Dominik Hasek calls on the NHL for more action against Russia

PUBLICATION

Joshua Deeds
December 23, 2022 (10:36)

SHARE THIS STORY

The Russian and Ukraine situation has reverberated far into other sections of people's lives, as Hockey becomes a by-standard of the conflict. Take, for example, Dominik Hasek, a Stanley Cup-winning goalie who has led efforts to change the outcome of the war.

I consider it important to also mention Russian athletes who, like all of us adults, are responsible for the actions of their country. First of all, I want to emphasize that every Russian athlete has the right to any opinion about the war in Ukraine, and we should always respect that. Of course, this does not mean that we have to agree with it. However, unless we want to support Russia's war in Ukraine and all the horrors that come with it, we cannot allow Russian athletes to compete with us at this time. I do not consider their non-participation in any way a sanction against them, but to encourage an end to this war thereby saving tens of thousands of lives, including their fellow Russian soldiers, who were recruited to fight.

I want to believe that in the short-term you will decide to stop supporting the war in Ukraine and will not allow Russian athletes to advertise Russia's aggressive policy in your competitions, as most competitions in the world have decided. If you make this choice, I would like to use this letter to ask you for maximum support for all "your" Russian athletes in this difficult time for them, when they will not be able to participate in our competitions. This should come in the form of financial support not only for each athlete, but also for their family, including quality health insurance. This should be easily achievable in collaboration with the NHLPA, and I believe that the WTA and ATP can also solve this.

Hasek has released a letter calling for the NHL to take action in regard to stopping the conflict in Ukraine. The star goalie has once again, asked for the NHL to disallow Russian hockey players to play in the NHL at this current time, while the war still rages.

Hasek seems primed to end the war the only way he knows how which is through sanctions by another name and enforcement of trade restrictions by keeping Russian players out of multiple arenas. The goalie has an ambitious notion that the NHL listens on principle alone, as the last time he called for this, it fell on deaf ears.