War, COVID-19, sexual assault scandal: Oddly timed world juniors attracts controversy

The world was a different place in mid-December. Russia hadn't invaded Ukraine and sexual assault allegations surrounding Hockey Canada were not yet public. The annual men's world junior hockey tournament was postponed due to a spate of positive tests among players and staff. Now the tournament is taking place again in August.

Allegations of a group sexual assault by members of Canada's 2018 world junior team are clouding this year's tournament. The accusation came to light in May when Hockey Canada settled a lawsuit with a woman over the assault alleged to have happened at a post-tournament gathering in London, Ont. in 2003. Sponsors pulled their support, the federal government froze its funding to the organization and a similar incident regarding the 2003 world Junior team also surfaced.

Hockey Canada dropped a non-disclosure agreement with the woman who was allegedly sexually assaulted by a group of players in 2018. Russia won't be playing in the world junior championship because of the ban. The tournament will be held in Maritimes in December. Canada's roster has changed a lot, but the team is still the betting favourite to win the tournament. Connor Bedard, Mason McTavish, Kent Johnson and Shane Wright are the main contenders. They are all considered to be the best prospects since Connor McDavid in 2015.