Russian NHL stars largely silent on Ukrainian war

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Russian athletes in the National Hockey League are remaining largely silent over the country's assault on Ukraine, reportedly fearing retribution.

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin and Calgary Flames defenceman Nikita Zadorov are the only two Russians out of the league's 41 to give their opinions on the war.

“It’s difficult for all the Russian players in the league,” said Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan.

“There’s a lot of pressure put on them to have a political opinion either way and they’re trying to balance out how they live their lives and what their political opinions are and the repercussions that could happen back home.

“It’s a difficult situation for these guys.”

Nicknamed “The Great 8", Ovechkin is Russia's most accomplished ice hockey player and arguably the country's greatest athlete ever.

He has scored 762 goals during his 17-year NHL career, been awarded MVP three times, won one Stanley Cup with the Capitals and three world championships with the Russian national team.

He has faced increasing pressure for his close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ovechkin in 2017 launched created the “Team Putin” initiative and encouraged other Russian stars Evgeni Malkin and Ilya Kovalchuk to join the social media campaign.

“It's a hard situation,” Ovechkin said last week.

“I have family back in Russia and [there are] scary moments. But we can't do anything. We just hope it going to end soon and everything is going to be all right.

“Please, no more war.

“It doesn't matter who is in the war — Russia, Ukraine, different countries — I think we live in a world, like, we have to live in peace and a great world.”

"Please, no more war."Alex