The IIHF announced this morning that they have suspended five players from the Swedish National Junior Team, one of which is Rangers Prospect and Swedish team captain Lias Andersson.
The reason for his suspension is as follows (excerpt taken from here):
“By taking off the silver medals during the closing ceremony of the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey World Junior Championship immediately after the medals had been placed around their necks, the players in question violated Championship Regulations Article 5.5.8 of the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey World Junior Championship, according to which the silver medals are placed by IIHF representatives around the necks of the players and team officials and have to be worn around the neck in respectful manner for the duration of the closing ceremony and the following post-game mixed zone and media conference procedures.”
Swedish team Captain Lias Andersson is being punished for his actions that occurred on January 5th during the closing ceremony of the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship.
After Sweden finished second overall in the tournament, Lias Andersson took the silver medal off his neck, and threw it into the crowd.
This is a punch in the gut to the Swedish team as not only do they lose their leader and captain in Lias Andersson, but also lose four other players to suspensions.
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