The former general secretary of the Royal Belgian Ice Hockey Federation, Jan Bergman, passed away on 7 June 2009 in Turnhout, Belgium. He was 82 years old.

Older members of Ice Hockey Journalists UK will remember Mr Bergman as the organiser of the World Championship, Pool D, tournament in Geel and Heist op-den-Berg in 1989.

Bergman, a Dutch with Swedish roots, was born on January 24, 1927 in Schoten, Netherlands. After a career as a player and coach, he joined the RBIHF in 1971 where he was a referee before becoming the general secretary from 1989-1995. He was named honorary general secretary later.

One of his sons, Sven, started a career as a referee in Belgium and recently officiated in IIHF tournaments.