In Norway, explained how they will be able to replace Russian hockey players on the MCHM
The Russian national team replaced Norway as part of the MCM. The Norwegian federation said it still had hope to play due to visa problems with Russians and threats of boycotting matches
The Norwegian Hockey Federation (NIHF) confirmed that the country’s youth team was removed from the upcoming World Cup due to the admission of the Russian team, but expressed hope for a review of the decision. The statement is published on the organization's website.
The International Federation (IIHF), following the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), transferred the Norwegian national team to the division below (IA). The place of the Norwegians was taken by the Russians.
The NIHF called the situation “uncertain” because of the promise of the Canadian authorities not to give visas to Russians, as well as threats of boycott of matches with the Russian national team from a number of countries.
“It gives us hope that the final word on our participation in the tournament in Canada in December has not yet been said,” said NIHF Secretary General Petter Salsten.
Press Secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov earlier called the situation with the reaction of Western countries to the admission of domestic hockey players “quite deadlock”. The IIHF said it did not yet know how to implement the CAS decision.
The World Youth Championships will kick off on December 26 in Canada and will be hosted by Edmonton and Red Deer (Alberta).
The Russian national team at the 2021 tournament reached the semifinals and then lost the match for bronze, and the 2022 championship was terminated early in the group stage due to several outbreaks of the coronavirus in the teams and replayed in August, without the Russians.
