The IIHF determined that the best way to continue advancing the competitive level of nations not invited to the Olympic tournament was to fund participation every year.

[2] However after discussion it was changed so that the two teams in question played best of three series instead of simply swapping places.

[3] The last-placed team of the 2014 Olympics faced the winner of the 2014 Division I A tournament in a best-of-three series.

The Division II Group A tournament was played in Asiago, Italy, from 6 to 12 April 2014.

The Division II Group B tournament was played in Reykjavík, Iceland, from 24 to 30 March 2014.