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
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Toronto eliminated from PWHL playoffs
Toronto has been eliminated from the PWHL playoffs.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.