The National Hockey League (NHL) would attempt to stage a World Cup that would not be a true World Cup, since a reduced number of countries could participate and Russia would have to be excluded.
There have been numerous discussions between the NHL and the players’ association in recent days and the goal of holding an international tournament in February 2025 is very real. However, according to hockey players’ representative Marty Walsh, Russia could continue to eat its brown bread.
He told the Daily Faceoff podcast “Frankly Speaking” that Russia would “probably” not have a place in that competition. Several countries reportedly intend to boycott such a tournament should President Vladimir Putin’s nation take part due to the invasion of Ukraine.
“I represent everyone,” said Walsh, who has to speak to Russian NHL players. I will support her. It’s a very complicated situation. It’s complicated, but at the same time very unfortunate. It’s a terrible situation, you try to separate sport from what’s happening in the world and it’s complex.”
The director of the players’ association confirmed that the Bettman circuit would not contact the IIHF and therefore only NHL athletes could participate. The countries chosen would be Canada, the United States, Sweden and Finland, four world hockey powers.
“The schedule we want for the World Cup is about the same [l’IIHF] a for the World Cup. They also have responsibilities of respect,” Walsh explained.
The World Cup of Hockey last took place in 2016. The participating teams at that time included Canada, the USA, Russia, Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic as well as delegations from the rest of Europe and from 23 and under North America.