Russia threatens compensation if barred from world juniors in Alberta

Russian hockey federation president Vladislav Tretiak threatened to seek compensation from Canada and push for the relocation or cancellation of next month's world junior championship in Alberta if Russia is barred from competing. Ottawa confirmed Wednesday that Russian players would not be permitted to compete despite a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling ordering Russia's reinstatement to international hockey. Tretiak told Russia's TASS news agency the IIHF should either allow participation, move the championship, cancel it, or impose sanctions on Canada. Russia and Belarus have been banned from international hockey since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Prime Minister Mark Carney said last week that Russian and Belarusian athletes would not represent their countries in Canada while the war continues, and the tournament is scheduled to run from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5.