Norway says it was bumped by IIHF to make room for Russia at world juniors in Canada

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Norway says it has been informed it is being removed from the world junior men’s ice hockey championship in Canada to allow Russia to compete, a development the Norwegian Ice Hockey Association says has added uncertainty to the tournament.

The association said the change comes after the Court of Arbitration for Sport reinstated Russian hockey teams to compete internationally, beginning with the world juniors scheduled to open in Alberta on Dec. 26.

The NIHA said there are still complications because the decision has not yet been formally announced by the International Ice Hockey Federation. It also said the IIHF website still lists Norway as a participant in the tournament.

Norway’s ice hockey secretary general Peter Salsten said the situation remains unclear. “This makes us hope that the last word has not been said about our participation in Canada,” he said in a statement posted on the association’s website.

The NIHA said Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated he will bar Russia from entering Canada, leaving open the possibility that Norway could still be included.

The association also noted that six nations, including Norway, have vowed to boycott games against Russia as long as the war in Ukraine is ongoing. It said several long-time corporate sponsors have also indicated they would drop out if Russia competes.

Norway acknowledged what it described as practical limits created by the court’s ruling, and said it was relegated to the 1A Division to open the spot for Russia. The NIHA said Russia has not competed in the tournament since a fourth-place finish in 2021, and that its ban began after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

The NIHA said it is awaiting further information from the IIHF. “This also clearly shows all the practical challenges and immediate consequences for everyone involved when countries are reinstated immediately,” Salsten said.