Tereshchenko called the IIHF leaders fools after the removal of the Russian national team from the 2023 Ice Hockey World Cup

Three-time ice hockey world champion Alexei Tereshchenko called the leaders of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) fools after the decision to exclude the national teams of Russia and Belarus from the 2023 World Championship.

– There are only fools in the IIHF. Otherwise, alas, I can not say. It is a pity for a generation that may not play at the World Championships. On the other hand, we have the opportunity to calmly prepare for the Olympics. Still, I do not believe that the Russian team may not be allowed to participate in it either.

How much Russia needs an adult World Cup is a debatable question. It is not interesting to look at matches of conditional Great Britain. However, sometimes high-class hockey is shown there. But taking part in such tournaments, we can assess in which direction our sport is moving. Therefore, international competitions are very important. But the tragedy did not happen.

Personally, it will be really annoying for me if our guys are not allowed to participate in the Youth World Cup in the coming years. This will be a serious blow. Still, our future is there, and representatives of the NHL clubs come to watch the hockey players. You have to fight for them to the last. And there, many get the opportunity to speak only once in a lifetime, while in the adult World Cup – every year, – RT Tereshchenko quotes.

The 2023 World Championship was supposed to be held in St. Petersburg, but the IIHF decided to postpone the tournament in Tampere (Finland) and Riga.