Canada bars Russian visa holders from World Junior Hockey Championship in Alberta

The Canadian government announced that Russians holding valid visas will not be allowed to participate in the World Junior Hockey Championship in Alberta. The policy remains in effect while Russia continues its conflict in Ukraine. The decision follows a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling last month requiring the International Ice Hockey Federation to reinstate Russia, which has been banned since the 2022 invasion. Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed the exclusion last week, and several nations including Finland, Sweden, Czechia, and Norway have refused to play Russian teams. Russian players with valid visas currently compete in the Canadian Hockey League, which includes three major junior leagues. The tournament begins December 26 in Edmonton and Red Deer.