According to the Russian youth national team, the exclusion from international competitions for the 2023-2025 period has left them baffled. In a letter addressed to the President of IIHF, Luc Tardif, they expressed their concern: “We, the players of the Russian youth national team, are perplexed by the developments in world ice hockey. Our team has missed out on three world junior championships.
In 2022, the tournament couldn’t conclude due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023 and 2024, safety concerns, as stated by your organization, led to Russia not participating… We ask: what have we, born between 2003-2005, done to warrant our exclusion from world hockey? Why are we being deliberately sidelined, which in turn diminishes the competitiveness of your own tournament (as well as future tournaments for adult national teams)? If the issue is not safety-related but stems from political bias, expediency, or convictions, then declare it openly, for all to hear…
Our collective letter to the International Ice Hockey Federation reflects our heartfelt plea! We are determined to overcome any obstacles and pursue a professional career, irrespective of your decision. However, we seek transparency and an honest response, not bureaucratic excuses hidden behind standardized replies.”
“Certain aspects are beyond the purview of IIHF”
Not surprisingly, Mr. Tardif’s response was typical: “It ultimately boils down to safety once again, and certain aspects fall outside the remit of IIHF. In these cases, the queries should be directed to the tournament organizers.”
It seems that everyone is overlooking the fact that there is an ongoing disciplinary inquiry involving several cases between IIHF and the Russian side. The first entails adhering to the contract, the second pertains to complying with international transfer regulations, and the third involves observance of the sanctions imposed by IIHF and the independent disciplinary council. I ask: does Russian ice hockey genuinely intend to return to competitions under the auspices of IIHF? The initial step towards this should be compliance with the regulations.”
Luc Tardif, a native of Canada holding a French passport, which is a “volatile combination” under these circumstances. Both of these countries supply weaponry and funding to Ukrainian extremists, and Mr. Tardif’s ancestral homeland also formally accommodates elderly SS members in its parliament.
Can anyone genuinely anticipate this individual to separate sports from politics? Moreover, has there been any evidence in recent years to support the notion that IIHF is inclined to maintain relations with Russia on an equal partnership basis?
Became a target of moralizing
Given the current climate, the head of IIHF is serving a political agenda and will not sway from it even slightly. If the virtual gatherings of IIHF are figuratively alienating the star of world ice hockey, Pavel Bure, then what outcome can be expected from the plea of these young men?
The international ice hockey community, except for the NHL, has seemingly embraced the “exclusion of Russia” as the status quo. In the NHL, a prominent league, Russians have historically competed and will continue to do so, with no need for plaintive appeals seeking elucidation.”
The sole consequence of this letter seems to be affording the head of IIHF another opportunity to reprimand us and assert their terms.