Russia and Belarus’ international ice hockey exclusion has been extended for another season, the IIHF Council announced on Wednesday [22 March].
“Based on a detailed risk assessment from a renowned company that specializes in assessing risks due to various global challenges, the IIHF Council determined that it is not yet safe to reincorporate the Russian and Belarusian Teams back into IIHF Competitions, and that it will not be safe for the upcoming 2023-24 IIHF Championship season,” a spokesperson for the world governing body wrote.
“Therefore, the IIHF will move forward with the 2023-24 IIHF Championship season without the Russian and Belarusian Teams.”
In February 2022, the IIHF suspended Russia and Belarus from international play “until further notice” in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
The IIHF also removed Russia as the host of the 2023 Men’s World Championship and moved the competition to Tampere, Finland and Riga, Latvia.
Liam Kirk, in action versus Belarus (Image: Dean Woolley)
The Swedish Ice Hockey Association – which has been vocal in support of the ban – quickly announced its support of the extension.
“It is a good and important decision that Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to participate in international championships next season,” the federation for Sweden wrote. “It is a decision that we in Swedish ice hockey stand behind and see as completely necessary in the current situation.”
The Russian Ice Hockey Federation blasted the IIHF for using what it calls “contrived reasons” to block its teams from playing international events.
Analysis: IIHF extends international ice hockey bans for Russia and Belarus
The IIHF has set an important standard with its decision to freeze Russia and Belarus out of another international season.
‘If you invade another nation,’ the IIHF has essentially said, ‘you will not be allowed to participate in international ice hockey competitions.’
And that shouldn’t come as a surprise, especially when several hockey superpowers currently share a border with Russia or were previously on the doorstep of the Soviet Union.
The 2023 NHL Entry Draft will provide the sport with its next international relations flashpoint, with the status of wonderkid Russian prospect Matvei Michkov uncertain.
Michkov is a consensus top-three talent in a stacked draft class – but the situation in Russia, and his three-year contract with SKA St. Petersburg, will inevitably affect where he is selected.
“It is my dream to play in the NHL one day,” he told NHL.com through an interpreter last month. “But for now I will continue to work on my game and develop as a player at home.”
