Fears of a COVID-19 epidemic have led to the cancellation of the remaining Canadian junior hockey championship.
On Wednesday, the Worldwide Ice Hockey Federation introduced the choice on the recommendation of its medical employees. The IIHF cancelled the rest of the match because of the unfold of the coronavirus variant and the omicron variant. This was executed "to make sure security and well being for all individuals."
Two video games have been already forfeited as a consequence of optimistic coronavirus assessments amongst U.S., Czech and Czech gamers. One other sport was anticipated with Russia. Two U.S. and one Czech gamers had each returned optimistic coronavirus assessments, which led to the crew being positioned underneath quarantine.
The IIHF council dominated that the forfeits had compromised the integrity of the occasion, and subsequently the occasion was cancelled.
"We owe it to the taking part teams to do our greatest for this occasion," IIHF President Luc Tardif acknowledged. "Sadly, this wasn't sufficient. Now, we have to give attention to getting all of the gamers and crew personnel house safely.
On December 15, groups arrived in Alberta. Earlier than being allowed to skate, gamers have been examined and quarantined. As a consequence of optimistic virus assessments, the pre-tournament schedule was minimize to 1 sport per crew. The Swiss and Czechs have been unable to take part in an exhibition.
Tardif acknowledged that protocols have been in place earlier than an omicron surge induced six match cancellations in January. This was in an interview printed on the IIHF web site previous to the announcement of cancellation.
Tardif acknowledged that eight NHL video games have been postponed after the groups entered the quarantine. "There have been 62 NHL video games that had been postponed by the point we accepted the advice to cancel January's occasions on the twenty third. That is how shortly issues have modified."
This cancellation ends 44 years of consecutive years for IIHF's Underneath-20 Males's Championship. The 2021 match at Edmonton noticed Canada beat by america within the gold medal sport.
Tardif acknowledged that match protocols have been adjusted virtually instantly upon arrival of gamers, coaches, and employees to stop attainable unfold of the virus. This included every day testing, and mandated quarantine for all groups when optimistic instances have been confirmed.
These steps and the truth that individuals weren't absolutely contained inside a bubble led to the cancellation of the match for prime gamers underneath 20 years outdated.
John Vanbiesbrouck, U.S. junior crew normal supervisor, acknowledged that "our hearts exit to gamers and employees of not solely our nation however all nations who've labored so laborious to get right here" "We're happy with our crew and can do every little thing to make sure their secure return house.
Hockey Canada President Tom Renney and Hockey Canada CEO Scott Smith acknowledged that Hockey Canada understands and helps this determination by the IIHF.
Renney and Smith launched a press release saying that they imagine this determination is correct.
The IIHF needed to cancel the ladies's world championship under-18, citing security and well being considerations. USA Hockey and Hockey Canada requested that the IIHF rethink cancelling the ladies's match. As a substitute, they rescheduled the occasion for the good thing about the game.
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