Amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, reports have emerged that there has been growing support for the removal of Russia from all International Ice Hockey Federation events. NHL legend Wayne Gretzky seems to agree with that sentiment, having said as much during a recent appearance on NHL on TNT. Gretzky made his stance clear on whether or not he feels Russia should be included in upcoming IIHF events, going on record saying that he feels the nation should be barred from the World Juniors.
“I think international hockey should say, ‘We’re not going to let [Russia] play in the world junior hockey tournament’”
Wayne Gretzky believes the IIHF should not allow Russia to compete at the upcoming rescheduled 2022 World Juniors set for August pic.twitter.com/Re32PhT4qX
— Hockey Night in Canada (@hockeynight) February 27, 2022
“I think international hockey should say ‘we’re not going to let [Russia] play in the World Junior Hockey Tournament,” Gretzky said. “I think we got to, as Canadians, take that stance since the games are going to be played in Edmonton.”
According to recent reports, there has been growing support to bar Russia from being included in any future IIHF events, including the Men’s Worlds Championship in Finland. The NHL legend thinks they should go one step further and even prohibit the nation from partaking in the Junior tournament in August, which takes place in Edmonton.
The IIHF released a statement Friday condemning Russia’s use of military force against Ukraine. The federation plans to meet Monday to make a decision on Russia’s inclusion in the upcoming events.
In his interview on TNT, Gretzky showed support to the Polish men’s national soccer team amid their refusal to play in their World Cup Qualifying match against Russia which was scheduled for March.
Russia was supposed to play host to a number of significant sporting events this year that have since been moved or suspended indefinitely, including the 2022 UEFA Champions League Final and the F1 Sochi Grand Prix.
