Ukrainian-born NHL agent says clients are wrongly being targeted amid Russia-Ukraine war: 'They want peace'

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While several international sports federations have answered global calls to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, one Ukrainian-born NHL agent believes the overwhelming anger and fear felt by many is being wrongly directed at players he calls "contributing members of society" who share their view of the war. 

Dan Milstein, who represents most of the NHL’s Russian-born players, told Fox News Digital in a phone interview that several of his clients have been targeted since the attack on Ukraine began. He explained that while they don’t support the war, many of them can’t speak out on it because of fear of retribution. 

"What's unfortunate for my clients is that the very same people who were going to name their kids after my clients are those ones wishing them death five seconds later," he said. "I am against the war and I want peace. My childhood home in Kyiv is being targeted right now. But, at the same time, these guys that are professional hockey players. … They’re contributing members of society."

"The very same people who were going to name their kids after my clients are those ones wishing them death five seconds later."

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Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates a win against the Ottawa Senators at Amalie Arena, March 1, 2022, in Tampa, Florida.  (Getty Images)

Milstein was born in Kyiv but came to the United States at 16 as a political refugee in 1991. He has a unique understanding of the situation. He says he has personally been targeted since defending his clients in an interview last week with ESPN. 

"I’ve been a big target because I speak up and