Rogers Place is set to play host to all the games at the World Junior Championship ©Getty Images

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has announced the dates of this year’s rescheduled World Junior Championship in Canada.

The tournament got underway on December 26 last year only to be called off four days later after several teams were hit by positive COVID-19 cases.

Edmonton is now due to play host from August 9 to 20 with the Rogers Place expected to stage all the games.

Results from the event in December have been erased, meaning the competition will start again.

Russia had picked up one win and two defeats in the preliminary round but they will not compete in the re-scheduled edition after the IIHF banned the nation from events in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

Latvia have replaced Russia and put in Group B alongside hosts Canada, Finland, Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Defending champions the United States, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland and Austria have been drawn in Group A.

The IIHF has confirmed that there will be no relegation from the World Junior Championship following the exclusion of Russia.

Russia, who finished fourth at the 2021 World Junior Championship, will not compete at this year's decision of the tournament after being banned by the IIHF over the country's invasion of Ukraine ©Getty Images
Russia, who finished fourth at the 2021 World Junior Championship, will not compete at this year's decision of the tournament after being banned by the IIHF over the country's invasion of Ukraine ©Getty Images

Russia has also been stripped of the hosting rights for next year’s IIHF World Junior Championship in response to the Ukraine war.

The IIHF Council said it had "initiated discussions" to find a new host for the event, planned to take place from December 26 in 2022 to January 5 2023.

"Taking into consideration the ongoing situation and the far-reaching implications of the war in Ukraine, the IIHF Council considers it difficult to hold the 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Russia," a statement from the IIHF read.

"While all necessary analyses are currently underway, the IIHF Council will take a final decision regarding the 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Russia at its next scheduled Council meeting."

The Russian Ice Hockey Federation (RIHF) has launched an appeal against the decision, claiming the IIHF’s measures are "discriminatory".

The RIHF confirmed on March 17 that it had submitted a protest to the IIHF’s Disciplinary Committee.

"The actions of the RIHF are in accordance with the belief that the IIHF's restrictive measures against Russian athletes are discriminatory," a statement from the RIHF read.

"Banning players from international competition based on nationality fuels intolerance in the media and could lead to divisions within the ice hockey community, which has always been known for its unity."