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Originally Posted by Xokkeu
So how did Galchenyuk and Matteau play for us?
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I can't say for sure but I could offer guesses...
Matteau tried to play for the US at the U18's and was denied based on the fact he had not played in the US for two consecutive years after the age of 13. However, that age limit was not stated anywhere within the IIHF Statues and Bylaws at the time he applied to play. Furthermore, it wasn't clear if the two year requirement meant two seasons or two calender years, the former of which would have arguably been covered by his time with the NTDP. Either of those could have been used as arguments in USA Hockey's appeal and the fact that the language used by the IIHF was changed to clarify indicates to me they probably came up. Thus an exception would be made for Matteau that is now likely closed for future use.
Galchenyuk's case is less clear. I'd imagine surrendering his Russian citizenship probably played into it though that issue seems to be covered by the IIHF's rules now. It's also possible he has some record of hockey registration from a very young age while he lived in the US, though that seems less likely. It's much less clear to me than the Matteau situation though and I'd guess we'll never know for sure.
Assuming the IIHF enforces their rules as written from now on it seems unlikely players will be granted such exceptions. Here are the relevent sections if you'd like to read them yourself...
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1.6 When a player has changed his citizenship or has acquired or surrendered another citizenship and wants to participate for the first time in an IIHF championship and/or an Olympic competition representing his country of choice he must:
a) prove that he has participated on a consistent basis, for at least two consecutive years (730 days) after his 12th birthday in the
national competitions of and be a legal resident in his new country during which period he has neither transferred to another
country nor played ice hockey for a team registered/located within any other country; and
b) have an international transfer that was approved by the IIHF and dated at least two years (730 days) before the start of the
championship in which he wishes to participate.
1.7 When a player has multiple citizenships where the relevant citizenships are for countries of Member National Associations and he has never represented any country in any IIHF championship or an Olympic competition or in qualifications to these competitions, then in order to play for the country of his choice he must
a) prove that he has participated on a consistent basis, for at least two consecutive years (730 days) after his 12th birthday in the
national competitions of and be a legal resident in the country that he wishes to represent during which period he has neither
transferred to another country nor played ice hockey for a team registered/located within any other country; and
b) if the country of his choice is one to which the player has transferred then he must have had an international transfer that was
approved by the IIHF and dated at least two years (730 days) prior to his proposed participation.
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