More Grief For Red Wings Icon Datsyuk

Detroit Red Wings icon Pavel Datsyuk will be receiving induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame this fall. It’s going to a celebration much to the delight of Red Wings fans, but much to the chagrin of people who are feeling the impact of the Russian war machine.

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) has issued a stern rebuke of the Hall for honoring Datsyuk in this manner at this stage of history. Russia staged an invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago and the war is ongoing.

“In February 2024, Pavel Datsyuk attended an event to honor members of the Russian Armed Forces who participated in Russia’s genocidal war against Ukraine,” the UCC notes on their official feed on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter. “He should not be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame or allowed entry into Canada.”

In February 2024, Pavel Datsyuk attended an event to honour members of the Russian Armed Forces who participated in Russia’s genocidal war against Ukraine. He should not be inducted into the @HockeyHallFame or allowed entry into #Canada. https://t.co/O3xaEGJLvG pic.twitter.com/LA6TwNkKxd

— Ukrainian Canadian Congress (@ukrcancongress) August 19, 2024

Ihor Micalchyshyn, CEO and Executive Director of the UCC, penned a strongly-worded letter to HHOF CEO and President Jeff Denomme questioning their decision regarding Datsyuk.

“Our question . . . is whether the Hockey Hall of Fame deems it appropriate to honor an individual who (through his apparent attendance at an event that honoured ‘veterans’ of the very Armed Forces committing these crimes) signals his support for the genoicde Russia is committing against the Ukrainian people,” Micalchyshyn notes.

The UCC is calling on Datsyuk to publicly condemn Russia’s actions in the war against Ukraine.

Hasek Also Questions Induction of Red Wings Teammate

Former Red Wings goaltender Dominik Hasek, himself a HHOF inductee, has also been calling on Datsyuk to be condemning Russia’s agression against Ukraine. While acknowledging that Datsyuk certainly accumulated the on-ice qualifactions for Hall enshrinement, Hasek is questioning the timing of the move.

New members will be inducted into the @HockeyHallFame 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.…

— Dominik Hasek (@hasek_dominik) July 10, 2024

Certainly, this isn’t a cut and dried issue. What is going on currently in Ukraine is horrific. That being the case, it’s not Datsyuk himself who is committing these actions.

Datsyuk makes his home in Russia, a country in which freedom of speech is not encouraged. Were he to speak out as requested, it would put himself and his family in jeopardy.

We don’t know for certain where Datsyuk stands in terms of the war. When he was in Detroit at Red Wings development camp, he was declining to discuss the political situation in his homeland.