IIHF suspends Russia from World Juniors in response to Ukraine invasion
The International Ice Hockey Federation has suspended all Russian national teams from competition until “further notice,” including the rescheduled 2022 World Juniors set for Alberta this August.
The decision came Monday following a meeting of the IIHF’s council.
“The IIHF is not a political entity and cannot influence the decisions being taken over the war in Ukraine,” IIHF President Luc Tardif said in a statement posted online.
“We nevertheless have a duty of care to all of our members and participants and must therefore do all we can to ensure that we are able to operate our events in a safe environment.”
The junior tournament in Edmonton and Red Deer was called off Dec. 30 after four days because of a COVID-19 outbreak.
The IIHF rescheduled the event for August in Alberta, though details have yet to be released.
Team Russia was based in Red Deer during the first attempt at the tournament last December, but had to forfeit its third game due to positive COVID-19 tests.
After the tournament was cancelled, members of the team had to be removed from the flight home following an onboard disturbance that passengers told CTV News involved coaches and players drinking, vaping, smoking and ignoring cabin crew instructions.
Russia is typically among the favourites to win the world junior hockey championship, having won a medal at nine of the prior 11 tournaments.
The country is also slated to host the 2023 World Juniors starting on Dec. 26, 2022.
The IIHF says it will “initiate discussions in the coming months to find a new host for the event.”
Any changes to tournament seeding and promotion or relegation from Division I will be announced in the coming days.
The IIHF sanctions also apply to Belarus, a Russian political ally, who also won the Division I under-20 tournament and were expected to be promoted to the World Juniors proper for the 2023 tournament.
Team Russia also appears to be barred from the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, an international under-18 tournament not sanctioned by the IIHF and to be held in Edmonton immediately prior to the World Juniors this August.
Hockey Canada issued a statement in support of the IIHF's suspension of Russia and Belarus, adding it will take a similar position.
"Hockey Canada has also made the decision not to allow their [Russia and Belarus] participation in events held in Canada that do not fall under the IIHF's jurisdiction."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, allowing states to ban abortions
The U.S. Supreme Court has ended the nation's constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place nearly 50 years in a decision by its conservative majority to overturn Roe v. Wade. Friday's outcome is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states.

'Devastating setback': Trudeau, politicians react to overturning of Roe v. Wade
Canadian politicians are responding to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to end constitutional protections for abortion, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calling the news 'horrific.'
Roe v. Wade abortion ruling raising alarms among Canadian advocates
Canadian advocates are cautioning against complacency regarding abortions protections in place in Canada, after the U.S. Supreme court voted to overturn Roe v. Wade on Friday.
Roe v. Wade: These U.S. states are likely to ban abortion
With the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to end constitutional protections for abortion, 26 states are likely to ban abortions; 13 of which are expected to enact bans against the medical procedure immediately.
'It feels so good': Alberta MP celebrates overturning of Roe v. Wade
A Member of Parliament from rural Alberta went live on Facebook Friday to celebrate a United States Supreme Court vote to end constitutional protections for abortion.
Two dead, 14 wounded in Norway nightclub shooting, police say
Two people were killed and 14 wounded on Saturday in a shooting at a nightclub and in nearby streets in Norway's capital Oslo, Norwegian police said.
Mummified baby woolly mammoth discovered in Yukon 'most complete' find in North America: officials
Miners working in a gold field in Yukon have uncovered what is being called the 'most complete' mummified woolly mammoth found to date in North America, officials announced on Friday.
'So scary': Flying shovel misses Mississauga driver by just centimetres
An Ontario driver is speaking out after a shovel struck her windshield while she was driving on the highway.
This is who's in and who's out of Doug Ford's cabinet
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has unveiled his cabinet for the 43rd Parliament and there are some big changes to the front bench.