- Norway has been moved down to Division 1A and removed from the 2027 World Juniors in Canada
- The IIHF slotted Russia in as nation number ten, leaving Norway as the lowest-ranked team
- Read below for Norway’s reaction, Canada’s visa stance and what could still change
Norway is out of the 2027 World Juniors, and Russia is taking its spot.
The Norwegian Ice Hockey Association said in a release on Sunday that the IIHF informed it Saturday of a new tournament setup. Russia now sits as nation number ten, which makes Norway the lowest-ranked team and the one that drops to Division 1A. The tournament starts Dec. 26 in Edmonton and Red Deer.
This is the first real casualty of the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling that found the IIHF never proved its case for banning Russia. Norway earned promotion out of Division 1A last year, so it is losing a spot it won on the ice.
Federation secretary general Petter Salsten explained how the association sees the move in the statement.
“We have previously made it clear where we stand on the issue of Russia’s participation, where we believe they should not be able to participate internationally as long as the war in Ukraine continues,” Salsten said. “This also clearly shows all the practical challenges and immediate consequences for everyone involved when countries are to be reinstated immediately.”
Salsten was also asked whether the decision is final. The federation isn’t treating it that way, and the reason is Canada.
“The authorities in Canada have made it clear that Russian players will not be granted visas to participate in the junior world championship,” Salsten said. “In addition, several of the participating countries have said that they will not participate, or face Russia, if they are faced with them in the championship. This makes us hope that the last word has not been said about our participation in Canada in December.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney already said the Russians will not be at the World Juniors in Alberta. Switzerland has since said its U20 team won’t play Russia, and Norway was one of the first countries to say it would refuse to face Russia in the first place.
Norway now waits on further word from the IIHF in the coming days. If Russia can’t get into Canada, the spot Norway lost may be sitting empty in December.
