Slovakia's Minister of Sport slams countrymen playing in the KHL, including former NHLer
Slovakia's Minister of Sport has issued a scathing rebuke of seven hockey players from his country who have chosen to play in the KHL this year. Ivan Husár called them "heartless ignoramuses" who will be making "blood money."
"Six of our top hockey players have signed KHL contracts (that number reached seven shortly after his remarks)," said Husár. "To the competition, which has finances mostly from state-owned companies. To a league that is a propaganda showcase for the military aggressor [Vladimir] Putin."
Husár added he believes some of those who signed even gave priority to Russia over signing in North America. One of the seven, Christian Jaros, played with the New Jersey Devils last season, and has a total of 94 NHL games under his belt.
"They will play against CSKA Moscow, whose officials have sent their excellent player [Ivan] Fedotov to Siberia as punishment," said Husár, referring to the fact that Fedotov was sent to complete his military service shortly after signing a deal with the Philadelphia Flyers for the upcoming NHL season.
"They're going to make blood money," Husár insisted.
Besides Jaros, the others are Patrik Rybar, Michal Cajkovsky, Adam Liska, Michal Kristof, Samuel Bucek, and Adam Húska. All of them have played in Canada or the US over the past few years, but at levels lower than the NHL. Husár referred to past conflicts Slovakia has been involved in with Russia, and stated the war currently happening in Ukraine could mean people in his country have limited access to electricity, medical professionals, and even food if it stretches on.
"And you guys will earn a luxurious life in Russia. You will be subservient to Putin's propaganda. You will promote the league in a country that has put your native homeland on Russia's enemies list. You are ignorant. That's what I meant to say. Heartless ignoramuses," said Husár.
There has been some talk of barring the seven players from representing Slovakia at future international tournaments such as the World Championships and Olympics. Current president of the country's hockey federation, former NHLer Miroslav Satan, said it's not something he wants to do.
"We haven't thought about it yet," said Satan. "We will see what the situation will be in November. We hope that by then the whole situation will settle down and change positively and we won't have to deal with such things."
For anyone wondering, there are several Canadians and Americans currently participating in the KHL's preseason, with the regular season slated to begin on September 1st. Very few have made the decision to leave the league due to the invasion of Ukraine.
Source: Aktuality.sk
| POLL | ||
AOÛT 23 | 197 ANSWERS Slovakia's Minister of Sport slams countrymen playing in the KHL, including former NHLer Should players outside of Russia be willing to play in the KHL right now? | ||
| No, it's not right | 86 | 43.7 % |
| Yes, you have a right to make a living | 62 | 31.5 % |
| I'm not sure | 49 | 24.9 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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APRIL 25, 2026
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Drake Batherson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Taylor Hall | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Mark Jankowski | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Eric Robinson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Tim Stutzle | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Carter Yakemchuk | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Sebastian Aho | - | - | - | |
| Mike Amadio | - | - | - | |
| Frederik Andersen | - | - | - | |
| Jackson Blake | - | - | - | |
| William Carrier | - | - | - | |
| Thomas Chabot | - | - | - | |
| Jalen Chatfield | - | - | - | |
| Nick Cousins | - | - | - | |
| Dylan Cozens | - | - | - | |
| Nicolas Deslauriers | - | - | - | |
| Lars Eller | - | - | - | |
| Warren Foegele | - | - | - | |
| Dennis Gilbert | - | - | - | |
| Claude Giroux | - | - | - | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||
| 2025-2026 NHL STANDINGS | ||||||
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Sabres | 82 | 50 | 23 | 9 | 109 | |
| Lightning | 82 | 50 | 26 | 6 | 106 | |
| Canadiens | 82 | 48 | 24 | 10 | 106 | |
| Bruins | 82 | 45 | 27 | 10 | 100 | |
| Senators | 82 | 44 | 27 | 11 | 99 | |
| Red Wings | 82 | 41 | 31 | 10 | 92 | |
| Panthers | 82 | 40 | 38 | 4 | 84 | |
| Maple Leafs | 82 | 32 | 36 | 14 | 78 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Hurricanes | 82 | 53 | 22 | 7 | 113 | |
| Penguins | 82 | 41 | 25 | 16 | 98 | |
| Flyers | 82 | 43 | 27 | 12 | 98 | |
| Capitals | 82 | 43 | 30 | 9 | 95 | |
| Blue Jackets | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 92 | |
| Islanders | 82 | 43 | 34 | 5 | 91 | |
| Devils | 82 | 42 | 37 | 3 | 87 | |
| Rangers | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Avalanche | 82 | 55 | 16 | 11 | 121 | |
| Stars | 82 | 50 | 20 | 12 | 112 | |
| Wild | 82 | 46 | 24 | 12 | 104 | |
| Mammoth | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Blues | 82 | 37 | 33 | 12 | 86 | |
| Predators | 82 | 38 | 34 | 10 | 86 | |
| Jets | 82 | 35 | 35 | 12 | 82 | |
| Blackhawks | 82 | 29 | 39 | 14 | 72 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Golden Knights | 82 | 39 | 26 | 17 | 95 | |
| Oilers | 82 | 41 | 30 | 11 | 93 | |
| Ducks | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Kings | 82 | 35 | 27 | 20 | 90 | |
| Sharks | 82 | 39 | 35 | 8 | 86 | |
| Kraken | 82 | 34 | 37 | 11 | 79 | |
| Flames | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| Canucks | 82 | 25 | 49 | 8 | 58 | |
COMPLETE STANDINGS | ||||||