Reflecting On Ovechkin: Sports And Outside World Need To Be Separate

*Please note that the following opinion piece is of my own and does not reflect the opinions of any other contributor or FanSided in general. This is by no means a way to promote the Russia/Ukraine conflict nor is it to promote any other comments. This is simply my opinion based on thorough research done online.*

Recently, I wrote an article updating the status of Logan Mailloux‘s season with the OHL London Knights. A controversial topic obviously but one that can still be looked upon the clear lense and point of view of a hockey fan. Controversy however, is never far away and the latest conflict between Russia and Ukraine has the entire world on the edge of their seats. Everything behind this war is wrong, immoral and dangerous. Which is why sports shouldn’t have anything to do with it.

The world is currently angry at Russian Dictator/President/Prime Minister/WhateverTitleHeFeelsLikeHavingToday Vladimir Putin. With reason. However, there’s no need to be angry at everyone who’s of Russian descendant.

The Montreal Canadiens have informed the media that they will not be allowing any interviews to be conducted with Alexander Romanov. Romanov of course is from Moscow and has tons of family and friends in both Russia and Ukraine. The gesture shouldn’t have been needed, but it’s been done because things have already gone overboard.

Alexander Ovechkin was hounded for days by the media until the team finally let him speak, mostly because they had no choice given his status of team captain and franchise icon, and pleaded the Russian government to end the war. Of course this went to deaf ears, as fans were quick to point out photos of Ovechkin and Vladimir Putin on his Instagram page. Dan Milstein, who is an NHL player agent, has many Russian clients such as Nikita Kucherov, Andrei Vasilevsky, Nikita Zaitsev, Ilya Sorokin and many others. According to Dan Milstein, who spoke to Darren Dreger on TSN Insider, many of his clients have received legitimate “scary threats”.

"I just spoke with @HockeyAgent1. He has raised concerns of «real threats» to his Russian based clients both in-person and on Social media to the NHLPA and NHL clubs with Russian born players. Milstein is asking for additional security for his players in North America. – Darren Dreger – Quote taken off houseofhockey.net"

The hate towards Russian players, especially Ovechkin, has reached an intolerable level with people like Dominik Hasek and Wayne Gretzky speaking up against them in general.

Alexander Ovechkin has become persona non grata with hockey fans. Many are calling him out for publicly speaking in favor of Vladimir Putin and have called him all sorts of names, including a traitor. The biggest difference between a Russian civilian and most other civilians around the world is that we are allowed to speak freely. When you are from a communist country, or worst are a celebrity from said communist country, even living abroad you have no say in anything. You smile, you support and that’s the end of it. Alexander Ovechkin is not a war monger nor does he ever promote hate.

Since being drafted in 2004, Ovechkin has been a hero to hockey and has helped countless charities and donated his time to so many people in need, all the while promoting the game of hockey. Yes, he has the ability to speak up and say something, but why would he risk that? The same can be said about Alexander Romanov. Why would he risk speaking up against a regime that can arrest your family because you spoke ill against the leader of your homeland? That’s what communism is. Don’t think for a second people that are protesting against the war in Moscow has not faced serious repercussions.

Even if Vladimir Putin doesn’t take immediate action, he doesn’t forget. He knows how the French media all over the world purposely misspell his last name to Poutine, because of what his actual name means in French. Don’t expect France, Belgium or even Quebec to be greeted with open arms by Russia any time soon.

Death threats towards people because of their nationality is wrong and always will be. If your kids know of any Russians in school or at the rink, remind them that they are people like you and I. Remind them of the absolute fear they must be enduring on a daily basis. I can’t believe the amount of stories i’ve heard of parents pulling their kids out of hockey because their teammates have verbally and physically assaulted them because they are Russian. They don’t deserve to be another statistic of racism and hate.

The point of this opinion piece is to vent my frustration and maybe open some eyes that even people like Ovechkin, with all his fame and all his media power and fortune, can’t say a word, let alone think them.

North America played a huge role in destroying the Iron Curtain and allow Russian players to play to the NHL. You can only think of stories like those of Alexander Mogilny or Pavel Bure as an example.

Mogilny fled to the United States via Stockholm after the 1989 World Junior Championship in order to pursue an NHL career and be a free citizen. It took the crumble of the Soviet Union and decades of reparations for Mogilny to even consider going back to Russia, which he has as he is now the President of Amur Khabarovsk of the Kontinental Hockey League.

You can be anti-war and still support Ukraine and their President Volodymyr Zelensky. You can do it by making donations that will go towards the victims and relief programs. You can also help by educating people around you, especially your kids, that hating on someone because of where they or their parents are from is wrong. Especially in sports.

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