For the first time, Russian NHL players were clearly against the war. Nikita Zadorov (28) also revealed that Russian hockey players were divided.

The Calgary Flames defender made these remarks in an interview with renowned YouTube profiler and Kremlin critic Jurij Dud, which was reproduced by others Komsomolskaya Pravda And Sport.ru.

He said that NHL players from Russia made efforts to organize themselves after Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022 – but they ended up in two camps.

– We were divided into two camps. On the one hand – the propaganda camp, on the other – in my opinion more elected.

By “propaganda camp” is meant those who believe the Kremlin’s propaganda justifying the invasion of Ukraine.

He said it was Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky who took the initiative to make the joint statement. But it never came.

Dud asked Zadorov that he grew up in Moscow and moved to North America at the age of 17. So what does he really know about life in Russia? Would he also support the war if he were there and playing in the KHL?

– I do not know. I understand everyone who needs to feed their family. People who play in the KHL and wear jerseys “Z”“Z”“Z” has become a symbol of support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. – they all think primarily about their family. Unfortunately, the world is such that people give up their moral principles if they have to feed their families.

Zadorov said there is uncertainty among NHL players about whether they could lose their visas in the US and Canada.

He did not mention Aleksandr Ovechkin directly – but indirectly. Ovechkin is Russia’s greatest NHL player of all time and wholeheartedly supports President Vladimir Putin.

Captain of the Washington Capitals Instagram profile still decorated with photos of him and Putin.

In contrast, Zadorov criticized NHL legend and current CSKA coach Sergej Fyodorov, who supports what Putin called “military special operations.”

– I was shocked when I read his statement, Zadorov told Dud.

Reaction to Zadorov’s interview has arrived. Speaking to Komsomolskaya Pravda, Soviet hockey legend Aleksandr Kozjvnikov said:

– I wonder what spy service he works for? asked Kozhnikov, believing that Zadorov was simply spouting “nonsense” and “shit.”