Without Russia, the WJC should be reduced to 5 teams

[Dr Pepper]

Maybe you should educate yourself if you believe the majority of Russian population is against the war… and you should also read about why sport is important for totalitarian regimes.

........

Teenage Russian hockey players didn't decide to invade Ukraine.

Insisting that they had any part whatsoever in that decision is just foolish, but hey, you do you.

Who knows, though, maybe the IIHF is doing them a favour. Including the Russian teenagers would inevitably lead to incessant whining and protests from others, both on social media and during the games, so perhaps it's best to avoid that whole mess.

It really sucks for the players though, they shouldn't be held responsible for the actions of others.

 

[Satan]

........

Teenage Russian hockey players didn't decide to invade Ukraine.

Insisting that they had any part whatsoever in that decision is just foolish, but hey, you do you.

Who knows, though, maybe the IIHF is doing them a favour. Including the Russian teenagers would inevitably lead to incessant whining and protests from others, both on social media and during the games, so perhaps it's best to avoid that whole mess.

It really sucks for the players though, they shouldn't be held responsible for the actions of others.

Yeah it sucks for the players- but it's a minor consequence in comparison to what their country is imposing on Ukraine. Russian's deserve no joy from watching their hockey teams compete internationally. They can get f***ed until the war is over.

 

[Wanderson]

........

Teenage Russian hockey players didn't decide to invade Ukraine.

Insisting that they had any part whatsoever in that decision is just foolish, but hey, you do you.

Who knows, though, maybe the IIHF is doing them a favour. Including the Russian teenagers would inevitably lead to incessant whining and protests from others, both on social media and during the games, so perhaps it's best to avoid that whole mess.

It really sucks for the players though, they shouldn't be held responsible for the actions of others.

So.What? Russia did and the hockey players are representing Russia.

And if Russia is allowed back in Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany and Latvia will stay at home.

 

[kingsholygrail]

I blame OP for USA losing.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

........

Teenage Russian hockey players didn't decide to invade Ukraine.

Insisting that they had any part whatsoever in that decision is just foolish, but hey, you do you.

Who knows, though, maybe the IIHF is doing them a favour. Including the Russian teenagers would inevitably lead to incessant whining and protests from others, both on social media and during the games, so perhaps it's best to avoid that whole mess.

It really sucks for the players though, they shouldn't be held responsible for the actions of others.

You do realize that these sanctions against countries are going to affect their citizens, right? That's kind of the point of sanctions. Tighten the belt so that the country doing wrong relents because its economy and in turn its citizens are feeling it and want it to stop?

 

[Namejs]

........

Teenage Russian hockey players didn't decide to invade Ukraine.

Insisting that they had any part whatsoever in that decision is just foolish, but hey, you do you.

Who knows, though, maybe the IIHF is doing them a favour. Including the Russian teenagers would inevitably lead to incessant whining and protests from others, both on social media and during the games, so perhaps it's best to avoid that whole mess.

It really sucks for the players though, they shouldn't be held responsible for the actions of others.

Were Nazis responsible for the Holocaust even though they didn't personally shoot Jews or put them in gas chambers?

 

[Dr Pepper]

Were Nazis responsible for the Holocaust even though they didn't personally shoot Jews or put them in gas chambers?

Wow, what a terrible comparison. Holy hell, dude.

But hey, since you asked:

No, teenagers living in Germany were not responsible for the actions of Adolf Hitler.

(I'd make a caveat about voting age at the time, but for some reason I feel like Hitler wasn't exactly elected democratically).

 

[MeHateHe]

In the last 15 years, a team outside of top 5 won medals exactly once. It is certainly harsh, but it’s the reality

How many teams have won FIFA's World Cup, ever? How many teams are serious contenders? How about FIBA? Rugby? Volleyball? Every serious team sport is dominated by a handful of ultra powerful teams, but that doesn't mean you stop inviting everyone else to play.

 

[kp61c]

You do realize that these sanctions against countries are going to affect their citizens, right? That's kind of the point of sanctions. Tighten the belt so that the country doing wrong relents because its economy and in turn its citizens are feeling it and want it to stop?

Citizens have no rights and can't influence putin's decision-making in any way. It's best to keep Russia away in order to avoid hysterics from nato countries.

 

[Namejs]

Wow, what a terrible comparison. Holy hell, dude.

But hey, since you asked:

No, teenagers living in Germany were not responsible for the actions of Adolf Hitler.

(I'd make a caveat about voting age at the time, but for some reason I feel like Hitler wasn't exactly elected democratically).

That is, ironically, the official state position of the Russian Federation regarding Nazi Waffen-SS units - that the 18-, 19-year-olds *were* collectively responsible for Nazi crimes in Nazi occupied territories.

So if you think Nazi German soldiers were in no way responsible and should in no way be held responsible legally or ethically, your opinion is logically consistent, sure.

If the Russians were asked one by one whether they support the Russian regime - the war crimes, the state sponsored terrorism in Eastern Ukraine, genocide of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars - and they would speak against it - that could actually work, sure.

Otherwise, the basic reality is that 80% of the Russian population do support the actions of the Russian regime. Which is a criminal offense in some countries taking part in the WJC.

So I'm not sure how that would work over the long-term.

 

[bluesfan94]

Citizens have no rights and can't influence putin's decision-making in any way. It's best to keep Russia away in order to avoid hysterics from nato countries.

That's fair. Never once in the history of Russia has an uprising of the people worked to change the powers that be. Like what would that even look like?

 

[kp61c]

That's fair. Never once in the history of Russia has an uprising of the people worked to change the powers that be. Like what would that even look like?

Besides, pitchforks versus millions of putin's armed oprichniks? That would be not a pretty sight.

 

[tmlmatus]

It should be Canada, Czechia, Sweden and Finland play each other twice and then the two top teams play a best of 3 series for gold. Same goes for bronze - 3rd and 4th team battle for it.

FTFY

 

[Silky Johnson]

So... there was an upset?

Right. If they happened often they wouldn't be call UPSETS.

So this is the latest installment of "VID is sad that no one wants to play with Russia".

 

[WarriorofTime]

People view all Russians through the lens of politics, and not as people. It is very unfortunate. Contempt for Putin, who is a Dictator, should not be so carried over to a hatred of all Russian people that only have access to state-sponsored media propaganda. It is quite sad how people don't realize that.

 

[JackSlater]

People view all Russians through the lens of politics, and not as people. It is very unfortunate. Contempt for Putin, who is a Dictator, should not be so carried over to a hatred of all Russian people that only have access to state-sponsored media propaganda. It is quite sad how people don't realize that.

Some do I guess, most people don't seem to though. People wanting Russia punished is far from 1. not seeing Russians as people or 2. hating all Russian people. Makes it easier to cry "poor Russia" if someone makes up that stance though.

 

[Jugitsu]

People view all Russians through the lens of politics, and not as people. It is very unfortunate. Contempt for Putin, who is a Dictator, should not be so carried over to a hatred of all Russian people that only have access to state-sponsored media propaganda. It is quite sad how people don't realize that.

Even the mightiest dictators fall eventually if they lose the people. Maybe if enough Russians start asking questions about why their athletes aren’t allowed to participate in international tournaments or why all the companies are leaving the country or why their neighbouring countries have started to accept less and less visa applications perhaps even someone as stubborn as Putin can see the light. Maybe. I’m not holding my breath while I wait.

To the OP’s suggestion: not in a million years. There has to be an incentive for smaller hockey nations to be able to showcase their talent and get a glimpse of how things could be. These competitions against superior talent is good experience to take home to.

 

[Nate070]

They will be let back into the tourney when Russia has left Ukraine.

And paid billions in damages and after all the war crimes etc are prosecuted

 

[Javaman]

Russia was already on shaky ground what with the state-sponsored doping regime and all.

How about Russia stops cheating and generally being an evil geopolitical actor... and then we can talk about letting them back into international competitions?

 

[kp61c]

And paid billions in damages and after all the war crimes etc are prosecuted

Like Americans always do?

 

[Javaman]

Like Americans always do?

Whataboutism is never a convincing point.

 

[kp61c]

Whataboutism is never a convincing point.

And it is bit dumb to hold Russia to some high standards when your country itself invaded and bombed a lot of countries and killed hundreds of thousands civilians.

 

[Elvs]

........

Teenage Russian hockey players didn't decide to invade Ukraine.

Insisting that they had any part whatsoever in that decision is just foolish, but hey, you do you.

Who knows, though, maybe the IIHF is doing them a favour. Including the Russian teenagers would inevitably lead to incessant whining and protests from others, both on social media and during the games, so perhaps it's best to avoid that whole mess.

It really sucks for the players though, they shouldn't be held responsible for the actions of others.

What sucks more is the Ukraine junior players having to combat in war. But since they are not in the top WHJC division I guess no one cares.

 

[Kalv]

Look at the round robin, other than Latvia beating the Czechs, there was zero upsets

Well, a 4 or 5 team tournament is not gonna solve that, pal

 

[Kalv]

........

Teenage Russian hockey players didn't decide to invade Ukraine.

Insisting that they had any part whatsoever in that decision is just foolish, but hey, you do you.

Who knows, though, maybe the IIHF is doing them a favour. Including the Russian teenagers would inevitably lead to incessant whining and protests from others, both on social media and during the games, so perhaps it's best to avoid that whole mess.

It really sucks for the players though, they shouldn't be held responsible for the actions of others.

Millions of Ukrainian lives are ruined because a corrupt and pathetic regime decides they can just march into another country.
I think a few hockey teams of players will be fine in comparison of millions of Ukrainians (including all of their teams) having their lives destroyed, don't you think?

The rest of the World (democratic one) is not owing any totalitarsm regime anything even if it sucks for the regular folk. Russia can have a two team tournament with Belarus and play 5 times each if they want