Gretzky says his stance on Russia is not about punishing their players
During Saturday night's broadcast of the 2022 Stadium Series, Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky said that Russia should not be allowed to participate at the rescheduled World Junior tournament in August.
In an appearance on 'The Fan Morning Show' on Monday, Gretzky expanded on his comments, saying that his stance on the issue is not about punishing Russian players.
Reports out of Finland have stated that Russia, along with Belarus, have been suspended by the IIHF and will not participate at the 2022 World Championship in May. Russia is also expected to be stripped of hosting duties for the 2023 World Juniors and 2023 World Championship.
The IIHF council is meeting this afternoon and will likely announce their discipline on Russia and Belarus.
"It's not about punishing Russian kids, what about Ukrainian kids that are being killed? ... We shouldn't compete against [Russia] right now while they're at war against an innocent country."@WayneGretzky w/ @JDBunkis, @BlakeMurphyODC & @jccuthbert.
🍎 https://t.co/a2eocc3khm pic.twitter.com/XUCzmqyOgF— Sportsnet 590 The FAN (@FAN590) February 28, 2022
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APRIL 27, 2026
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Sidney Crosby | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Rasmus Ristolainen | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Alex Bump | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Connor Dewar | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Pavel Dorofeyev | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Kristopher Letang | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Travis Sanheim | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Elmer Soderblom | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Ivan Barbashev | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Noah Cates | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jack Eichel | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Travis Konecny | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Blake Lizotte | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Anthony Mantha | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Ryan Shea | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Parker Wotherspoon | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Noel Acciari | - | - | - | |
| Rasmus Andersson | - | - | - | |
| Emil Andrae | - | - | - | |
| Denver Barkey | - | - | - | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||
| 2025-2026 NHL STANDINGS | ||||||
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Sabres | 82 | 50 | 23 | 9 | 109 | |
| Lightning | 82 | 50 | 26 | 6 | 106 | |
| Canadiens | 82 | 48 | 24 | 10 | 106 | |
| Bruins | 82 | 45 | 27 | 10 | 100 | |
| Senators | 82 | 44 | 27 | 11 | 99 | |
| Red Wings | 82 | 41 | 31 | 10 | 92 | |
| Panthers | 82 | 40 | 38 | 4 | 84 | |
| Maple Leafs | 82 | 32 | 36 | 14 | 78 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Hurricanes | 82 | 53 | 22 | 7 | 113 | |
| Penguins | 82 | 41 | 25 | 16 | 98 | |
| Flyers | 82 | 43 | 27 | 12 | 98 | |
| Capitals | 82 | 43 | 30 | 9 | 95 | |
| Blue Jackets | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 92 | |
| Islanders | 82 | 43 | 34 | 5 | 91 | |
| Devils | 82 | 42 | 37 | 3 | 87 | |
| Rangers | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Avalanche | 82 | 55 | 16 | 11 | 121 | |
| Stars | 82 | 50 | 20 | 12 | 112 | |
| Wild | 82 | 46 | 24 | 12 | 104 | |
| Mammoth | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Blues | 82 | 37 | 33 | 12 | 86 | |
| Predators | 82 | 38 | 34 | 10 | 86 | |
| Jets | 82 | 35 | 35 | 12 | 82 | |
| Blackhawks | 82 | 29 | 39 | 14 | 72 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Golden Knights | 82 | 39 | 26 | 17 | 95 | |
| Oilers | 82 | 41 | 30 | 11 | 93 | |
| Ducks | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Kings | 82 | 35 | 27 | 20 | 90 | |
| Sharks | 82 | 39 | 35 | 8 | 86 | |
| Kraken | 82 | 34 | 37 | 11 | 79 | |
| Flames | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| Canucks | 82 | 25 | 49 | 8 | 58 | |
COMPLETE STANDINGS | ||||||