Sweden’s decision to refuse to play Russia in upcoming international hockey tournaments has prompted fans to ask Hockey Canada to take the same position.
TSN’s Chris Johnston reported the Swedish Ice Hockey Association’s announcement on X, writing that Sweden had joined Finland, Denmark and Norway in refusing to play Russia.
The post drew several replies, with fans questioning why Canada had yet to follow the four federations.
“Canada, care to follow?” one user asked.
Another tagged Hockey Canada directly and questioned its silence.
“@HockeyCanada what’s taking so long? This is an easy decision. If the corrupt CAS won’t keep the Russians out, then everyone should refuse to play them.”
Another fan wrote:
“Canada needs to join them!”
One reply also pointed to the possible implications for the NHL’s 2028 World Cup of Hockey.
“That’s four Nordic federations on record. Reports say Sweden and Finland already told the NHL and NHLPA they’d skip an event Russia is invited to, which makes the 2028 World Cup of Hockey invite list a harder call for the league.”
Another user took the discussion in a different direction, writing:
“They should also refuse to play the USA”
The Swedish federation announced its decision on Tuesday, reversing an earlier position from chair Anders Larsson, who said last week that a boycott was not being considered.
“The Three Crowns will not play Russia in coming world championship tournaments,” Larsson said in a statement. Latvia’s federation has also said it will not play Russia, the Associated Press reported.
The announcements follow a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling on Friday requiring the IIHF to reinstate Russian teams, starting with the World Junior Championship on December 26 in Edmonton and Red Deer.
Hockey Canada yet to follow Sweden, Finland and Norway
Hockey Canada has not announced that it will refuse to play Russia. Following the CAS ruling, the federation said it was still assessing the implications and was in contact with the IIHF for more information.
The Canadian government has taken a separate position. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand called the ruling “very unwelcome,” while Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden said Canada would maintain restrictions on Russian athletes at events hosted in the country that receive federal funding.
That distinction matters for the upcoming World Juniors. Hockey Canada confirmed that the tournament does not receive federal funding. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has also said the province would comply with the CAS ruling.
The question could become more complicated for the NHL ahead of the 2028 World Cup of Hockey. In March, Czech outlet iDNES reported that the Czech, Swedish and Finnish federations had told the league they would skip the February 2028 tournament if Russia were included.
Commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly later said no formal notice had been filed. Daly did say the league was “in sync” with those federations and suggested Russia would likely be excluded if the war in Ukraine continued. The eight-team field has not yet been announced.
The World Juniors begin on December 26 in Edmonton and Red Deer, while the men’s World Championship is scheduled for May 14-30, 2027, in Germany.
Edited by Sonali Verma
