It was a major professional tournament, because of the 2004–05 NHL labor dispute.
The Championship division was contested from April 30 to May 15, 2005, in Vienna and Innsbruck, Austria.
The playoff round was a knockout stage towards the gold medal game.
The Czech Republic won the gold medal game, defeating Canada 3–0.
Group B's games were played in Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro.
Mexico won the championship and gained promotion, along with South Africa, into the 2006 Division II tournament.