EDMONTON, AB – The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of the remainder of the 2022 World Junior Hockey Championship in central Alberta.
The International Ice Hockey Federation made the announcement Wednesday afternoon after three teams were forced to forfeit games due to a player or players testing positive for the virus.
One game was cancelled on Tuesday, and two were cancelled early Wednesday before the IIHF made its decision.
There are four confirmed cases among the ten teams taking part: two on Team USA, and one each on Teams Russia and Czechia.
In addition to ensuring the health and safety of participants, IIHF officials say they determined that with another forfeiture, the third in two days, the integrity of the event had been compromised and the event must be cancelled.
***With files from Casey Kenny