Prime Minister Mark Carney says hockey players from Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to compete for their countries in Canada, appearing to signal both countries won’t be permitted to play in the upcoming world junior championship in Alberta.
The comments come hours after Hockey Canada said it was still in discussions with the International Ice Hockey Federation on the impact Russia’s reinstatement to international competition — and its blowback — could have on the World Juniors.
Countries including Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Latvia have said they would not play against Russia in international competition, and Carney told reporters Tuesday Canada’s been asked to follow suit.
“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.
It comes as protests from European hockey organizations grew Tuesday over Russia’s return to competition.
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The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled last week that the IIHF must reinstate Russian teams, starting with the world juniors, which begin Dec. 26 in Edmonton and Red Deer.
“We share the disappointment expressed by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and other stakeholders with the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision on Friday,” Hockey Canada said in a statement.
“We remain in discussions with the IIHF, our fellow member national associations and additional key stakeholders regarding the potential impact of the decision, and we are working towards gaining more clarity in the coming days.”
Sweden said in a statement its stance did not mean it would not participate in World Cup tournaments where Russia is participating.
“The Swedish line was and is crystal clear: Sweden will not play ice hockey matches against Russia in the situation we are in right now,” the Swedish Ice Hockey Association said in a statement.
Norway said it will not play Russia at the 2027 men’s world championship in Germany. Its statement did not specifically address the world juniors.
Norwegian Ice Hockey Association general secretary Petter Salsten told The Associated Press that Norway could be removed from next month’s world junior championship in Canada to make way for Russia.
Denmark, which is not in the world junior field, has also said it will not play Russia at the men’s worlds.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha thanked the federations that had refused to play Russia and urged other hockey powers, including co-host Canada, to follow suit.
“If CAS lacks a moral compass, let’s show that hockey still has values. Refuse to play against Russia and deny visas to its players,” he wrote in a post on X.
Sweden is the defending champion and one of 10 teams currently set to compete at the world junior tournament, along with Canada, Czechia, Switzerland, the United States, Germany, Latvia, Slovakia, Norway and Finland.
Finland’s federation said no player or team official would be obliged to take part in a tournament involving Russia or Belarus, and that it supported those who chose not to.
German federation board chair Frank H. Lutz wrote on the organization’s website, “We reject the return of Russian national teams to international ice hockey tournaments.”
Germany is the host of the 2027 men’s world championship, and Ukraine is a participating country.
“Allowing Russia to participate would have significant security, political, and economic consequences for us as hosts,” Lutz said last week.
Canada’s federal government has said it opposes Russia’s return and will maintain restrictions on Russian athletes at events in Canada that receive federal funding.
Following the decision on Oct. 30, Canada’s Secretary of Sport Adam van Koeverden said the federal government strongly opposes the court’s decision.
“We take great pride in welcoming the world to compete at the highest level and sharing the hospitality and spirit that define us as Canadians. But with that pride also comes a responsibility to uphold our principles and values,” he said in a statement on Friday afternoon.
Canada’s stance on Russia’s actions has not changed, the minister said.
“Canada maintains, as it has since 2022, that Russia should not be represented in international sport competitions while Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable full-scale invasion against Ukraine continues,” van Koeverden said.
“Canada will maintain restrictions on the participation of Russian athletes at events hosted in Canada that receive funding from the Government of Canada and explore further options to ensure that the Russian government is held accountable.”
Hockey Canada confirmed the world juniors is not federally funded.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said the province would comply with the CAS ruling.
—with files from Global News’ Sean Previl
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