Weegar loves watching Russia play hockey, but says Europe may see it differently
Several European federations said they will boycott games against Russia after a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling ordered its return to international hockey.
- The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled last week that the International Ice Hockey Federation must reinstate Russian teams, effective immediately for the World Junior Championship beginning December 26 in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta.
- Russia and its ally Belarus had been barred from competition since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Several European hockey federations, including Sweden, Finland, Czechia, and Latvia, have now said their national teams will not play Russia in international competition.
- Although the International Ice Hockey Federation criticized the ruling, it intends to comply. Most objecting federations plan to participate in tournaments but will refuse to take the ice against Russian opponents.
- NHL players offered mixed reactions to the decision. Utah Mammoth defenceman MacKenzie Weegar said he has "always loved seeing Russia in the Olympics and in those best-on-bests," while Montreal Canadiens forward Oliver Kapanen declined to comment.
- Some decisions are expected to be made at an International Ice Hockey Federation meeting scheduled for November 23. The World Junior Championship remains set for late December in Edmonton and Red Deer.
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64 Articles
Six European hockey powers have refused to play against Russia after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne ordered the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to allow Russian national teams to compete in the 2026/27 season. Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Latvia and the Czech Republic joined the boycott. The CAS ruling on October 30 overturned five resolutions of the IIHF council and ordered the federation to ensure the part…
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