Russia’s Hockey Federation Seeks Relocation or Cancellation of World Juniors Amid Player Ban
Russia's Hockey Federation is seeking to have the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championships in Canada relocated or canceled after Canada barred Russian players from participating in the tournament.
Miami Fort Lauderdale, FL, November 12, 2026 —
The Russian Hockey Federation has formally requested that the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championships, scheduled to be held in Canada, be relocated or canceled. This action follows a decision by Canada to bar Russian players from participating in the tournament.
The specifics of the Canadian decision, including the precise entities that issued the ban and the exact timeline of its enforcement, were not detailed in the available information. Similarly, the exact nature of the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championships, such as the specific dates and venues within Canada, was not provided.
In response to being excluded, the Russian Hockey Federation has put forth its demand for either a change of venue for the international competition or its complete cancellation. The Federation’s statement did not specify what actions would be taken if their request is not met, nor did it detail the communication channels used for this demand.
The World Junior Hockey Championships is a significant annual event in international ice hockey, typically featuring national under-20 teams from various countries. The exclusion of Russian players represents a notable disruption to the established participation of national federations in such global sporting events. Further details on any potential responses from the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) or Canadian sports authorities regarding the Russian Federation’s request were not immediately available.
Story summarized from the original created by Associated Press on www.local10.com, see more information here.
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