Russia threatens compensation demand if barred from World Juniors in Alberta

Russia will seek compensation from Canada if its team is barred from next month’s world juniors championship in Alberta, according to Russian hockey federation president Vladislav Tretiak. The threat follows Ottawa’s statement that Russian players will not be permitted to compete despite a court ruling ordering reinstatement. The move overturns a ban imposed after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with Canada citing its military and humanitarian support for Ukraine as making hosting awkward. Tretiak also threatened to push for tournaments to be moved and seek sanctions against organizers, according to state news agency TASS. Tretiak, a legendary Soviet goaltender, said the federation asked the IIHF ethics council to punish federations boycotting games against Russia. Several federations, including Finland and Sweden, have refused to face Russia. The world juniors begin Dec. 26 in Edmonton and Red Deer.