Canada’s team began preparations Tuesday for the 2.0 edition of the 2022 world junior men’s hockey championship in Edmonton.
The host country starts the Aug. 9 to 20 championship on Aug. 10 against Latvia at Rogers Place.
The 10-country tournament will be minus Russia barred from participating by the International Ice Hockey Federation because of that country’s invasion of Ukraine.
The initial 2022 championship in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alta., was called off Dec. 29 after just four days because of rising COVID-19 cases among players and officials, which forced game forfeitures.
Hockey Canada hosts this world juniors under the shadow of federal government scrutiny and a wave of public criticism for its handling of alleged sexual assaults by members of previous junior men’s teams in 2018 and 2003.
Sheldon Kennedy, a former NHL player and victims rights advocate, is among those calling for the resignation of Hockey Canada president Scott Smith and the board of directors.
Enhanced character screening for all high-performance players was among a slate of remedies Hockey Canada announced in an action plan last month.
“We have a big weight on our shoulders for sure,” said forward Mason McTavish, who was named Canada’s captain Tuesday when camp opened in Calgary.
“We have the opportunity to, not obviously clear the name, but maybe help improve and bring back … it’s Canada and the world juniors is such an awesome event for Canadians especially. We have a great opportunity to help improve and take another step toward getting back to where we were.”
The 25 players named to the junior roster Monday participated in a code of conduct seminar that night delivered by Hockey Canada director of sport safety Natasha Johnston. Another session on sexual violence was scheduled for Tuesday.
“It’s obviously really serious stuff,” forward Kent Johnson said. “You’re playing for the nation and all the kids at home watching. I think it’s still an honour to represent your country.”
The IIHF’s men’s under-20 event is considered a showcase of the planet’s top male under-19 hockey talent.
The IIHF has allowed players born in 2002 who have turned 20, to remain eligible to participate in the summer redo.
Cameron returns as Canada’s head coach in a different scenario without a selection camp and a major championship to be played midsummer after a short camp.
“A little bit weird to be honest with you,” Cameron said at the Tsuut’ina Nation’s 7 Chiefs…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at "ice hockey" – Google News…