The Calgary Flames are promoting Alexander Ovechkin’s final game in Calgary which is being met with pushback from the city’s Ukrainian community.
“This is very unfortunate decision,” said the president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) Calgary branch Anna Tselukhina. “Overall this is a knife in the back of Ukrainian community.”
“There is also a moral question,” she said.
On the team’s website it advertises the December 5th game at the Saddledome.
“It’s more than a farewell to the Saddledome! Celebrate the legacy of Alexander Ovechkin as Calgary welcomes one of hockey’s greatest goal scorers for his final visit.”
Support for Putin
The NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer has been at the centre of controversy since the start of the season. On Tuesday a protest was held outside the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa over his support for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ottawa’s Ukrainian Canadian Congress organized a rally calling it the “Rally: No War Crimes in Ottawa” ahead of the Capitals game against the Ottawa Senators.
“A group of protesters were spotted outside the arena holding signs with the words “Putin War Criminal” and “Ovechkin is not ‘just a hockey player.’”
Ovechkin was asked how he felt about the planned protest outside the Ottawa arena before the game.
“I just heard about this morning, and I don’t know what to say,” Ovechkin told reporters Tuesday morning. “You know, lots of protests going on around the world.”
‘I”m Russian’
In September Ovechkin appeared in a commercial for a party aligned with Putin in September, standing behind Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
“I’m Russian,” Ovechkin said in response to the political advertisement. “I’m for peace and love, I hope everything is going to be okay. My home is Russia.”
Currently the cheapest ticket to the game is $96. For hockey fans, they want to see Ovechkin play at the Saddledome one last time.
“It is a little bit disappointing, I probably will still be at the game,” Zach Roesseo who has season tickets. “It’s not great for the hockey world, but it’s not so much of a deal I wouldn’t go to the game at all.”
Flames fan Zachary McMurrer, goes to a handful of games a year.
“We got to keep the politics aside,” said McMurrer. “I would like to see him before he packs it in”
Dean Loewen is another hockey fan who would love to see Ovechkin play on Dec. 5.
“I’m Ukrainian,” said Loewen. “He’s a person and were people, like let the guy play. Let him be in peace, play hockey and enjoy the night.”
Tselukhina says Calgary’s UCC branch plans to hold a rally on December 5th in opposition to Alex Ovehckin and Flames farewell game for him.
“I just wish that, Calgary Flames, that they would consider the Ukrainian community,” said Tselukhina. “I don’t know how you can honour somebody who basically supports and promotes the genocide, and aggression of (Ukraine).”
CTV News reached out to the Flames requesting a comment on the matter, but the organization turned down the opportunity.
Hall of Famer blasts Flames
Legendary NHL goaltender Dominik Hasek calls the Flames decision “terrible” to promote Ovechkin’s final game in Calgary.
“What the Calgary Flames are doing -- they promote a person who is a supporter of the murderers, criminals and terrorists,” said Hasek.
Hasek was boron in the Czechoslovakia --now the Czech Republic -- which has a history of Russian influence, including being invaded by the Russians in August, 1968. He has called on the Canadian government to prevent Ovechkin from entering the country.
“I am so disappointed with the approach of the country of Canada. I believe they should never ever let Alex Ovechkin on its territory.”
He argues you cannot separate politics from sport and has a message for fans planning to attend the December 5th game.
“People say politics and sport doesn’t mix, it’s not true. Everybody knows he will be publicly seen on the ice. They will celebrate him and it will cost many lives,” said Hasek. “Calgary Flames fans, and all the fans around the world, you have to decide what is more (important). Is it the quality of the game or is people’s lives?”
