It’s beginning to look a lot like WJC season

Today the Russian Ice Hockey Federation announced their long list for their World Junior Championship camp which is set to open on November 29 in Novogorsk.

🏒 Штаб сборной определил расширенный состав команды для участия в сборе перед молодёжным чемпионатом мира.

Уже 29 ноября команда соберётся в Новогорске, где после соблюдения всех карантинных мер приступит к тренировкам: https://t.co/VOYzOLyXNo#снамироссия pic.twitter.com/UXAIHw0Fbj

— Хоккей России (@russiahockey) November 20, 2020

I’ll get you the English tweet when they post it, but see if you can find the Leafs prospects on the list.

Here we go, the English to help you out with spot the prospect:

Team Russia U20 #WorldJuniors camp roster has been announced. pic.twitter.com/efIAg4jSQ3

— Russian Prospects (@RUSProspects) November 20, 2020

Maple Leafs prospects Rodion Amirov, Mikhail Abramov and Artur Akhtyamov are all on the list, although they are all with their teams still, Abramov in Quebec, and the other two in the KHL. These names are as expected, and it’s likely all three make the cut, but because of the “rapidly evolving situation” as my grocery store like to call it to avoid saying COVID-19, the procedures for this WJC are different from in the past.

The entire tournament will be played in a bubble, largely based on the NHL playoff format, in Edmonton. Getting the teams there involves the following, courtesy of Julie Robenhymer:

The tournament organizers have arranged three charter flights - SWE, FIN & RUS from Helsinki; SVK, CZE & AUT from Vienna; SUI & GER from Zurich - and they all leave on Dec. 13th. So if anyone tests positive, there's not enough time to quarantine, so they'd be unable to fly. (3/?)

— Julie Robenhymer (@JulieRobenhymer) November 19, 2020

This tight test to flight timeline will be why you will see, in the coming days, a very long list of Finns named to their camp.

For this reason, many European teams are inviting upwards of 30 players to camp, just in case some players become unavailable. In addition to the initial test upon arrival, everyone must pass three COVID tests to be able to fly to Edmonton. (4/?)

— Julie Robenhymer (@JulieRobenhymer) November 19, 2020

Upon arrival in Edmonton, every team will immediately be tested again and will have to isolate in their individual hotel rooms for four days, regardless of negative results, and will not be able to gather as a team for meals or meetings, let alone practice until Dec 18th. (6/?)

— Julie Robenhymer (@JulieRobenhymer) November 19, 2020

There’s more to her thread on Twitter about Team Canada (who cares about them) and some other procedures, as well.

There are some pre-tournament games in mid-December, and the event opens on Christmas Day.