Hasek Criticizes Capitals and NHL Over Ovechkin Sons' Opening Night Role
Dominik Hasek condemned the Washington Capitals and the NHL for having Alex Ovechkin's sons announce him before the home opener. Hasek said the children were not at fault but argued the organizations exploited them to support Russia's war. He has repeatedly called for Russian players to be barred since the 2022 invasion, while Ovechkin has said he is not involved in politics.
Hasek, a Czech Hall of Famer, has criticized the Capitals and NHL since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. He has pressed the league to keep Russian players out, describing their continued play as backing the conflict. Last month, he said Ovechkin should be denied entry to Canada and the U.S. after Ovechkin appeared in a United Russia campaign video.
This is not Hasek’s first objection to Ovechkin family involvement. In 2023, after Ovechkin’s young son Sergei took a shot on Roberto Luongo at All-Star weekend, Hasek said the NHL had hit its lowest point. Ovechkin, who launched Putin Team in 2017, has said he is not political and called for peace after the invasion.
The dispute may deepen existing divisions among hockey audiences, with some fans seeing the ceremony as a family milestone and others viewing it through geopolitical tensions. Russian players and their families could face added scrutiny, while the Capitals and NHL may confront renewed questions about how they handle politically charged moments. The episode may also affect how teams stage tributes involving athletes linked to contentious public issues, though its broader societal impact remains uncertain.