Dominik Hasek speaks out against timing of Pavel Datsyuk's HHOF Induction

The legendary 2001-2002 Stanley Cup-winning Detroit Red Wings squad now boasts a 10th Hall of Fame member, as Russian forward Pavel Datsyuk will be inducted into the shrine later this year. As you may remember, Datsyuk was a fresh-faced rookie that didn't yet speak English when he skated alongside stars like Brett Hull, Steve Yzerman, Brendan Shanahan, Luc Robitaille, Nicklas Lidstrom and others.

Another Hall of Fame member from that team is goaltender Dominik Hasek, who has been one of the most vocal critics of the Russian invasion of Ukraine that began in early 2022. Hasek has repeatedly expressed his opposition to Russian players participating in the National Hockey League and earning contracts following the invasion. He even went so far as to call Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin a "chicken s**t" for his response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions.

Hasek took to his social media account to say that while he supports his former teammate's induction into the HHOF following an "outstanding" career, it's an inappropriate time for the spotlight to be on a Russian athlete who hasn't openly denounced the Ukraine invasion.

"New members will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November. Among them will be Russian citizen and former outstanding hockey player Pavel Datsyuk. With his excellent performances and everything he has done for hockey, Pavel undoubtedly deserves a place in the HHOF. Induction into the HHOF is public and it is customary for each inductee to be present at the induction into the HHOF. Here it must be said that every public appearance of a Russian citizen who has not officially condemned the Russian imperialist war and other crimes connected with it (including the genocide of Ukrainian children) is automatically a huge advertisement for the Russian war and other Russian crimes, including the genocide of Ukrainian children.

I don't know if Pavel plans to condemn the Russian war in the coming months and, above all, if he is able to do it. However, it must be said that if he doesn't, his appearance at the award ceremony (since he is a Russian citizen) will be a huge advertisement for the Russian war and Russian crimes.

And it will have the effect of escalating the war, delaying the victory of Ukraine and delaying the achievement of peace. And so it will automatically have an effect on a much larger number of human lives lost and maimed. Both on the Ukrainian side and on the Russian side. Canada and the HHOF must decide what is more important to them. Is it the presence and public appearance of the Russian citizen and new HHOF member Pavel Datsyuk? Or are they human lives that you can save by making the right decision and not allowing a Russian citizen to appear publicly on your territory?

Canada and the HHOF, by your decision you will make it clear to the world what is more important to you and how important human life is to you, even if it is on another continent. The decision is yours."

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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