War Of Words Between Former Detroit Stars

Dominik Hasek and Viacheslav Fetisov were both key components in multiple Stanley Cup wins by the Detroit Red Wings.

Fetisov was part of the Russian Five as Detroit won back-to-back Cups in 1996-97 and 1997-98. Hasek would post seven postseason shutouts as the Wings won the 2001-02 Cup. He and Chris Osgood were sharing the net for Detroit’s 2007-08 title run.

Today, these two Hockey Hall of Famers find themelves as polar opposites in the debate over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Yesterday in Kyiv, at a conference on the influence of sport on world events, I had the opportunity to describe in my speech how much some competitions (e.g. @NHL @WTA @atptour, fencing, boxing, wrestling federations and many others) are involved in promoting the Russian war and… pic.twitter.com/nlO13ShMp7

— Dominik Hasek (@hasek_dominik) December 5, 2024

Hasek recently spoke in Kyiv at a conference about the role of sports in influencing world events.

“Some sports leagues and federations have a large share of influence and are responsible for a huge number of lost and damaged lives,” Hasek was later posting on X, the social media site once known as Twitter. “Therefore, these leagues and federations should pay Ukraine hundreds of billions of dollars.”

Former Red Wings Fetisov Labels Hasek A Crazy Man

In reponse, Fetisov, today a member of the Russian Douma, was suggesting that Hasek might have a screw loose.

“A person gets into politics, he wants to acquire some baggage for himself,” Fetisov was telling Russian website Sport-Express. “But he is an experienced person and should understand that conflicts end sooner or later, and life goes on.

“This is a person who has established himself in sports, and sports gave him the opportunity, among other things, to oppose the Russian guys.”

The Russian Bobby Orr.

A young Slava Fetisov. pic.twitter.com/ygd9Uwi6W4

— The Hockey Samurai 侍 (@hockey_samurai) October 12, 2024

Pointing out the Hasek spent his final pro season of 2010-11 with Moscow Spartak of the KHL, Fetisov was even suggesting that there was an air of hyprocrisy to Hasek’s outrage.

“It should have started with the fact that he should return the money he earned in Russia,” Fetisov said. “He should return everything that was paid here, and only then make claims.

“It doesn’t look very nice from his point of view: he earned money here in Russia, and now he’s being smart. He lives on this money and tries to earn even more at the expense of criticism. This is a game without any rules!

“Otherwise, it’s another cheap PR stunt for a guy who has already been forgotten. A crazy person. Everything is clear with him.”