Putin Ally Issues Death Threat to NHL Legend Over Ukraine Stance

Paul Riverbank, 4/24/2025 In a disturbing development highlighting the volatile intersection of sports and geopolitics, NHL legend Dominik Hasek faces death threats from former Russian President Medvedev over his criticism of Russia's Ukraine invasion and stance on Russian athletes in international sports. The incident has drawn strong condemnation from Czech officials.

I've spent decades covering political tensions, but rarely have I seen them spill so brazenly into sports. Hasek, the 60-year-old Hall of Fame goaltender, didn't just whisper about these threats – he went public on X, announcing he'd contacted both the International Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation. The severity? Enough to prompt immediate reaction from Czech leadership.

What strikes me most isn't just the threats themselves – though they're chilling enough, with warnings about "crossing streets" and "drinking beer" that echo Cold War-era intimidation tactics. It's the broader pattern they represent. Here's Medvedev, once viewed as a potential modernizing force in Russian politics, now serving as Putin's attack dog, suggesting through state media that "Hasek's suicide can be expected."

Let's be clear about what sparked this: Hasek's vocal opposition to Russian athletes competing internationally during the Ukraine war. He's particularly irked by the NHL's stance on Russian players, arguing only those who condemn the war should play. But there's more here – his criticism of Alex Ovechkin's NHL scoring record touched a nerve, highlighting Ovechkin's ties to Putin's "PutinTeam" movement.

Czech officials aren't taking this lightly. Prime Minister Fiala called the threats "absolutely unacceptable," while Foreign Minister Lipavský labeled Medvedev's behavior "primitive." Interior Minister Rakušan has even offered protection for Hasek – a move that speaks volumes about how seriously they're taking this.

I've watched sports and politics intersect many times, but this feels different. When a former head of state threatens a sports icon through official channels, we're in uncharted territory. It's not just about hockey anymore – it's about the weaponization of sport itself.

Hasek, for his part, isn't backing down. He recently posted in Russian, thanking supporters and doubling down on his stance. "It gives me strength," he wrote, framing his advocacy as life-saving work. Coming from someone who's faced down the world's best shooters, perhaps we shouldn't be surprised by his courage.

This isn't just another sports controversy – it's a warning sign about how authoritarian regimes respond to criticism, even from retired athletes. As someone who's covered both politics and sports, I can tell you: when these worlds collide this violently, we all need to pay attention.

The Cold War's shadow has found an unlikely new battleground: professional hockey. In a startling development that would have seemed implausible just years ago, Czech hockey legend Dominik Hasek faces death threats from none other than former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.I've spent decades covering political tensions, but rarely have I seen them spill so brazenly into sports. Hasek, the 60-year-old Hall of Fame goaltender, didn't just whisper about these threats – he went public on X, announcing he'd contacted both the International Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation. The severity? Enough to prompt immediate reaction from Czech leadership.What strikes me most isn't just the threats themselves – though they're chilling enough, with warnings about "crossing streets" and "drinking beer" that echo Cold War-era intimidation tactics. It's the broader pattern they represent. Here's Medvedev, once viewed as a potential modernizing force in Russian politics, now serving as Putin's attack dog, suggesting through state media that "Hasek's suicide can be expected."Let's be clear about what sparked this: Hasek's vocal opposition to Russian athletes competing internationally during the Ukraine war. He's particularly irked by the NHL's stance on Russian players, arguing only those who condemn the war should play. But there's more here – his criticism of Alex Ovechkin's NHL scoring record touched a nerve, highlighting Ovechkin's ties to Putin's "PutinTeam" movement.Czech officials aren't taking this lightly. Prime Minister Fiala called the threats "absolutely unacceptable," while Foreign Minister Lipavský labeled Medvedev's behavior "primitive." Interior Minister Rakušan has even offered protection for Hasek – a move that speaks volumes about how seriously they're taking this.I've watched sports and politics intersect many times, but this feels different. When a former head of state threatens a sports icon through official channels, we're in uncharted territory. It's not just about hockey anymore – it's about the weaponization of sport itself.Hasek, for his part, isn't backing down. He recently posted in Russian, thanking supporters and doubling down on his stance. "It gives me strength," he wrote, framing his advocacy as life-saving work. Coming from someone who's faced down the world's best shooters, perhaps we shouldn't be surprised by his courage.This isn't just another sports controversy – it's a warning sign about how authoritarian regimes respond to criticism, even from retired athletes. As someone who's covered both politics and sports, I can tell you: when these worlds collide this violently, we all need to pay attention.