Detroit Red Wings

The Daily: Former Red Wings goalie Hasek blasts NHL, Bettman; Horvat inks deal with Islanders

Bettman unmoved by Hasek criticism

Published

1 year ago

February 6, 2023

Bob Duff

Dominik Hasek is criticizing the NHL for allowing Alex Ovechkin's son to partake in NHL All-Star Game festivities.

Long a harsh critic of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, former Detroit Red Wings goalie Dominik Hasek is remaining steadfast that Russian athletes shouldn’t be allowed to play in foreign countries while the war continues.

Hasek was harshly critical of the NHL and Commissioner Gary Bettman after the league allowed the involvement of the son of Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin during the Skills Competition portion of the NHL All-Star Game on the weekend in Florida.

The @NHL has sunk to rock bottom! Letting Ovechkin's son perform on the ice at the NHL All-Star is spitting in the face of approximately 500 killed, thousands injured and tens of thousands of kidnapped Ukrainian children. The NHL and Gary Bettman must pay for this heinous act! pic.twitter.com/XiiuP8dA8Z

— Dominik Hasek (@hasek_dominik) February 4, 2023

“The NHL has reached rock bottom,” Hasek posted on his Twitter account. “To allow Ovechkin’s son to be on the ice during the All Star weekend is to spit in the face of an estimated 500 dead, thousands injured and tens of thousands of kidnapped Ukrainian children. The NHL and Gary Bettman must pay for the despicable act.”

Bettman responded to Hasek’s criticism when he met with the media at the All-Star Game.

“Dominik Hasek has been an active critic last year,” Bettman told reporters. “He has the right to have his opinion, but I don’t think it reflects the position of the Czech people or the country’s authorities.

“By the way, I disagree with him.”

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Hockey Now Network

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