Hockey federation head wants Russia, Belarus back ‘as soon as possible’
NY Post
MILAN — International Ice Hockey Federation president Luc Tardif said Thursday he wants “as soon as possible” for Belarus and Russia to return to international competition, having been banned for the last four years as sanction for the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking at a joint press conference with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA chief Marty Walsh at the Milan Winter Olympics, Tardif took a similar line to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who recently echoed the same sentiment.
“First of all, till the beginning, we follow the recommendation of the [International Olympic Committee],” Tardif said. “We try to keep the politics away from our competition, but sometimes that’s not so easy. We’ve got our World Championships so that means every decision we take, that’s for security of the players, including the Russians and [Belarussians]. As you know, the competition that in Europe and the geopolitical situation, we decide every year, so year by year, if they can be with us.
“I want to make sure that everybody understands, we want as soon as possible the Belarus and the Russians back. Because first, it will mean that the world will be a little bit better. But every time when we have to say to Belarus and Russia that it’s a little bit too soon to come back, we take the decision, but we follow the recommendation of the IOC. And for the team sports, so at the moment, they’re not allowed to participate at the Olympics.”
Tardif’s IIHF had already signaled some willingness to allow youth players from Russia and Belarus into competition starting in 2028, determining last month that it could not do so in 2026-27 while keeping the door open to do so in U-18 tournaments the next year. That would be in line with IOC recommendations, which say youth athletes from those countries should be allowed to compete under their flag and anthem.
Bettman said the NHL, “will follow what the international community is doing” as far as allowing Russia to compete at the 2028 World Cup of Hockey.
A taste of October in March. Some international flavor baked into the national pastime, coming on the heels of an entertaining Olympics. Welcome to the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
One of the main differences coach Mike Brown was expected to bring to the Knicks was fewer minutes for starters.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Islanders came back from two-goal deficits three times in a row following the Olympic break. They couldn’t make it a fourth.
PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets like a lot of Carson Benge’s game, especially his ability to hit left-handers.
Jalen Brunson, at the end of his availability with the media, revealed that he suffered a black eye.
As the last-place Rangers continue to consider selling off additional pieces ahead of Friday’s trade deadline, there will be a slew of young players left behind looking to establish full-time roles for the future.
PORT ST. LUCIE — It was mostly quiet, with not many people in the makeshift stands, for Nolan McLean’s latest outing, a minor league game on a back field behind Clover Park.
This is the second in a two-part series examining the Jets’ options at quarterback. We examined veteran options in the first part and now we take a look at what the Jets could do in the NFL draft.
John Harbaugh’s first training camp as the head coach of the Giants will not take place at the team facility or anywhere in the state of New Jersey.
The new guard is talking to the old guard.
Trevor Rogers thought he had been tipping his pitches Tuesday in an exhibition game when newcomer Pete Alonso summoned the infield for a meeting at the mound.
TORONTO — The Knicks’ much-improved defense locked up when it was most needed.
This is always an interesting time on the NFL calendar. There is a lot of draft talk around the NFL Scouting Combine, but then we shift to free agency quickly before returning to the draft.