NHL responds to IIHF ban of Israeli National Team

The NHL has “significant concerns” with the IIHF barring the Israeli National Team from competing in its upcoming world championship events "over security concerns." The league in a statement said, “We expressed those concerns to the IIHF and have attempted to get a better understanding of both the scope and underlying rationale for the decision that was made.” The IIHF in a statement said the team would be restricted from IIHF Championships “until the safety and well-being of all participants (including Israeli participants) can be assured.” The NHL said, “We urge the IIHF to take whatever steps necessary to address its concerns as expeditiously as possible so that the Israeli National Teams are not unfairly excluded from future events for which they are eligible and qualified” (THE ATHLETIC, 1/13). The N.Y. POST goes with: “NHL needed to make stance on IIHF decision to ban Israel over safety concerns” (N.Y. POST, 1/13).