The background involves a legal dispute between Hemming and Kiekko-Espoo that began last July. Hemming's mother terminated her child's contract with the Espoo club last July, with two years remaining on a three-year deal, citing a right based on the law concerning young workers. Hemming wanted to move to play for the Kitchener Rangers in the Canadian OHL junior league.
According to Kiekko-Espoo, the contract termination was illegal. The dispute between the parties continues and is pending in district court. Hemming received an athletic scholarship from Boston College late last year and now plays in the NCAA college series, having been able to move because the NCAA is not under the International Ice Hockey Federation.
The under-18 World Championship tournament begins on April 22 in Slovakia. The team was announced on Sunday, and Hemming is not in the camp group preparing for the tournament. According to sources, the reasons for Hemming's exclusion are not athletic or game-related.
Oscar Hemming did not want to comment on the matter.