Bad news, friends. Due to positive COVID-19 tests on multiple teams – and after three forfeited games due to those tests – the International Ice Hockey Federation has cancelled the 2022 World Junior Championship tournament, per Daily Faceoff’s Chris Peters.
NEWS: Daily Faceoff's @chrismpeters is reporting that the IIHF will cancel the remainder of the World Juniors, amid forfeited games and tightening health restrictions.
More to come… pic.twitter.com/JYzSTOqhSf
— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) December 29, 2021
The United States forfeited Tuesday’s game against Switzerland due to positive tests. On Wednesday, Czechia forfeited their game with Finland and Russia forfeited their game with Slovakia – both due to positive tests.
Some of the COVID-19 protocols, or lack thereof, within the tournament drew criticism from those competing.
One staff member on a European team in same hotel as USA in Red Deer calls the current covid protocols and lack of isolation from the community "ridiculous", saying they've come into contact with said wedding guests. https://t.co/KcM3lrXo6u
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) December 29, 2021
2021 first-round selection Matt Coronato (of the United States) was the lone Calgary Flames representative in the tournament. The United States won the gold medal in last year’s event and was considered a strong contender to repeat in this year’s event.
The 2023 edition of the tournament is slated for next year in Novosibirsk and Omsk, Russia.
