The IIHF president wants Russia and Belarus back in international competition, mainly because it would mean the war has ended if they do return. What does the NHL think about Russia's participation in the World Cup of Hockey?
MILAN, Italy - Team Russia is not at the Olympics, which has caused at least one publication to suggest that whoever wins gold in men's hockey in Milan should have an asterisk etched into their medal.
That might be a stretch, considering Russia's lack of depth at the center and defense.
However, IIHF president Luc Tardif said he hopes Russia (and Belarus), which have not been a part of the international hockey scene since 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine, will be invited back to the 2030 Olympics, mostly because it will mean the war has ended by that point.
"We want as soon as possible Belarus and Russia back," Tardif said at a news conference on Thursday. "Because first it will mean that the world will be a little bit better."
Gary Bettman, Luc Tardif and Marty Walsh spoke on Thursday in Milan, Italy. (Michael Traikos)Between now and the 2030 Olympics is the World Cup of Hockey, which is scheduled for February 2028 and will include eight countries. Unlike the Olympics, the World Cup is not an IIHF-sanctioned event. But when asked whether that opens the door to Russia's inclusion, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said it would depend on the country's standing within the IIHF and IOC.
"We will follow what the international community is doing in terms of athletics," said Bettman. "I don't see the need to go in weigh in separately. Frankly, in terms of our game and our players — wherever they are from — if we can steer clear of geopolitical issues, not just this one but a whole host of other ones, I think that's better for our game and it's better for our fans."
In 2022, the Russian Olympic Committee lost in the gold medal game and took home silver. In 2018, as the Olympic Athletes from Russia, they won gold by beating Germany 4-3 in overtime. Kirill Kaprizov had nine points in six games at the 2018 Winter Games while he was still a KHL player.
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