Russian hockey chief says Russia will seek compensation if barred from World Juniors in Alberta
Vladislav Tretiak warned that Russia will pursue compensation and may push for relocation or cancellation of the World Junior Championship if Canadian authorities bar its team from the tournament.
Russian Hockey Federation president Vladislav Tretiak said Russia will seek compensation from Canada and may request the World Junior Championship be moved or cancelled if the Russian team is denied entry to the tournament in Alberta. Ottawa confirmed that Russian players will not be allowed to compete, even if they hold valid Canadian visas, despite a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling ordering the IIHF to reinstate Russia for five international events, starting with the World Juniors on Dec. 26.
Tretiak told a presidential sports council meeting, as reported by TASS, that the federation will also seek compensation from Germany, the host of the 2027 men’s World Championship, if participation is denied. He said, "> There are rules: if a team does not take the ice, it receives a forfeit loss and sanctions are imposed. The IIHF has a way out — either allow us to participate or, if we cannot enter Canada, move the championship, not hold it at all or impose sanctions on Canada."
The Russian federation has asked the IIHF ethics council to investigate national federations that boycott games against Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin also indicated that some federations are refusing matches under government pressure.
Several European federations, including Finland, Sweden, Czechia and Norway, have announced they will not face Russia. Prime Minister Mark Carney reiterated that Russian and Belarusian athletes will not be permitted to represent their countries in Canada while the war in Ukraine continues. Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden clarified that the exemption for individual athletes does not extend to national teams, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will assess Russian and Belarusian participants individually.
The IIHF has not yet announced any changes to the tournament lineup, and its website still lists Norway among the ten participating teams. The championship is scheduled to conclude on Jan. 5.