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

Whereas a number of worldwide sports activities federations have answered international calls to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, one Ukrainian-born NHL agent believes the overwhelming anger and concern felt by many is being wrongly directed at gamers he calls “contributing members of society” who share their view of the conflict. 

Dan Milstein, who represents many of the NHL’s Russian-born gamers, advised Fox Information Digital in a telephone interview that a number of of his shoppers have been focused for the reason that assault on Ukraine started. He defined that whereas they don’t help the conflict, lots of them can’t communicate out on it due to concern of retribution. 

“What’s unlucky for my shoppers is that the exact same individuals who had been going to call their children after my shoppers are these ones wishing them loss of life 5 seconds later,” he mentioned. “I’m towards the conflict and I would like peace. My childhood dwelling in Kyiv is being focused proper now. However, on the similar time, these guys which can be skilled hockey gamers. … They’re contributing members of society.”

“The exact same individuals who had been going to call their children after my shoppers are these ones wishing them loss of life 5 seconds later.”

— Dan Milstein, NHL participant agent

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Milstein was born in Kyiv however got here to the US at 16 as a political refugee in 1991. He has a singular understanding of the scenario. He says he has personally been focused since defending his shoppers in an interview final week with ESPN. 

‘Individuals don’t know my historical past’

“I’ve been a giant goal as a result of I communicate up and other people don’t know my historical past being a political refugee who escaped the Soviet Union on the final day of its existence,” he advised Fox Information Digital. “Individuals both don’t know the reality – or don’t appear to – or don’t know my story or do not appear to care an excessive amount of about it.”

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Milstein’s checklist of shoppers contains NHL stars just like the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov and Andrei Vasilevskiy and former Detroit Crimson Wings heart Pavel Datsyuk, who most not too long ago performed within the KHL. 

Milstein mentioned he finds irony behind the latest assaults on his shoppers that come amid a concentrate on psychological well being.

“The exact same folks which can be involved with posting the once-a-year hashtag on Twitter as a result of it’s part of our cultural acceptance, these are the exact same folks which can be destroying psychological well being for hockey gamers, their households and all people else [involved],” he mentioned, referring to Bell Let’s Speak Day, a Canadian-based initiative centered on bringing consciousness to psychological well being sicknesses.  

Just like his shoppers, Milstein mentioned there are those that will not communicate out regardless of sharing his view.

‘Afraid for their very own lives’

“Behind closed doorways, I’m getting help from many sports activities executives in numerous leagues, however they’re telling me that they’ll’t publicly communicate as a result of they’d be afraid for their very own lives, and other people might be calling for his or her jobs too.”

Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning towards the Pittsburgh Penguins through the second interval at Amalie Area March 3, 2022 
(Getty Pictures)

The NHL launched an announcement final week condemning Russia’s unprovoked assaults on Ukraine. However, amid a world motion to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from worldwide competitors, the league stood agency behind its gamers. 

“The Nationwide Hockey League condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and urges a peaceable decision as shortly as attainable,” the assertion mentioned. “Efficient instantly, we’re suspending {our relationships} with our enterprise companions in Russia, and we’re pausing our Russian language social and digital media websites. As well as, we’re discontinuing any consideration of Russia as a location for any future competitions involving the NHL.

“We additionally stay involved in regards to the well-being of the gamers from Russia who play within the NHL on behalf of their NHL Golf equipment and never on behalf of Russia. We perceive they and their households are being positioned in a particularly tough place.”

Overwhelming help

Milstein echoed that sentiment, including that his shoppers have obtained overwhelming help from their teammates and the league in its entirety. 

“They really feel super help from their teammates. The NHL, NHLPA and groups have achieved a fantastic job supporting and providing additional safety and counseling when wanted,” Milstein added. 

“The Nationwide Hockey League is the league the place one of the best gamers from everywhere in the world are taking part in the sport. … They characterize the person golf equipment and the NHL. … They do not characterize their international locations.”

“The Nationwide Hockey League is the league the place one of the best gamers from everywhere in the world are taking part in the sport. … They characterize the person golf equipment and the NHL. … They do not characterize their international locations.”

— Dan Milstein, NHL participant agent

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals appears on towards the Ottawa Senators through the second interval of a recreation at Capital One Area Feb. 13, 2022, in Washington, D.C. 
(Getty Pictures)

Talking for himself and the gamers he represents, Milstein reiterated his requires an finish to the battle. 

“My shoppers need world peace,” he advised Fox Information Digital. “I don’t help the conflict, none of my shoppers do. We wish peace and it’s extremely unlucky. I remorse what I’m seeing taking place to the nation the place I’m from and the place I lived for 16 years of my life.”