Norway says it has been dropped from world junior hockey championship to make room for Russia

The Norwegian Ice Hockey Association said Sunday it has been told it is being removed from the upcoming world junior hockey championship in Canada so that Russia can take part, a move that adds more uncertainty around the 10-nation tournament.

According to the NIHA, the change follows a recent Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling that reinstated Russian hockey teams to international competition, starting with the world juniors, which are set to open in Alberta on Dec. 26.

The International Ice Hockey Federation has not formally announced the decision, and complications remain. The IIHF's website still lists Norway as a participant in the event, which features the top men's players under age 20.

Russia's participation is far from certain. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said he will bar the Russian team from entering the country, which leaves open the possibility that Norway could still be included.

"The situation is still unclear," Norway's ice hockey secretary general Peter Salsten said in a statement posted on the association's website and translated from Norwegian to English. "This makes us hope that the last word has not been said about our participation in Canada."

Other factors are also at play. Six nations, including Norway, have vowed to boycott games against Russia while the war in Ukraine continues, and several long-time corporate sponsors have said they will withdraw if Russia competes.

Norway acknowledged that the IIHF has been handcuffed by the court's ruling. As the 10th-ranked team entering the tournament, the Norwegians said they were relegated to the 1A Division to open a spot for Russia.

Russia has not played in the tournament since finishing fourth in 2021. Its ban began after the country invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

"We are aware of the status and the measures the IIHF feels compelled to take, and will await further information from the IIHF in the coming days," Salsten said. "This also clearly shows all the practical challenges and immediate consequences for everyone involved when countries are reinstated immediately."