Legendary goalie Dominik Hasek ask NHL to ban Rangers superstars from play

PUBLICATION

Joshua Deeds
August 5, 2024 (8:44 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

Legendary NHL goalie has since 2022 been advocating for the NHL to ban Russian hockey players from the league. This happened at the start of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has been ongoing since 2014.

Hasek has again reiterated the call to ban Russian hockey players from stepping onto the ice, as the conflict continues. He did this in Paris during the Olympics in Volia Space in Parc de la Villette.

"The NHL should, and could make a decision," Hasek said from Volia Space. "It's not only about [NHL Commissioner] Gary Bettman. There are 31 owners of NHL teams, and I think that those people are the most responsible. They can sit in their room, and they can vote and make a decision, but they do not want to make that decision."

Hasek would like to see Russians banned from the Olympics as well:

"All of them had the opportunity to submit and approve a law or a regulation banning the entry or public appearance of Russian citizens on the territory of France," he said in his speech. "All these people, both the IOC officials and politicians elected by us citizens, had the opportunity to stop this huge advertisement for the Russian war and Russian crimes."

As far as the notion that if a Russian athlete speaks out against the conflict due to retribution, he says that should do it anyway, due to their positions in the NHL and society.

"You are all in a different position, and you could, and should speak up," he said. "You are not employees of anyone, and especially for the great athletes of the world. Be open."

Hasek lamented the fact that Russians would be participating in the Olympics and criticized the IOC for allowing them to compete.

"Unfortunately, many Russian athletes who have never (officially) condemned the Russian imperialist war and Russian crimes can participate in the Olympic Games," Hasek wrote on social media, translated from Czech. "Their participation (public appearance) will be a huge advertisement for the actions of the Russian country."

Hasek has put himself into the Political sphere, since his retirement in 2008 and is running for Senate in his homeland of Czechia.

Source: Hockey Feed
Dominik Hasek asks NHL owners to ban Russian players