Team Canada loses six more players for upcoming World Junior Championships

What are the odds that we actually see this tournament played?

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 3 years ago
Team Canada loses six more players for upcoming World Junior Championships
Zuma Press

Don't look now but the puck is set to drop on the 2021 World Junior Championships in less than three weeks time... that is provided the entire tournament doesn't come crumbling down due to COVID-19.

With reports earlier this week that several prominent players have been forced to drop out due to positive COVID-19 cases, today's news from TSN reporter Ryan Rishaug absolutely blows the lid off those earlier reports. Accord to Rishaug Canadian hopefuls Matthew Robertson, Mason Millman, Xavier Simoneau, Dryden Hunt and Ridly Greig have all been listed as "unfit to play" and "unable to continue camp."

Check it out:



It's worth noting that teams are training and planning to play the tournament within the "bubble" in Edmonton. So... unlike the NHL, the IIHF has been unable to keep the virus out of their bubble. This, obviously, could have devastating effects. In fact, Hockey Canada's VP of Hockey Operations Scott Salmand admitted that entire teams may be forced to drop out of the tournament but that the tournament could go ahead with just eight teams.

Check it out:



Team Sweden is at serious risk of having to forfeit the tournament after a COVID-19 outbreak amongst the team's coaching staff. Literally four of five Swedish coaches have tested positive and the team has been forced to call up a coach from their U18 team to help fill a role.



When asked by a fan if Sweden may need to forfeit the tournament, Bodin replied, "they need more coaches to make it work, that's for sure."

UPDATE: The team has now issued a statement in Swedish. 

Check it out (translated to English)"

Players and leaders in the Junior Crowns were tested on Sunday 6 December before the trip to Sundsvall. Nizze Landén was tested negative on both speed tests and pcr tests that were done on Sunday. On Tuesday, a quick test was taken where Landén showed a positive answer and at the same time, according to the test schedule, a pcr test was done which today shows a positive result. Landén was isolated immediately after the answer to the quick test on Tuesday.
We had an urgent need to supplement our management staff even before this announcement, so we are in a serious situation in terms of the rules set for the tournament. We have a dialogue with the International Federation and will now update them on our situation to see what alternatives we have. It will be clear to everyone that we are in a very tough situation based on our ability to call in new leaders, says Secretary General Johan Stark.

Anyone out there know Swedish? Having your coaching certification up to date? You might be candidate #1 for a new head coaching job with one of the world's hockey super powers.

The tournament is set to get underway on Christmas Day with 10 countries battling it out from the bubble in Edmonton.

Source: Ryan Rishaug