ZURICH (AP) 鈥� The International Ice Hockey Federation said Friday it will determine the status of Russia鈥檚 participation on an event-by-event basis for the 2026-27 season.
from participating in any of the tournaments run by the sport鈥檚 governing body since in February 2022. That included , including those in the NHL, from taking part in the Milan Cortina Olympics.
The decision to evaluate eligibility on a case-by-case basis comes after a , including at the youth level, was annulled following an appeal from the Russian Ice Hockey Federation. But that was not a reversal of course, as the IIHF said its disciplinary board 鈥渆xplicitly confirmed that this does not mean that Russia has automatically been reintegrated.鈥�
Earlier this week, the IIHF announced it would reintegrate Belarus at the under-18 men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 events and the women鈥檚 Division IV world championship beginning this year. Belarus had also not been allowed to play since aiding Russia in its war in Ukraine.
The IIHF Council said the decision to bring back some teams from Belarus was not taken lightly.
鈥淏ased on the assessments conducted and ongoing consultations with relevant stakeholders, we believe this can be done in a safe, responsible, and controlled manner,鈥� the council said in a statement. 鈥淭he IIHF has always believed in the importance of the international hockey family staying connected through sport. Bringing the family back together is an important step forward for our federation and for the global game.鈥�
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