Wayne Gretzky backs Canada's ban on Russia at world junior hockey championship

TORONTO · Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky has endorsed Canada's decision to bar Russian and Belarusian athletes from the upcoming world junior championship. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the policy this week, stating athletes from those countries cannot compete under their national flags on Canadian soil while the war in Ukraine continues. The move follows a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport that Russia must be reinstated to international hockey. Russian and Belarusian teams have been excluded from competition since the 2022 invasion.

Gretzky expressed his support at a Friday ceremony in Toronto where the Hockey Hall of Fame's resource centre was renamed in honour of his late father. "Nobody likes war, right?" said the NHL's all-time points leader, who has roots in Ukraine, Belarus and Poland. "We definitely don't want to see this. We hope it ends. We wish it didn't start. And I understand the stance the prime minister is taking, and good for him. He's made that stance and he's made it clear." He added that he believes many Canadian players and citizens share this view.

The tournament is set for Edmonton and Red Deer from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5. Carney, speaking from the Commonwealth Summit in Antigua on Tuesday, said Russian athletes would be denied visas. He stated that as long as Russia and Belarus support the war, their athletes will not compete for their countries in Canada, confirming Russia's exclusion from the world juniors. The federal government said it will use immigration powers to block athletes and officials from entering under their national symbols.

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In a statement, the government clarified the ban targets state propaganda, not individual citizens. "This measure is not directed at the Russian and Belarusian people," the statement said. "Rather, it is intended to prevent the governments of Russia and Belarus from using international sporting events hosted in Canada as platforms for state representation, political legitimacy and propaganda." Officials added that entry would be considered on a case-by-case basis and neutral athletes could still participate.

Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev said the CAS ruling from Oct. 30 is final and that his country will work with the International Ice Hockey Federation to return to competition. Several European hockey federations, including those of Sweden, Finland, Czechia and Latvia, have also stated their teams will refuse to play against Russia. Gretzky's comments came alongside an announcement of new partnerships with the memorabilia company Upper Deck.

With files from The Canadian Press, CBC News and Global News