Edmonton bubble set to reopen

Edmonton's hockey "bubble" will be back in the international spotlight next month when the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship tournament opens with three games on Christmas Day before defending champion Canada kicks off its title defense on Dec 26.

In order to maintain the safety of players and officials, and in compliance with Canadian government guidelines related to COVID-19, all 28 games in the 10-nation competition will be played without spectators at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, home of the NHL Oilers and host of last month's Stanley Cup Final.

"This was a tough decision to have to take, but ultimately we did not have a choice," IIHF president Rene Fasel said on the weekend. "The health and safety of players, officials and fans is our top priority.

"We were impressed with the success of the bubble scenario during the Stanley Cup playoffs, and we are confident we can follow the NHL's great example in creating a safe environment for teams to compete."

Forwards Quinton Byfield, drafted second overall by the Los Angeles Kings last month, and Kirby Dach, taken No 3 by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2019, top the list of 46 players invited to Team Canada's monthlong selection camp, which opens on Nov 13.

Conspicuously absent from the list is 19-year-old Alexis Lafreniere, chosen by the New York Rangers with this year's No 1 pick, but the 6-foot-1, 190-pound (1.85-meter, 86-kilogram) left winger, MVP of last year's tournament, could still be added to the roster.

Lafreniere is expected to immediately step into the Rangers lineup if the NHL season opens on Jan 1, so his availability for Team Canada is up in the air.

"We've had discussions with the Rangers; (general manager) Jeff Gorton and I had a good chat. It gave him the opportunity to understand our timetable of what might be coming up with respect to this camp, and well beyond that," said Hockey Canada CEO Tom Renney.

"Jeff was certainly open-minded to the idea, but hoping that his player would have the opportunity to begin skating with the Rangers first. I've indicated to him that I would circle back within about 10 days to see how things are sitting."

There are two entry points for Lafreniere to join Team Canada, in accordance with enhanced measures around testing and team protocols regarding the coronavirus.

"The first entry point to the bubble is Nov 16 when the selection camp opens, and the second entry would be on Dec 13," Renney said. "The only player that we are missing is Lafreniere, so if he was to be loaned to us later, he would still be able to enter the bubble with the rest of the international teams and with our team in Edmonton.

"He would quarantine for four days and come out of that on Dec 18 in preparation for our two exhibition games (against Sweden and Russia). Right now, we're only talking about the potential of adding one player, and that would be on Dec 13 if he doesn't join us on Nov 18."

Team Canada's selection camp will include practices and three intrasquad games, as well as six games against a team of university all-stars.

"As we continue to navigate through the pandemic, Hockey Canada has taken important steps to maintain the health and safety of our national junior team athletes and staff, as well as the community at large, during selection camp and throughout the World Junior Championship," added Renney.

"As much as we would enjoy allowing fans into the building to support the tournament, we need to be responsible as we look to keep all parties safe."

Team Canada, which has won three of the past six junior worlds and 18 overall, is in Group A with Finland, Switzerland, Slovakia and Germany. Group B includes Russia, the United States, Sweden, Czech Republic and Austria.