Wayne Gretzky backs Canada’s ban on Russia from world junior hockey, Digi Mart USA News (Toronto, Canada): Wayne Gretzky says he supports Canada’s decision to bar Russia from the upcoming world junior hockey championship in Alberta. The Canadian Press reported the comments on November 6, 2026.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said earlier this week that Russian and Belarusian athletes will not be permitted to represent their countries on Canadian soil while the war in Ukraine continues. The decision came after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that Russia must be reinstated to international hockey competition, starting with the world juniors.
Russian and Belarusian teams have been banned since Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Speaking at a Friday ceremony hosted by Upper Deck to rename the Hockey Hall of Fame’s resource centre in honour of his late father, Gretzky said he understands the position Carney has taken.
Gretzky praised Carney for making his position clear, saying “good for him,” before adding, “I think a lot of the players and the people of Canada feel the same way.”
The world juniors are scheduled to run from December 26 through January 5 in Edmonton and Red Deer.
