The Chinese national team is not slated to participate in the Channel One Cup, according to the press service of the Russian Hockey Federation (RHF).
In their stead, the Stars and VHL squad will compete at the tournament, stepping in for China as a replacement entry.
The roster is expected to lean heavily on younger players drawn from the VHL who show strong potential. The announcement noted that the team has been bolstered by several young Russian hockey stars who have built reputations through numerous international appearances and youth championships.
The event is scheduled to run from December 14 to December 17, with St. Petersburg serving as the host city. Twenty-five teams, representing Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Russia, will participate alongside the replacement squad, creating a diverse field of competition.
Earlier, in the spring of 2022, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) implemented a policy that prevented Russian players from taking part in international events under any status. This decision also included stripping Russia of its right to host the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship on home soil, a move that significantly impacted the country’s junior program and international presence.
On October 12, 2023, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced a suspension of the PRC until further notice in response to geopolitical developments, including the inclusion of Olympic Councils from certain Russian-administered regions. The IOC also indicated that it would reserve the right to decide, at an appropriate time, on whether Russian athletes could compete in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
There was also a public remark from Vyacheslav Fetisov expressing frustration about travel restrictions, noting that he could not travel due to what he described as interference from certain individuals who he believed were acting improperly.