Former Detroit Red Wings goalie and Hockey Hall of Famer Dominik Hasek is calling on the NHL to “immediately suspend contracts for all Rus...
Former Detroit Red Wings goalie and Hockey Hall of Famer Dominik Hasek is calling on the NHL to “immediately suspend contracts for all Russian players” after Russia’s brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
Hasek tweeted:
“The NHL must immediately suspend contracts for all Russian players! Every athlete represents not only himself and his club, but also his country and its values and actions. That is a fact. If the NHL does not do so, it has indirect co-responsibility for the dead in Ukraine.”
He added:
“I also want to write, that I am very sorry for those Russian athletes, who condemn V. Putin and his Russian aggression in Ukraine. However, at the moment I also consider their exclusion a necessity.”
In another tweet, the player who many consider one of the greatest NHL goalies of all time, called Ovechkin an “alibist,” a “liar” and a “chicken shit” for refusing to publicly denounce Putin and his attack on innocent Ukraine citizens. ”
“Every adult in Europe knows well, that Putin is a mad killer and that Russia is waging an offensive war against the free country and its people. The NHL must immediately suspend contracts…”
The NHL must immediately suspend contracts for all Russian players! Every athlete represents not only himself and his club, but also his country and its values and actions. That is a fact. If the NHL does not do so, it has indirect co-responsibility for the dead in Ukraine.
— Dominik Hasek (@hasek_dominik) February 26, 2022
Not surprisingly, CNN attempted to play cover for Ovechkin and his support for Putin. CNN wrote: Ovechkin has been careful to show his support of both countries as Russian-American relations have soured in recent years, but when pressed about his friendship with and previous support of Russian President Vladimir Putin at a Friday news conference, he took a neutral stance.
Neutral??? If the Capital’s star right-winger is taking a “neutral stance,” they why does he STILL feature a photo of him and Putin standing next to each other in his profile picture on Instagram?
And then there’s the post Ovechkin made on his Instagram page four years ago, where he praised Vladimir Putin, “I have never hidden my attitude towards our President, always openly supporting him,” he wrote. “I am sure that there are many of us who support Vladimir The Capital’s star also had this to say about the brutal dictator: Putin! So let’s unite and show everyone a strong and united Russia!” he added.
Here is the entire Instagram post translated from Russian to English:
Today I want to announce that I am creating a public movement called Putin Team. Being part of such a team is a pride for me, it’s like the feeling when you put on the jersey of the Russian national team, knowing that the whole country is rooting for you.
Individual awards and prizes are all great, but in hockey, as in any business, the team is more important to win. Only a team is able to turn the tide of the game, to do the impossible. Recently, in the Western press, I come across a combination of Putin’s team, that is, Putin’s team. And you know, I really liked this definition. Personally, I am ready to be part of such a team. I have never hidden my attitude towards our President, always openly supporting him.
I am sure that there are many of us who support Vladimir Putin! So let’s unite and show everyone a strong and united Russia!
Today I want to announce that I am creating a public movement called Putin Team. Being part of such a team is a pride for me, it’s like the feeling when you put on the jersey of the Russian national team, knowing that the whole country is rooting for you.
Do you agree with Dominick Hasek? Should a professional athlete from another country who plays for an American team be given a pass when they openly support a brutal dictator?
The NHL must immediately suspend contracts for all Russian players! Every athlete represents not only himself and his club, but also his country and its values and actions. That is a fact. If the NHL does not do so, it has indirect co-responsibility for the dead in Ukraine.
— Dominik Hasek (@hasek_dominik) February 26, 2022
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