Every year after the NHL regular season ends the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) hosts hockey’s World Championships, also known as the “Worlds”.
It’s an annual event that National teams from all over the world take a part in. It’s similar to the Olympics, but it’s every season.
For 2015 the IIHF World Championships will start on May 1st.
Players from leagues around the world can participate, playing for their native country. Many NHL players who’s NHL teams are not in the playoffs, and who want to keep playing hockey typically represent their country at the Worlds.