Junior Champ’s

As successful as the World Junior Championship was, a team or (some) players can reflect “ton’s” which does not sit well with the IIHF.

In this case the Russian Junior team came from behind to defeat Canada in what many say is one of the best come-backs of all time.
Players must understand that the actions they display, reflects on the overall professionalism of the team and the govening body of hockey in any Country.

In this case, it’s the team from Russia that won Gold, but clearly got a Bronze when they tried to leave for home. Russia’s Orthodox Christmas is Friday (January 8th) and this won’t sit well with anyone in the homeland.

I hear that (around) 30 members of the Russian hockey contingent were asked to get off a Delta Flight for being unruly after boarding the plane for takeoff.

The group arrived at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport for a 6:10 a.m. flight to Atlanta, but was turned back by the flight crew on the plane.

“To ensure the safe operation of the flight, the crew of Flight 1266 denied boarding to 30 passengers who were travelling together and displaying unruly behaviour,” Delta spokeswoman Susan Chana Elliott said.

“The passengers are being rebooked on a future flight.” Coach Valeri Bragin was in the lobby of the hotel lobby about 1:30 p.m. and signed an autograph for a fan. “I don’t know what happened,” he said when asked about the scene at the airport.

He would not say whether players had been drinking.

The bus driver (Curtis Hall) told the Buffalo News that “They were definitely intoxicated, that’s for sure” and continued. “They were so drunk they had to carry a couple of the guys onto the bus.”

Hall described Russian players honking the bus horn on way to the airport about 3 a.m. at the Adam’s Mark hotel.

Tournament officials had no immediate comment, which is obvious as they won’t make any statement until they clearly know all the facts.

So if you’re a player and/or team – remember your actions are worth a thousand words. This clearly does not tarnish the Tournament, but rather just reflects on one team and those in charge. Too Bad!!