The hockey NHL would like to have its Russian stars at the 2024 World Cup, but this plan has hit European participants hard in the tournament.
“I think our Russian players would like to attend the event. And we would definitely like to please them,” NHL Deputy Chief Bill Daly said in mid-September.
“We realize the value that Russia brings to international hockey. It would be a real shame if our Russian hockey players, who have done nothing wrong, were not given the opportunity to play against the best. We would like to find a match. way to ensure that this doesn’t happen, “he added.
For example, it has been suggested that the NHL apply the model of the last two Winter Olympics and the penultimate World Championship, where Russian hockey players competed, but not under their banner.
However, such a concession is not enough for European participants. In light of Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine they refuse some participation of Russian hockey players. Only the end of the conflict could lead to a change of attitude.
“Obviously it is relevant and we take it into account in our decision making,” Daly said this week.
He admitted that the possible start of the Russian stars under a neutral flag did not meet with understanding. “If I understand what the problem is, it doesn’t seem like this option should be a solution for European countries that want to participate,” she added.
Swedish hockey has recently publicly stated its negative attitude. “We have explained the European point of view on the issue. As long as there is a war, we cannot play against the Russian team,” said union vice president Peter Forsberg, namesake of the legendary hockey player.
The argument resonated also in Finland. “If Russia is admitted to the World Cup, Finland should withdraw and behave morally in the face of greed of the NHL,” reads a comment on the popular website Jatkoaika.com, saying it didn’t matter under which banner the Russians would compete.
The NHL wants to hold the World Cup in February 2024, which is less than a year and a half away. Since it is his tournament, he does not need the permission of the IIHF international federation, which has excluded the choir from all competitions even for the current season. However, the overseas league has to do with individual national federations, at least this has been the case in previous years.
The participation of the Russians is the biggest question mark surrounding the tournament, which last took place in the fall of 2016. At the time, the European selection, which included Slovaks, Germans and Swiss, as well as North America under 23 unusually.
This shouldn’t happen again. The NHL has eight national teams and is considering a qualifying tournament. He would play for “two or three places” of the aforementioned eight, as Daly revealed during a visit to Prague as part of a doubleheader between Nashville and San Jose.
The event is expected to take place in both Europe and North America, with knockout fights hosted only overseas.
If the plans don’t fall apart, it will be the first tournament with the biggest stars since the 2016 World Cup. In the meantime, two Winter Olympics have been played, in South Korea and China, but the NHL has not sent its hockey players. to one of the two.
