NHL suspends business, social and digital media ties with Russia after invasion of Ukraine

NHL suspends business, social and digital media ties with Russia after invasion of Ukraine

NHL

The National Hockey League (NHL) has decided to suspend its business relationships in Russia in wake of the country’s invasion of Ukraine. This includes putting the Russian language social and digital media sites on a halt.

The NHL also condemned the act of invasion by the Russian army on their neighbouring country. However, they have restrained from banning any Russian native to participate in the hockey league.

Earlier, the likes of Wayne Gretzky and Dominik Hasek had appealed for a suspension of the Russian players in the NHL as well as the rescheduled World Juniors after the attack on Ukraine.

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Hasek stated: “The NHL must immediately suspend contracts for all Russian players! Every athlete represents not only himself and his club, but also his country and its values and actions. That is a fact. If the NHL does not do so, it has indirect co-responsibility for the dead in Ukraine.”

“I think international hockey should say we are not going to let them (Russia) play in the World Juniors hockey tournament,” Gretzky said.

“I think we as Canadians need to take that stance since the games are going to be played in Edmonton.”

NHL’s official statement on Ukraine-Russia crisis

“The National Hockey League condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and urges a peaceful resolution as quickly as possible. Effective immediately, we are suspending our relationships with our business partners in Russia and we are pausing our Russian language social and digital media sites. In addition, we are discontinuing any consideration of Russia as a location for any future competitions involving the NHL,” a statement read.

“We also remain concerned about the well-being of the players from Russia, who play in the NHL on behalf of their NHL Clubs, and not on behalf of Russia. We understand they and their families are being placed in an extremely difficult position.”

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