Ice hockey in Belarus and several have also played in the National Hockey League in North America. Ice hockey in Belarus Ice hockey in Belarus is governed by the Belarus Ice Hockey Federation. Belarusian men's and junior national teams participate at the IIHF World Championships. Belarus has been a member of the IIHF since May 6, 1992. The national hockey team finished fourth at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics following a memorable upset win over Sweden in the quarterfinals, and regularly competes in the World Championships, often making the quarterfinals. The Belarusian Extraliga was founded in 1992. Numerous Belarusian players are present in
Ice hockey in Slovenia formed Slovenian Ice Hockey League. In the same year Slovenia national ice hockey team was formed, playing their first official match in Austria in 1992. Ice hockey in Slovenia Ice hockey in Slovenia is governed by the Ice Hockey Federation of Slovenia ("Hokejska zveza Slovenije"). Slovenia is participating in the international ice hockey as an independent nation since 1991, when the country gained independence from SFR Yugoslavia. Ice hockey came to the territories that are today part of Slovenia in the late twenties, when it was promoted by Stanko Bloudek. First ice hockey match was played by Ilirija and Kamnik