Roman Rotenberg, the First Vice President of the Russian Hockey Federation (RHF) and head coach of SKA, responded to remarks from Luc Tardif, the president of the International Hockey Federation (IIHF). He noted that there are currently no friendly ties between the two bodies, and that any reconciliation would depend on Russia meeting the Federation’s rules. The comments were cited by RB Sport.
Rotenberg explained that Russia would not be swayed by provocations. He emphasized that while a cordial relationship with the IIHF is desirable, comments from international federation leaders are part of their role. He also stressed that there is a willingness to engage in dialogue with all parties. He added that, while there may be no official statements to this effect, there remains a positive connection with the broader hockey community, and a readiness to communicate openly when opportunities arise.
In the spring of 2022, the IIHF chose to bar Russian players from competing in international tournaments, even under neutral status, and Russian hosts were denied the opportunity to stage the youth world championship in 2023. These measures reflected ongoing sanctions and governance decisions within the international hockey framework.
At the start of July 2022, the IIHF Disciplinary Committee rejected RHF’s request to participate in international competitions, a decision that affected Russia’s participation in global events and prompted discussions about the path forward for the federation and its programs.
A former IIHF president outlined the conditions necessary for Russia’s return to international tournaments, signaling that formal criteria and governance standards would need to be met before any reinstatement could be considered. This sentiment framed ongoing debates about Russia’s status in international hockey and the prospects for future collaboration within the sport’s global community.