Federal government warns Canadian hockey players in Russia, Belarus to leave

Canadians continue to play hockey for Kontinental Hockey League teams in Russia and Belarus despite the Canadian government's warning to get out of those countries.

The 48 Canadian players currently on KHL club rosters this season is the most from any country outside Russia.

Forty-four are playing for clubs within Russian and Belarusian borders, with the other four in Kazakhstan.

Russia, with Belarus a supporter, invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24.

Canada has been firmly on the side of Ukraine in the conflict with $626 million in military aid and over $320 million in humanitarian assistance since February, as well imposing financial sanctions on Russia and Belarus.

"President [Vladimir] Putin's war in Ukraine is a war on freedom, on democracy and on the rights of Ukrainians, and all people, to determine their own future," wrote Adrien Blanchard, press secretary for Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, in an emailed statement to The Canadian Press.

Alberta-based player agent Ritchie Winter, who has three clients in the KHL, says players have a right to make a living in their profession as other Canadians do working in foreign countries.

"We live in a world where individuals are allowed to make those decisions. It's just an individual decision related to an employment opportunity," Winter said. "Has every player that's gone, push, tugged and pulled and wrestled with the decision? Yeah, absolutely.

"At the end of the day, they're husbands and fathers who have responsibilities to their families. If you're a young family with limited resources because you played mostly in the minors, there's a desire to take care of your family.

"Sometimes that leads people to the oilfields in Kazakhstan and sometimes it leads them to the KHL."

Adv