Disappointing update on the World Juniors is a “big blow” for Team Canada

Canada will play host to the 2022 World Junior Hockey Championship for the second straight year, this time in both Edmonton and Red Deer, and though this year’s tournament won’t be played in a ‘bubble’, it was just announced that it will be played at 50% capacity with no eating or drinking in the stands, according to Alberta Health.

Per Frank Seravalli, this is a big blow for Team Canada and the IIHF, who were hoping a second go-round in Edmonton would be with a full house.

Always a medal contender at the World Juniors, Canada went undefeated last year up until the gold medal game. They were hoping for full home ice support to get to the top of the podium. The United States enters the 2022 World Juniors as defending champions.

This is tough news, though it was somewhat expected, with the NHL going on a league-wide pause on Wednesday and the real sense NHL players aren’t headed to the Olympics as the league and NHLPA are making a decision as we speak.

The change will apply to NHL games in Edmonton and Calgary as well. Ontario venues implemented similar 50 per cent capacity restrictions this past Saturday, while fans in Montreal can no longer attend Canadiens’ games at the moment.