World Juniors cancelled due to COVID outbreak

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.

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.

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.