Canadian World Junior team apologizes for not shaking hands with Czechia

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. – Hockey Canada has issued a statement after receiving backlash for not shaking hands with Czechia after the two dueled it out on the opening night of the 2026 World Junior Championship on Friday night.

“Following last night’s game, Canada’s National Junior Team skated off the ice before shaking hands with Czechia,” the statement read. “Hockey Canada takes full responsibility for this oversight and we have apologized to the team, Czech Ice Hockey Association and IIHF for our mistake.”

While NHL teams don’t shake hands after games, it is customary for both teams to do so in international competition following player of the game and post-game anthem presentations.

Canada went on to win the game 7-5 in the most action-packed game of the day. Both teams held various leads throughout the contest.

“I didn’t know. But I know now,” coach Dale Hunter told TSN’s Mark Masters. “So there’ll be a handshake (tonight against Latvia), and I’ll say sorry to the Czechs.”

The game itself got pretty heated, with both teams taking three minor penalties, on top of a handful of post-whistle scrums. Porter Martone was even given an unsportsmanlike conduct after scoring an empty-netter with a minute to go. After celebrating, he skated by the Czech bench and patted the rear end of Adam Novotny, right in front of an official.

Canada will look to go 2-0 when they take on Latvia at 4:30 PM ET at the 3M Arena in Minnesota. Latvia won the previous meeting between the two teams, and will be rested after not playing on Dec. 26.

Czechia, meanwhile, is back in action at 8:30 PM ET against Denmark, which lost 6-3 on opening day.

The other two games on the docket include Germany vs. Slovakia at 2:00 PM ET and USA vs. Switzerland at 6:00 PM ET. Both games will be held at the Grand Casino Arena, home to the Minnesota Wild.