IIHF 2021 Women’s World Championship Canceled: Dates, Teams, Why, What’s Next

On Tuesday night, 10 countries set to compete in the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship and slept excitedly for the upcoming tournament. Eventually, they all headed to Canada (Hockey Canada’s women’s team was already there for the selection camp) to prepare and follow the COVID protocol.

On Wednesday morning, they woke up thinking that everything was on schedule. But at 7:30 am MT, there was a call from Hockey Canada that things were not right.

“It’s definitely a tough day for our group today,” National Women’s Teams Director Gina Kingsbury said with reporters on a zoom call. “We have worked hard to prepare for this World Championship and our athletes and staff have a tremendous amount of patience and commitment over the past year. You know that we are definitely disappointed. We know that there are things that are out of our control, and this is definitely something that we need to take as a perspective. But, again, looking ahead to what we are going to do and trying to move forward to adapt and make sure.

So what happened in such a small window? Here is everything to know about the cancellation.

When was the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship to be held?

The 2021 tournament was originally scheduled to take place on 7–17 April, but it was started from 6 May.

Where was the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship to be played?

Following the cancellation of the 2020 tournament, the host province, Nova Scotia, was awarded the 2021 edition. Halifax (Scotiabank Center) and True (Chariot Eastlink Community Center) were set to host more than 250 athletes for 10 days.

Which countries competed in the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship?

Ten teams were scheduled to play, including defending champion Team USA, which won the gold medal in 2019. The Americans captured gold medals in five straight tournaments (2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019). The tournament is not held during an Olympic year.

Who canceled the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship?

According to Hockey Canada, the call to cancel the tournament came from the government of Nova Scotia.

Scott Smith, President of Hockey Canada and Chief Operating Officer Scott Smith, said in the letter that we received from the province, he noted an increase in cases and a spike in cases, including a plot reference to the amount announced later today. . said. “We got information through the night. . . Strengthened yesterday’s operations and the arrival of teams. And sadly, we were advised about 7:35 MT this morning that this decision was made at the helm of the government. “

This was a shocking move just 24 hours ago, with the Chief Medical Officer of the health department of the province, Dr. Robert Strang said that everything was despite an added ban that could travel to the province by 22 April.

“In that tournament, in my opinion, there is no risk of bringing COVID or sending it to Nova Scotia and transferring it.” During a press conference on Tuesday. “They have a very strict protocol and if they come here, they will be in a bubble with no interaction with the Nova Scotchians. Once they are out of their quarantine, they are still with the Nova Scotchians Will not talk. “

Competitive teams were scheduled to undergo quarantine upon arrival and subject to multiple COVID tests.

With the cancellation, Optics, as a well-respected reporter on the call, was “rubbish”, considering many boys and men’s tournaments. Edmonton, Alta., Was the site of the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship. Texas is set to host the U18 tournament next week and Latvia will host the men’s world championship in May.

“At the end of the day, we have to make sure that sentiment does not drive a plan, very honestly, nor optics, but that being said, we are very sensitive to what that might look like. But we are more sensitive to your public health, this competitor we cannot see, ”said Tom Rainey, CEO of Hockey Canada.

“At five o’clock this morning, it was a go. At 7:30 (MT) it was not. Some of these are far ahead of our control. Everything we do is in front of us, and we want to make sure through a Women’s World Championship in Canada at one point in the near future. And beyond that, that is to say. But I appreciate your comment on optics, and it looks like crap. “

What’s next for the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship?

Four members of Hockey Canada on the call – Rainey, Smith, Kingsbury and Dean McIntosh (Vice President, Events and Properties) – all emphasized the importance and desire for the Women’s World Championship in 2021. This year’s tournament has a major meaning as the preparation of the teams for the 2022 Olympics.

“Finally, we should accept the government’s decision. This does not mean that we will not have a Women’s World Championship in 2021. “We owe it to every single player who was eager to get back on the ice after such a difficult year that we do everything possible to ensure this tournament is played and played this year.”

Smith recalled that during the 2021 World Juniors Championships in December and January, Hockey Canada and IIHF had alternate dates of August 20–30. Those dates were “disregarded because of promising discussions we had with our Nova Scotia Health Authority.”

The summer is now being revised as the event can be hosted at other locations in Canada if Halifax is not an option.

Twitter response to the cancellation of the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship