Russia has been suspended by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) since the country's full-scale invasion of Ukraine almost three years ago and is not participating in the Four Nations tournament in North America. The Russians will likely not have a team in the Olympic Games tournament in Milan in about a year either.
Tre Kronor legend Henrik Zetterberg, who during his playing career formed a duo with Russian Pavel Datsyuk in Detroit, sympathizes with athletes who miss championships due to the global situation.
"Extremely sad"
I feel sorry for the players and athletes who don't get to participate. But it's a decision made over our heads. If you go into it, it's extremely sad what's happening around the world. It's part of it, unfortunately. I feel sorry for Russian players who have the right intentions and don't get to participate, he says.
The Russian Ice Hockey Federation has stated that it will appeal IIHF's suspension, which was extended in early February. Belarus, which has assisted Russia in the war, is also still suspended.
Nicklas Lidström, another Tre Kronor legend and former Detroit player, thinks the suspension is justified.
I think they should be suspended. This war that's going on must stop before they can participate, he says.
IOC presidential election may have an impact
In some sports, Russians and Belarusians have been welcomed back to international competition despite the war. For example, athletes in certain individual sports were allowed to compete under a neutral flag at the Olympic Games in Paris last summer.
In November, the website Insidethegames reported that the election of a new IOC president in March may lead to further openings for Russian participation in more sports. The IOC governs the Olympic Games, although it usually follows individual international sports federations' decisions.
We'll see if things change for the better, said Shamil Tarpishchev, chairman of Russia's tennis federation and IOC member, according to Russian news agency Tass.
