Hall of Fame goaltender Dominik Hasek has as soon as once more referred to as out the NHL for giving a highlight to Russian gamers through the nation’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
During the 2023 NHL Skills Competition on Friday evening, Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby teamed up within the Breakaway Challenge. The pair of NHL legends skated down the ice with Ovechkin’s 4-year-old son, Sergei, and let him swat the puck previous legendary goaltender Roberto Luongo and into the web.
For many individuals watching the occasion, it was a enjoyable second involving two of one of the best gamers in NHL historical past. However, Hasek noticed it in a unique gentle. One day after the abilities competitors, Hasek tweeted out a photograph of Sergei Ovechkin scoring the objective and slammed the NHL, in addition to commissioner Gary Bettman, for glorifying the Russian All-Star and his son.
Ovechkin does have a historical past of supporting Russian president Vladimir Putin. In 2017, Ovechkin started a social motion referred to as PutinCrew to help Putin’s bid for re-election. Ovechkin’s profile image on Instagram remains to be a photograph of him posing with Putin.
While Ovechkin has been a supporter of Putin for a lot of his profession, the Washington Capitals star did come out in opposition to the battle in February of 2022. After Russia started its invasion of Ukraine, Ovechkin referred to Putin as “my president” and said that it was a “onerous state of affairs proper now for either side” earlier than calling for an finish to the battle.
“Please, no extra battle,” Ovechkin stated. “It would not matter who’s within the battle – Russia, Ukraine, completely different nations – I believe we stay in a world, like, now we have to stay in peace and an amazing world.”
Hasek, a Czech native, has referred to as for the NHL and different skilled sports activities leagues to ban Russian athletes from competing till the nation ends its invasion of Ukraine. In October, the Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks performed the NHL Global Series in Prague, Czech Republic, and Hasek stated it could be an “inexcusable act” to let Russian gamers take part.
Despite Hasek’s criticisms, the NHL has not positioned sanctions of any variety on Russian gamers.
