Hockey legend Dominik Hasek calls on NHL to suspend Russian players, takes aim at Ovechkin

With war raging between Russia and the Ukraine, tensions are running high around the world. And, with the high number of Russians playing in the NHL, hockey legend Dominik Hasek is calling on the league to make a statement.

Hasek, who has become heavily involved in politics in his home country of the Czech Republic since his retirement, took particular aim at Alexander Ovechkin for his recent statements on the conflict.

"Not only an alibist, a chicken shit, but also a liar!" said Hasek, while Tweeting a story about Ovechkin's comments on the war Friday. "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."

Hasek then went on to demand that the NHL suspend the contracts of Russian players.


"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."

"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."

Ovechkin, who has been a vocal supporter of Russian president Vladimir Putin over the years, took questions from the media Friday where he said he wants "no more war." However, he was twice asked if he supported Putin, and did not directly answer the question each time.

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

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.— Dominik Hasek (@hasek_dominik) February 26, 2022