Confirmed the remainder of the #WJC will be cancelled. Disappointing for all those involved who did everything possible to play the games. Feel for players, coaches, managers, trainers, families and all the behind the scenes people who make it happen. Was fun doing PBP.
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) December 29, 2021
News is starting to filter out that the possibility of the World Junior Championships will be cancelled. It’s a shame, I know.
The Americans already had to forfeit their game vs Switzerland and now today, Czechia became the second team to forfeit vs Finland.
The IIHF is going to meet later today to discuss the options for the remainder of the tournament.
I'm hearing IIHF tournament directorate is expected to meet today to discuss the future of this World Juniors. I believe cancellation of the remainder of the tournament is on the table, but nothing decided yet.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) December 29, 2021
They have already mandated that the on ice officials will have to wear a mask for the games. How does blowing a whistle work with a mask on? Won’t there be a delay from the time they pull it down to blow the whistle and then doesn’t that defeat the purpose of the mask? How can they skate as quick as they do with a hindrance like a mask covering their mouths and breathing in already harmful carbon dioxide? Seems a bit ludicrous to me.
On the flip side of things, Edmonton Oilers coach Dave Tippett discussed how he wasn’t sick or had any symptoms while being placed in the NHL Covid protocol. He also said he spoke to all the players that were affected, and none of them were sick either. So the question is, what exactly are we doing? Why are the players being sent to protocol if they are asymptomatic? Is the same happening with the World Junior teams?
If Quebec is now allowing Doctors and Nurses to continue working while testing positive for Covid, why are we shutting down when everything appears to be fine? Doesn’t make sense, does it? Not at all.
So with all this, we all hope the tournament isn’t cancelled as the Canadian team has had some great stories so far.
Owen Power is going to be a future star in the NHL. He’s already a stud. Connor Bedard had a 4 point game as a 16 year old and we haven’t seen that since some kid wore 99 and broke records like crazy in the NHL. If this tournament does indeed continue, there will be more great stories that still need to be written.
