The IIHF says Russia's U20 team cannot participate in the Dec. 26-Jan. 5 tournament in Edmonton and Red Deer due to Canadian government restrictions, and Canada will remain host.
The International Ice Hockey Federation has confirmed that Russia will not have a team at the 2027 World Junior Hockey Championship in Alberta, citing government restrictions in Canada.
The IIHF said Russia's U20 national team is unable to participate in the tournament because of "the position and restrictions formally communicated by the Canadian Government." The tournament will proceed from 26 December 2026 to 5 January 2027 in Edmonton and Red Deer, with Canada remaining as host.
"After carefully assessing the feasibility of alternative arrangements, the IIHF Council has determined that Canada will remain as host and the tournament will proceed from 26 December 2026 to 5 January 2027 in Edmonton and Red Deer," the IIHF said in a statement.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Nov. 3 at a meeting of Commonwealth countries in Antigua that Russians and Belarusians would be barred from competing in Alberta regardless of a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling.
"While Russia and Belorussia (sic) are supporting this illegal, unjustified, horrific war in Ukraine, as long as that's going on, there will be none of those athletes competing for their countries in Canada," Carney said. "So if you're asking specifically about the world juniors, the Russians will not be there."
The Russian Ice Hockey Federation called the IIHF's decision "unacceptable" and "unlawful," saying it was made solely due to political reasons and in violation of a binding CAS ruling. The RIHF said it will make a joint appeal with the Russian Olympic Committee to the International Olympic Committee and will pursue all available legal avenues.
The Norwegian Ice Hockey Federation said it received confirmation from the IIHF that Norway's U20 team will be able to participate in the World Championship in Canada as planned. Norway had previously been told it would be bumped from the tournament to make room for Russia.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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