CHL to make Russian, Belarussian players ineligible for 2022 import draft

The Canadian Hockey League is planning to make Russian and Belarussian players ineligible for the 2022 CHL Import Draft on July 1, according to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger. 

CHL news: Plan is to make Russians & Belarussians ineligible for the 2022 CHL Import Draft on July 1st. However, this decision won't affect players that are already on a CHL team's protected list.

The ban reportedly won't affect players that who are already on a CHL team's protected list. 

Due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine with the support of Belarus, the International Ice Hockey Federation has banned Russia and Belarus from tournaments at all levels until further notice. 

On March 2, The CHL released a statement condemning the use of Russian "military force" in Ukraine and cancelled the 2022 Canada-Russia series.

At the import draft last June, a total of 85 players were selected including a high of 16 from Russia and 11 from Belarus.