Dominik Hasek asks NHL owners to ban Russian players

Former NHL goaltender Dominik Hasek has been one of the most vocal critics of the Russian invasion of Ukraine that began in early 2022. He has repeatedly expressed opposition to Russian players participating in the National Hockey League and earning contracts following the invasion.

Hasek is once again calling for NHL owners to "not let Russian citizens, Russian players, step on the ice" in the wake of the ongoing conflict, speaking from Volia Space in Parc de la Villette in Paris during the ongoing 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

"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 also would like to see Russian athletes banned from participating in the ongoing Olympic Games.

"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 Russian athletes may be hesitant to speak out due to fear of retribution against themselves or their families, Hasek swept those concerns aside and said they should do so anyway.

"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."

At the start of the Olympics, Hasek lamented Russian participation in the Games and criticized IOC officials for allowing them to continue to take part.

"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 since entered the political arena in his native Czechia following his hockey career that continued well after his second and final retirement from the NHL in 2008, and is currently running for Senate.

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