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Gary Bettman addresses Hasek's comments on Sergei/Alexander Ovechkin

PUBLICATION
Cooper Godin
February 5, 2023  (4:14 PM)
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Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Dominik Hasek has been very vocal regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine. On several occasions over the last eleven months, through his social media, Hasek has called out the NHL on their handling of the situation and for not banning Russian players from playing in the league.

Hasek took his frustrations to the next level on Saturday morning, taking aim at not only the NHL, but Alexander Ovechkin's four-year-old son, Sergei, for being allowed to participate in the Skills Competition, while hundreds of Ukrainian children have been killed by Russian troops. Sergei Ovechkin participated in the Breakaway Challenge with his father, Alexander, and Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby.

"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!" Hasek said.

During his state of the league press conference on Saturday afternoon, Bettman addressed Hasek's comments, saying he disagrees with the two-time Stanley Cup champion.

"I don't think he speaks either for the Czech government or people, but he's entitled to his opinion. Which I disagree with, by the way, just so the record is clear." Bettman said.

While Hasek is allowed to have his own opinion and many disagree with Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, it's hard to justify blaming a four-year-old child for what's going on and frankly, it's pretty classless.

Related: DOMINIK HASEK SLAMS ALEX OVECHKIN'S SHOOTOUT W/ HIS SON AS A 'HEINOUS ACT'

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