Hockey Canada has announced that it stands in solidarity with Ukraine and backs the IIHF's decision to suspend Russia and Belarus from international competition.
Along with the IIHF suspension, Hockey Canada announced that it also would not be allowing Russia or Belarus to compete in any competitions in Canada that do not fall under the IIHF's jurisdiction -- including the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
"Hockey Canada strongly condemns the unprovoked attack on Ukraine by Russia and stands in support of the nation of Ukraine," the statement reads.
The IIHF announced Monday that they would be suspending all Russian and Belarusian national teams and clubs from participation in every age category and in all IIHF competitions, which includes six competitions that run through September 2022.
These sanctions also including stripping Russia of hosting rights of the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship due to the current conditions.
The moves comes as sports organizations around the world react to Russia's invasion of Ukraine last week. The IOC urged event hosts to consider not allowing Russian and Belarussian athletes to compete while FIFA and UEFA said Russia would not be allowed to compete in any international events for the foreseeable future.
On the fifth day of Russia's invasion, here's how the sports world responded
Since Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 23, sports federations, as well as athletes, have weighed in on the conflict. Here's what you need to know about what was said and enacted on Monday, the fifth day of the war.
• FIFA and EUFA announced that they have suspended all Russian teams from international competition in response to the invasion, changing course after their initial sanctions against the country and its allies were widely chastised as being insufficient.
• The International Ice Hockey Federation has suspended Russia and Belarus from every age category in international play until further notice.
• Canada Soccer said it would not compete at any level against Russia "until sovereignty and territorial integrity are restored." Canada Basketball followed suit, saying it “stands in solidarity with Ukrainians.”
• The International Olympic Committee "strongly urged" sports federations and event organizers to not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions, in a decisive recommendation that comes as the 2022 Paralympic Games are set to begin.
• Wayne Gretzky lamented the human toll of the ongoing crisis while zeroing in on what Edmonton, the host of the upcoming world juniors tournament, can do to make a difference.
