Report: CHL to make Russians and Belarussians ineligible for 2022 Import Draft

The Canadian Hockey League is planning to make players from Russia and Belarus ineligible for this year’s Import Draft, according to Darren Dreger of TSN.

Dreger went on to report that Russian and Belarussian players who are already on a CHL team’s protected list will not be affected by this decision and will be eligible to play in the league next season.

CHL news: Plan is to make Russians & Belarussians ineligible for the 2022 CHL Import Draft on July 1st. However, this decision won't affect players that are already on a CHL team's protected list.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) April 27, 2022

This decision comes in response to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which is being supported by Belarus.

During the 2022 Olympics in Beijing back in February, the International Olympic Committee urged International Federations to make sanctions against Russia and Belarus due to the invasion of Ukraine.

The International Ice Hockey Federation has since banned Russia and Belarus from tournaments at all levels until further notice. Also, the IIHF announced that the World Hockey Championship that was set to take place in St. Petersburg, Russia in May will be moved to a different location.

Back in March, the CHL cancelled its annual Canada-Russia series and issued a statement condemning Russia’s use of military force in Ukraine.

“The Canadian Hockey League strongly condemns the recent actions by Russia involving military force in Ukraine and encourages a peaceful resolution to the conflict,” the CHL said in the release.

At last year’s Import Draft, 16 players from Russia and 11 players from Belarus were selected by CHL clubs.

The 2022 Import Draft is scheduled for July 1.