Finland Leads Push to Keep Russia Out of Hockey

Finland Seeks Backing From Other Nations
Over the weekend, Finland reached out to the IIHF's other member federations, and those talks are set to continue this week. Association president Heikki Hietanen said the goal is to bring together as many countries as possible and tell the IIHF that none of them will take the ice against Russia under these conditions. He stressed that a joint stand carries far more weight than Finland simply announcing its own position. The country's policy stays the same: no games against Russia for as long as the war of aggression against Ukraine goes on.

The IIHF Executive Board began a two-day meeting on Monday, with the Russia issue at the top of the agenda. Hietanen noted that it is up to the IIHF to announce the outcome once the meeting ends. He added that he has already made Finland's stance plain and that the work would carry on the following day.

Turku Ready to Walk Away From 2028 Event
The city of Turku has taken a firm line too. Local authorities said on Monday that it will give up hosting the 2028 IIHF World Junior Ice Hockey Championships if Russia is allowed to compete. Officials argued that staging the tournament alongside a Russian team would clash with the city's values and ethical principles.

Mayor Piia Elo said Turku sticks to its principles even when that means losing major events and the opportunities that come with them. As long as Russia keeps waging an aggressive war in Ukraine, she said, the city cannot accept the Russian national team playing there. Turku still hopes the IIHF and the Finnish government can find a way to block Russian participation, and it said it would gladly host the games if Russia stays out.

First Test Comes in Canada as Sponsor Pulls Out
The first event where CAS has ordered the IIHF to include Russia is the 2027 World Junior Championship in Canada, which is due to begin on December 26. The IIHF could not be reached for comment straight away.

Meanwhile, the pressure is coming from the business side as well. Earlier on Monday, AJ Products, the Swedish furniture company that has sponsored the Men's Ice Hockey World Championships since 1989, said it will not back next year's tournament because of Russia's participation.