Former coach of Russia's national team says World Juniors squad 'should be punished in a terrible way'
Former player and head coach of Team Russia wants a stiff punishment for that country's World Juniors team after they were kicked off a flight before it left Calgary on New Year's Eve. Vladimir Krikunov, who is currently coaching the KHL's Dinamo Riga after Sergei Zubov stepped down to coach Russia's World Juniors team, didn't hold back in his assessment of the situation.
"Young, green, clueless," said Krikunov. "They do not think with their heads that they represent the whole country. This is a matter of education. Just because they play hockey doesn't mean they are the best people in the world. There are many other worthy professions."
"I am sure that the club will apply tough sanctions against them. Probably, they will talk to them and somehow punish them. When young people are caught for the first time, they should be punished in a terrible way, so that they are afraid to repeat something like that later," Krikunov continued.
The Russian World Juniors team was removed from the flight in Calgary by police following reports of drinking, unruly behaviour, refusing to wear masks and smoking in the airport and on the plane. The team is now back home after boarding a different flight on New Year's Day.
The International Ice Hockey Federation has released a statement saying it is investigating the incident. Zubov has denied there was smoking on the plane and has attempted to downplay the incident in Russian media.
Following a lengthy playing career, Krikunov has been involved with several KHL teams at various levels. He won bronze as a coach with the Russian National Team at the World Championship and also coached Russia at the Olympics in 2006.
Source: Sport24.ru
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APRIL 26, 2026
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| 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 | |
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| 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 | |
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COMPLETE STANDINGS | ||||||