The women’s program originally came into my life after I had been fired in Schwenningen. And although it hasn’t happened too often, it’s never a good feeling when you’re let go. You doubt yourself. You start to ask yourself a lot of questions. You start to wonder if you’re cut out for it or if you should be changing paths.
Earlier in your career, you cited Vladimir Yurzinov, Scotty Bowman, and Jacques Lemaire as some of the coaches you admired. In the years since, who are some coaches that you’ve enjoyed working alongside?
On the German national team, I had some pretty good assistant coaches. And I don’t even want to call them “assistant coaches,” I’d call them colleagues. Geoff Ward is an amazing hockey man, as are Jeff Tomlinson and Niklas Sundblad – everybody I’ve come across in Germany. And Ron Ivany in Italy.
In the pro ranks, you put together a remarkable 40-game win streak with Asiago in 1999-2000. What are some other highlights that you like to look back on?
Hosting the Continental Cup final group in Szekesfehervar [including coaching Alba Volan Szekesfehervar to a third-place finish in 2004-05]. Having both the Hungarian men’s and women’s teams promoted to the top division.
Of course, there were some disappointments too, like not making the Olympics with Germany, or with the women’s team in Hungary, but that’s part of the game.
I also think of EHC Munchen, moving up to the DEL [for 2010-11] after being a second-league team and reaching the playoffs there. To see that Munich team become one of the top organizations in Europe – when we were struggling financially and on the ice 15 or 20 years ago – has been amazing.
Let’s talk more about your work with the Hungarian women’s team. One highlight was the 2022 Women’s Worlds in Herning. You beat Germany, took a point from Sweden, and made the quarter-finals.
The women’s program originally came into my life after I had been fired in Schwenningen. And although it hasn’t happened too often, it’s never a good feeling when you’re let go. You doubt yourself. You start to ask yourself a lot of questions. You start to wonder if you’re cut out for it or if you should be changing paths.
[Hungarian Ice Hockey Association president] Zsuzsanna Kolbenheyer approached me and asked if I wanted to help out. They were looking for a mentor. And after a week I was hooked, because I rediscovered what passion for the game really means/
Women back then and now mostly – and thank God for the PWHL – play the game because they love the game. These women weren’t making a living from it, so it was pure love of the game. The fact that they made me feel like I was helping them was outstanding and amazing. It reignited my coaching passion. It’s definitely different than coaching the men’s game, but when women decide to commit, they commit, and they’re fierce competitors. So it’s beautiful.
Your former assistant Delaney Collins, who won three Women’s Worlds gold medals with Canada as a player, took over the reins with the Hungarian women’s national team. She came close to helping them return to the top division this past season. What are Delaney’s strengths as a person and a coach?
Delaney has an unbelievable hockey head. She’s a great human being. She can obviously relate well to the women. She’s played at a high level. She’s extremely skilled as a coach. I think that team is in the best hands possible. I’m really happy to see her there.
Women back then and now mostly – and thank God for the PWHL – play the game because they love the game. These women weren’t making a living from it, so it was pure love of the game. The fact that they made me feel like I was helping them was outstanding and amazing. It reignited my coaching passion. It’s definitely different than coaching the men’s game, but when women decide to commit, they commit, and they’re fierce competitors. So it’s beautiful.
Your former assistant Delaney Collins, who won three Women’s Worlds gold medals with Canada as a player, took over the reins with the Hungarian women’s national team. She came close to helping them return to the top division this past season. What are Delaney’s strengths as a person and a coach?
Delaney has an unbelievable hockey head. She’s a great human being. She can obviously relate well to the women. She’s played at a high level. She’s extremely skilled as a coach. I think that team is in the best hands possible. I’m really happy to see her there.