The National Hockey League made the decision Monday evening to suspend business partnerships with Russia in light of its invasion of Ukraine.
The hockey organization said in a statement that the NHL would be moving to halt business relationships with “partners in Russia,” along with “pausing” several Russian language and social media services in protest of the full-scale invasion launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin last Thursday.
“The National Hockey League condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and urges a peaceful resolution as quickly as possible,” the NHL said in the statement.
‘AN ALIBIST, A CHICKEN S***, BUT ALSO A LIAR’: FORMER NHL GOALIE SLAMS OVECHKIN
“In addition, we are discontinuing any consideration of Russia as a location for any future competitions involving the NHL,” the league said in the statement.
The NHL expressed concern for “the well-being of the players from Russia, who play in the NHL on behalf of their NHL Clubs, and not on behalf of Russia.”
Statement from the National Hockey League: https://t.co/r4jOj5uCrw pic.twitter.com/TPh84ntbDm
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 28, 2022
“We understand they and their families are being placed in an extremely difficult position,” the NHL said in the statement.
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Former Detroit Red Wings goalie and Hockey Hall of Famer Dominik Hasek slammed Washington Capitals star Alexander Ovechkin on Twitter on Saturday, calling for the removal of NHL players from Russia.
“What!? Not only an alibist, a chicken s***, bur also a liar,” Hasek said. “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. The NHL must immediately suspend contracts for all Russian players!”
What!? Not only an alibist, a chicken shit, but also a liar! 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. The NHL must immediately suspend contracts(contin)https://t.co/BQnQaf76L7
— Dominik Hasek (@hasek_dominik) February 26, 2022
Hasek’s words came a day after Ovechkin had described the conflict between Russia and Ukraine as being a “hard situation,” and he said that he hoped for “peace.”
“I’m not in politics. I’m an athlete,” Ovechkin told reporters. “It’s a hard situation right now, for both sides and everything. Everything I hope is going to end. I’m not in control of this situation.”
