The Canadian Press
The women's world hockey championship in Nova Scotia has been cancelled a second time because of COVID-19. The championship, scheduled for May 6-16 in Halifax and Truro, N.S., was called off Wednesday, a day before participating countries were to arrive to begin their quarantines. Nova Scotia imposed travel restrictions Tuesday barring travellers from outside the province, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador from entering unless travel is essential or they're permanent residents of Nova Scotia. The International Ice Hockey Federation and Hockey Canada were told by the Nova Scotia government Wednesday morning the 10-country tournament could not go ahead because of safety risks associated with the pandemic. “This is very disappointing news to receive with just a few weeks until the tournament was to begin,” IIHF president Rene Fasel said in a statement. “We strongly believe that we had the adequate safety measures in place to protect players, officials, spectators, and all residents in Halifax and Truro, based on the IIHF and Hockey Canada’s experiences from hosting the IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton.” The Nova Scotia government appeared to do an about-face on hosting the tournament as chief medical officer Dr. Robert Strang indicated Tuesday he felt it was safe to do so. "That tournament in my opinion, does not present a risk of bringing COVID and transmitting it into Nova Scotia with all the very strict protocols they have even before they leave their home countries," Strang said then. "They have a very strict protocols. When they come here, they will be here in a bubble that they will have no interactions with Nova Scotians. "They have very clear protocols about individuals and teams and even the whole tournament. Once they're out of their quarantine, they will still be not interacting with Nova Scotians." Hockey Canada still wants to host the tournament and will work with the IIHF to hold it this summer. “In the end, we must accept the decision of the government," Fasel said. "This does not mean that we will not have a women’s world championship in 2021. "We owe it to every single player that was looking forward to getting back on the ice after such a difficult year that we do everything possible to ensure this tournament can be moved to new dates and played this year.” Eight participating countries boarding IIHF charters Wednesday had to abort those plans. The reigning world and Olympic champion United States was arriving via ground transportation. Canadian Lisa Haley, who coaches the Hungarian women's team, said players were at their Budapest rink packing up gear to take to the airport when they were told to stand down. The Canadian women's team has been in Halifax for the last week for a 47-player selection camp at Scotiabank Centre. U.S. women head coach Bob Corkum stepped down, telling The Associated Press on Saturday he was uncomfortable with tournament protocols without elaborating. "A tremendous amount of work has gone in to hosting a safe and successful world championship, and despite not being able to host the event in Nova Scotia, Hockey Canada remains committed to hosting the women’s world championship this year," Hockey Canada president Tom Renney said Wednesday in a statement. "While we are disappointed with the cancellation, we understand the decision was made with the health and safety of all participants and the community at large as the top priority. "We support the decision that has been made." The 2020 women's championship in Nova Scotia was cancelled because of the global pandemic. The 2021 tournament was scheduled for April 7-17, but then pushed back in hopes the pandemic situation would improve. The 2020 men's under-20 world championship was held Dec. 25 to Jan. 5 in Edmonton. The 10-country men's under-18 championship opens Monday in Frisco, Texas. The men's world championship is scheduled to open in less than a month in Riga, Latvia. January's women's under-18 hockey championship in Sweden was cancelled. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2021. Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press
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