It is not overly common for players not yet 18 to play at the WHC, but it has occurred on occasion, just not not for Hockey Canada. What is being intimated here is that it is an insurance issue. Extra insurance needs to be purchased in order for a 17 year old to play at the mens tournament. And perhaps Hockey Canada is not willing to pay the extra premium. We will find out in the next week or so. I'll be disappointed if I got to wait a year to see Bedard play a WHC tournament. but since I was playing with the idea of travelling to Prague next year for the event, this would all but guarantee my travel plans to Cesko next year