Canada bars Russian players from world junior hockey despite visas

The Canadian federal government announced that Russians with valid visas to play in Canada will not be allowed to participate in the World Junior Hockey Championship in Alberta. The position remains unchanged as long as Russia continues its conflict in Ukraine, according to a statement released Wednesday. This follows a recent Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling that ordered the International Ice Hockey Federation to reinstate Russia in international competitions. Prime Minister Mark Carney stated last week that Russian and Belarusian athletes cannot play on Canadian soil despite the ruling. Several countries' hockey federations, including Finland, Sweden, Czech Republic, and Norway, have refused to face Russian players. The tournament begins December 26 in Edmonton and Red Deer.