Players react to World Championship cancellation on social media
On Wednesday afternoon, the IIHF cancelled the 2021 World Championship, slatted to begin in two and a half weeks, due to rising COVID cases in Nova Scotia. No back up plans were announced beyond the IIHF and Hockey Canada “pledged to work towards finding new dates for the tournament, with the goal to host the event in the summer of 2021.”
As the news settled in, players took to social media to express their frustration, sadness, let fans know what the protocols they were following, and more. We’ve rounded up some of their posts.
Kendall Coyne Schofield (USA) made a statement talking about the lack of backup plans and that is has been “739 days” since the last World Championship, which took place in 2019.
We Deserve To Compete In The World Championships... pic.twitter.com/AnNfDSZ428
— Kendall Coyne Schofield (@KendallCoyne) April 22, 2021
Jill Saulnier (Canada) posted a long caption on Instagram detailing the protocols the 47 Canadian players who were already skating in Nova Scotia were following.
Blayre Turnbull (Canada) did similarly.
I am completely disappointed in the province of Nova Scotia’s decision to cancel the 2021 WWC.
— Blayre Turnbull (@katbt617) April 22, 2021
The health and safety of the people in Nova Scotia has always been our number one priority. To ensure this, Hockey Canada, our medical staff, and the IIHF put these protocols in place: pic.twitter.com/NzrpnIbEV1
Nana Fujimoto (Japan) highlighted how soon her team was set to leave for Canada and also what the lack of a tournament means for a player, like her, who might not have many playing days left.
I am so sad. The protocols, the time & the energy put into having our first World Championship in over 2 years.. completely kiboshed (the day before team arrivals) with zero discussion. We are such a resilient group and we’ve shown it over & over again but I’m beyond frustrated. https://t.co/lO7cFNkmWr
— Sarah Nurse (@nursey16) April 22, 2021
And there wasn’t a Plan B because....? Every team is already in a bubble and following strict protocol. This is extremely disappointing and a major let down for every single player and staff who has worked so hard to get to this point. But, women’s hockey will be back✌🏼 https://t.co/U1ilx8Zyf6
— Alex (Rigsby) Cavallini (@aRigs33) April 21, 2021
No chance this gets cancelled if it were the Men's Worlds.... https://t.co/ior0yzwCpr
— Klara Peslarova (@klarapeslarova) April 21, 2021
This is so sad 😭💔 again https://t.co/ajrhsgSik6
— Ronja Savolainen (@Ronjasavolaine1) April 21, 2021
Absolutely devastated and disappointed https://t.co/vWswR032i2
— Megan Bozek (@meganebozek) April 21, 2021
No words right now. Devastated https://t.co/KHSKurty9E
— Cayla Barnes (@Cayla_barnes27) April 21, 2021
Absolutely devastating 😭
— Amanda Kessel (@AmandaKessel28) April 21, 2021
HOW? https://t.co/T3jJpMST3W
Absolutely heartbreaking 💔 https://t.co/qKif5ZDOXC
— Hayley Scamurra (@HScamurra) April 21, 2021
Words cannot describe our sadness and disappointment over the cancellation. Behind the scenes it amounts to 2 years worth of training for these exact moments...all to be taken away at the last second https://t.co/CXJNAu12PK
— Dani Cameranesi (@DaniCam9) April 21, 2021
Former players also chimed in.
What’s interesting is that world juniors still happened in Canada with high covid rates. Interesting and disappointing. https://t.co/1hSJhKxoo2
— Jocelyne and Monique Lamoureux (@LamoureuxTwins) April 21, 2021
Absolutely devastated and gutted for the players, staff & teams. What they have all put in and sacrificed in preparation for this tournament cannot be understated. So disappointing. I truly hope that this tournament can successfully take place at some point in 2021. #WomensWorlds https://t.co/7MYpoxwolp
— Meghan Duggan (@mduggan10) April 21, 2021
Gutted. Absolutely heartbroken for all these women who worked their tails off to compete at this event.
— Tessa Bonhomme (@Tessab25) April 21, 2021
Would be CERY disappointing if IIHF can’t reschedule for a later date or new location. Let’s hope they step up. https://t.co/CP9rNPPcri
So sad for these athletes. All of their hard work, dedication & sacrifice ... and they don’t even get the chance to compete 😢💔 https://t.co/r7DWgGxxqc
— AJ Mleczko Griswold (@AJMleczko) April 21, 2021
This is extremely sad. I’m devastated for all the players who were preparing so hard to be there. https://t.co/hlszrt0LTq
— Jayna Hefford (@J16H) April 21, 2021
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2021 World Championships cancelled
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