Dominik Hasek expressed his opposition to Russian gamers participating within the NHL World Collection video games in Prague
Dominik Hasek, the retired Czech ice hockey star regarded by many as among the many most interesting goaltenders within the sport’s historical past, has reacted angrily after Russian gamers from two NHL groups had been cleared to play within the NFL’s World Collection video games which is able to happen in Prague on October 7 and eight.
The Czech authorities had initially opposed Russian gamers being permitted to participate within the league video games and public observe classes in Prague this week, which come as a part of an NHL marketing campaign to increase the league’s attain into growing markets.
The Czech Overseas Ministry had even written to the NHL to point out that Russian gamers wouldn’t be welcome, noting that the nation had imposed visa restrictions on Russians.
Nashville has one Russian participant on its roster, Yakov Trenin, whereas Alexander Barabanov represents San Jose. A 3rd Russian participant, Evgeny Svechnikov, is on trial with the Sharks.
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However in accordance with NHL deputy commissioner Invoice Daly, any such opposition to Russian-born NHL gamers has been dropped, and it’s a transfer which can be welcomed by Sharks basic supervisor Mike Grier.
“We’re a staff, so if they are saying some guys cannot go, both all of us go or nobody goes,” Grier stated final week.
“It’s not the gamers’ fault. They did not do something fallacious. I do not suppose they need to be punished for it. We stand with them, and we’re all collectively as one in right here.”
However the feeling isn’t fairly shared by Hasek, the Olympic gold medalist who spent quite a few seasons within the NHL for the Buffalo Sabres and the Detroit Purple Wings, amongst others.
“Sadly [we have to let them in],” Hasek wrote on Twitter of the Russian gamers.
“In accordance with EU legal guidelines (which on this case supersede ours), if they’re coming from one other EU nation, we should allow them to in. That’s, if we’re not in instant hazard. We might solely cease them on the airport when arriving from outdoors the EU.”
Hasek additionally claimed on Wednesday that the presence of the Russian gamers meant that the NHL had “revealed its face” and would subsequently be supporting the Russian army marketing campaign in Ukraine.
READ MORE: NHL staff backs Russians in Euro tour row
Hasek had beforehand petitioned the NHL to intervene within the matter, however it’s understood that he acquired no formal response from the league.
The NHL stopped wanting banning Russian gamers regardless of quite a few different sporting federations throughout the globe imposing numerous restrictions on Russian athletes and sports activities groups since late February.
Two video games between the Nashville Predators and the San Jose Sharks will happen in Prague’s O2 Enviornment on October 7 and eight. Two additional video games will be held in Finland in early November.
