Canada to bar Russian and Belarusian players from World Junior hockey tournament

Prime Minister Mark Carney said that hockey players representing Russia and Belarus will not be permitted to compete in Canada, effectively barring the two nations from the World Junior Championship scheduled to begin Dec. 26 in Edmonton and Red Deer. Carney told reporters that Canada has been asked to follow the lead of Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Latvia, which have all indicated they will not face Russian teams in international competition.

"This is a decision we take on our own, which is we will deny, while Russia and Belarus 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.

Hockey Canada confirmed ongoing talks with the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and other national associations about the implications of the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s ruling that requires the IIHF to reinstate Russian teams, starting with the World Juniors. The organization expressed disappointment with the court’s decision and said it is seeking further clarity.

Swedish Ice Hockey Association reiterated that Sweden will not play matches against Russia under current circumstances, while Finland’s federation stated that no player or official would be compelled to participate in a tournament involving Russia or Belarus. Germany’s federation chair also voiced opposition to Russia’s return to international ice-hockey events, citing security and political concerns.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha thanked the federations that refused to play Russia and urged other hockey powers, including co-host Canada, to do the same. Canadian Secretary of Sport Adam van Koeverden affirmed that Canada continues to oppose Russia’s participation in international sport while the invasion of Ukraine persists and will maintain restrictions on Russian athletes at federally funded events.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith indicated the province will comply with the CAS ruling, while Hockey Canada noted that the World Juniors tournament does not receive federal funding.