Wayne Gretzky would remove the hockey team from the next World Cup in the 1920s due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“We all agree that this is a pointless war,” Gretzky told a TNT studio, where he plays the role of an expert as the most productive hockey player in the North American NHL.
“I’ve talked to some of the guys who live in Ukraine. It looks like they’re going out of Kiev with their family for a fortnight, dropping it off and then returning on their own. They’re taking rifles and other weapons to defend their city.” described Gretzky.
Unlike Dominik Hašek, he spoke amicably to Alexander Ovechkin, who condemned the invasion of the week but spoke of Vladimir Putin – in line with his long-standing views – as his president.
“It’s not Alex’s fault, but someone else’s,” Gretzky said of Putin.
At the same time, he expressed the opinion on how sport should react to Russia’s military aggression.
“I was pleased when the Polish national football team came up with the idea that they would not play against the Russians,” said the Canadian idol. “I think world hockey should now say, ‘We won’t let them play in the Junior Championships.’ In my opinion, as Canadians, we have to come up with this view if it is the site of an Edmonton tournament. “
The mentioned world championship started in December last year, but ended prematurely due to coronavirus problems. But it will be over in August. He was first speculated to move to Europe, but eventually remains in the Canadian cities of Edmonton and Red Deer.
It is the Twenties Championship that tends to be more attractive to North Americans than the Senior Championship, which coincides with Stanley Cup matches.
However, the participation of Russian hockey players in international events will be addressed in general. The IIHF Council and the Executive Committee of the Czech Union will meet on Monday. His boss, Tomáš Král, has already announced that he will propose the non-participation of the choir in the Czech Games, which serve as a general at the World Cup.
“We wish the people of Ukraine all the best and pray for them,” said Gretzky, who has Eastern European roots, namely Polish, Belarusian and Ukrainian. He had previously revealed that his grandmother spoke Ukrainian to him. His father Walter, although born in Canada, mentioned Ukrainian as his mother tongue in his biography.
