Vladimir Putin’s war of aggression has tilted the world off its axis.
That includes the world of sports.
Now an NHL legend made one jaw-dropping statement about the war in Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine created a deluge of backlash that perhaps Putin did not even expect.
Not only have countries issued economic sanctions against Russia, the entire world seems to be imposing cultural sanctions on Russia as well as on Russians around the globe.
And Hall of Fame goalie Dominik Hasek wants to kick all Russians out of the NHL.
Hasek began his rant by attacking Russian-born Washington Capitals all-star Alexander Ovechkin, who has expressed support for Putin in the past.
Ovechkin called for “no more war” with Ukraine.
The star forward said during a press conference:
“I would say it’s a hard situation…I have lots of friends in Russia and Ukraine. And, it’s hard to see another war. I hope it’s soon going to be over and there’s going to be peace in the whole world.”
But Hasek wasn’t having any of it.
He called Ovechkin a “chicken sh*t” and a “liar” on Twitter.
Hasek continued, “Every adult in Europe knows well that Putin is a mad killer and that Russia is waging an offensive war against a free country and its people.”
That’s when Hasek said the NHL must take direct action against Russian players.
Hasek argued, “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.”
That is a shocking statement, especially considering all of the human rights abuses considered by countries around the globe.
Hasek 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.”
Hasek is essentially making the same argument for internment during World War II.
The internment of Americans of Japanese, German, and Italian descent was considered a blight on Franklin Roosevelt’s administration, but the war in Ukraine has people like Hasek baying for blood.
Even Democrat congressman Eric Swalwell suggested that expelling Russian students from the country should be considered.
Swalwell said:
“Frankly, I think closing [Russia’s] embassy in the United States, kicking every Russian student out of the United States, those should all be on the table…Vladimir Putin needs to know every day that he is in Ukraine, there are more severe options that could come.”
That’s rich coming from Swalwell considering he allegedly engaged in a sexual relationship with a Chinese spy.
If there is any silver lining to the devastating war in Ukraine, President Xi—who is allied with Putin—might be deterred from making a move on Taiwan.
China’s human rights abuses have largely been ignored, but Putin’s gambit may have reset the playing field.