Wayne Gretzky responds to Ovechkin's comments and calls for major sanctions against Russian hockey.

We are already seeing the ongoing conflict in the Ukraine having a major impact on the sport of hockey across the globe, but now arguably the biggest name in the sport is calling for actions that would cause that impact to ripple all the way to Canada.

National Hockey League legend Wayne Gretzky was recently asked about the situation in the Ukraine and it was clear that he has been deeply affected by the conflict. Gretzky said that he had spoken to contacts in the Ukraine, whom he chose not to name for obvious reasons, and recounted the horrifying situations they were experiencing.

"It's not good listen, we all agree that this is a senseless war," said Gretzky as per TSN. "I talked to a couple guys this morning who are living in Ukraine. They are actually driving from Kiev with their families, 14 hours, dropping them off, driving back and picking up rifles and guns so they can protect their own city."

Some, including NHL legend Dominik Hasek, have called for Russian players currently playing in North America to be temporarily suspended and sent back home to Russia during this crisis and Gretzky also shared his thoughts on that. It seemed as though Gretzky was not in favor of punishing individuals for the actions of the government, but he also called on international hockey bodies to ban Russian teams from play at major international tournaments.

"If we're gonna send hockey players home we should send everybody home right?" asked Gretzky. "It's not just hockey players, there's a lot of other people here who are making a living. But one of things I was so glad to see, the Polish soccer team step up and say 'we're not gonna play against them' and I think international hockey should say we're not gonna let them play in the world junior hockey tournament. I think we gotta as Canadians take that stance since the game's are gonna be played in Edmonton."

Last but not least, Gretzky also commented on the backlash currently being faced by Washington Capitals star forward Alex Ovechkin. The Great One left no doubt that he feels only one man is to blame for what is currently happening in the Ukraine.

"You know Alex isn't driving this bus, it's this one guy that's driving this bus and it's not good," said Gretzky. "We wish everybody in the Ukraine all our best."

Overall it felt like a very measured take on the part of Gretzky, one I think many will find themselves agreeing with.