LATEST | IIHF makes shocking decision regarding Canada's Macklin Celebrini

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Cooper Godin
December 23, 2023 (9:59)

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Canada took on Switzerland in a pre-tournament game ahead of the 2024 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship on Friday and one of their top players, Macklin Celebrini, found himself in hot water.

During the second period, Celebrini was handed a five-minute major and a game misconduct after a dangerous hit on one of Switzerland's players, who hit his head pretty hard into the boards, but thankfully was okay to continue playing.

Many had expected Celebrini to be suspended for a game or two, but on Saturday morning, the IIHF's Disciplinary Panel announced that there would be no further discipline for the Canadian forward.

"The 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Junior Championship Disciplinary Panel has decided that no further supplementary discipline is necessary for the boarding incident that occurred at 32:55 in the 2nd period of the exhibition game between Canada and Switzerland.

In accordance with IIHF disciplinary code article 13.1.3, the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Junior Championship Disciplinary Panel must review all incidents potentially requiring supplementary discipline that occur in exhibition games in the seven days leading up to the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Junior Championships.

Upon reviewing the incident, the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Junior Championship Disciplinary Panel determined that while the major and game misconduct penalty called on the ice against can; Macklin Celebrini for boarding was warranted, no further supplementary discipline is necessary."

This is great news for Canada, who is set to open their tournament on Boxing Day at 6 a.m. PT/9 a.m. ET against Finland on TSN. Canada will also face Germany, Latvia and Sweden in the preliminary round.