Team Canada's opening victory at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship was quickly overshadowed by a post-game controversy. After defeating Czechia 7-5 in Minneapolis on Friday, December 28, 2025, the Canadian squad skated off the ice without participating in the traditional handshake line, drawing immediate scrutiny from the international hockey community.
Breaking with International Tradition
The oversight placed Canada at odds with long-standing international hockey protocol. While post-game handshakes in the NHL and Canadian junior leagues are typically reserved for playoff or elimination series, the expectation at IIHF events is different. It is customary for teams to exchange handshakes following the national anthem ceremonies, regardless of the game's stakes or result. This practice is not merely tradition but is explicitly codified in the IIHF's event regulations.
The rule states clearly: "At the conclusion (of national anthem and flag raising), all players of both teams will shake hands and leave the ice." Canada's departure before this ritual was a clear breach of these official guidelines.
Hockey Canada's Swift Apology
Facing backlash, Hockey Canada moved quickly to address the error. The organization issued a formal statement the day after the incident, taking full responsibility for the team's actions.
"Following last night’s game, Canada’s National Junior Team skated off the ice before shaking hands with Czechia," the apology 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."
The statement left little room for interpretation, confirming that Canada was, unequivocally, in the wrong for skipping the handshake.
Social Media Erupts in Debate
The incident and subsequent apology ignited a fierce debate on social media platforms. Former NHL defenceman and Canadian world junior alumnus Chris Pronger questioned the practice on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"Can someone please tell me when they started shaking hands after all the games?" Pronger wrote. "Not sure I have ever done that in any international competition I have been part of outside of the win-or-go-home games."
However, Pronger's memory was promptly challenged. A user pointed out that he was a member of Canada's 2002 Olympic team that shook hands with Sweden after a preliminary-round loss, demonstrating the practice has been standard for decades.
Public opinion was sharply divided. Some defended the Canadian players, with one user commenting, "Silly to shake hands unless it’s an elimination game anyway, this isn’t the Peewee tourney." Another expressed frustration, asking, "Do we SERIOUSLY have to apologize for everything?"
Others were critical of the perceived breach of sportsmanship. One critic labeled the move as "arrogant," calling it "embarrassing and disappointing." The debate highlighted a cultural clash between North American professional hockey norms and the established etiquette of international amateur competition.
The controversy serves as a reminder that at global tournaments like the World Junior Championship, on-ice performance is only part of the story. Adherence to the sport's protocols and traditions off the ice is equally scrutinized, with Hockey Canada's swift apology underscoring the importance of respecting those international customs.
