This year's WJHC taking place in Alberta has been cancelled. The announcement was made by the IIHF on Wednesday, Dec 29. (IIHF)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

WJHC shut down

World Junior Hockey Championship cancelled

Dec 29, 2021 | 1:31 PM

EDMONTON — Amid rising COVID-19 cases among players and cancelled/forfeited games, the ongoing World Junior Hockey Championship in Edmonton and Red Deer, AB is cancelled.

The announcement from the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) was made on Wednesday, Dec 29., during the preliminary round portion of the event.

“Following a recommendation by the tournament COVID-19 Medical Group and the IIHF Medical Committee, the IIHF Council has decided that, due to the ongoing spread of COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship will be cancelled to ensure the health and safety of all participants,” a IIHF statement read.

The IIHF deemed the integrity of the event had been compromised.

The fast-spreading Omicron variant caused the IIHF to readjust its COVID protocols in an effort to stay ahead of potential spread of the virus, including daily testing and team quarantine requirements when positive cases were confirmed, the statement noted.

Shorthanded

Clippers fall short hosting Bulldogs

36m ago

off the schedule

BC Ferries preemptively cancels early Saturday sailings

7h ago

firm handshake

B.C. NDP government, Greens reach 'shared priorities' agreement

10h ago

Canada was scheduled to play Germany at 4 p.m. pacific time on Wednesday in preliminary round action.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW