Hockey: Former NHL goalie Dominik Hasek dealing with Russian threats

Czech political leaders have strongly denounced alarming threats made against legendary NHL goaltender Dominik Hasek by Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian president and prime minister who now serves as deputy head of Russia’s Security Council. The threats stem from Hasek’s outspoken opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and his continued criticism of Russian athletes participating in international sports events, including the NHL.

Medvedev’s remarks, conveyed through his assistant and published by the Russian state-run TASS news agency, accused Hasek of harboring “Russophobia.” He went so far as to suggest that Hasek should be cautious while crossing streets and avoid drinking beer in unfamiliar locations—thinly veiled threats that sparked immediate backlash in the Czech Republic. Medvedev also mocked Hasek’s mental health, advising him to consult a psychiatrist, and disturbingly implied that suicide was a likely outcome for the former hockey star.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala responded to the threats on social media, calling them “absolutely unacceptable.” He emphasized that while such behavior from Medvedev may not be surprising, it should not be disregarded due to Medvedev’s prominent public role within the Russian government. “This is not a private citizen making a reckless comment,” Fiala noted. “This is a senior figure within Putin’s regime making threats that cannot be ignored.”

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský was even more direct in his condemnation. “Medvedev is once again behaving like a primitive,” Lipavský stated. “This time he’s targeting NHL legend Dominik Hasek simply for telling the truth—the truth about Russia’s war on Ukraine and the exploitation of sport as a propaganda tool. Intimidation like this might be routine in Putin’s Russia, but it has no place in the civilized world.”

Hasek has consistently voiced opposition to the war in Ukraine and has advocated for the exclusion of Russian athletes from international competitions, arguing that their participation only serves to normalize the aggression and contribute to ongoing human suffering. He has been particularly critical of the NHL’s decision to allow Russian players, including star forward Alex Ovechkin, to continue competing. Hasek recently expressed dismay that the league permitted Ovechkin to approach and potentially surpass Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record, framing it as symbolic of the sport’s complicity in ignoring the broader conflict.

Following Medvedev’s remarks, Hasek notified the International Olympic Committee and the International Ice Hockey Federation, asserting that he had been directly threatened by a high-ranking Russian official. In a statement, he wrote, “Former Russian President Medvedev threatened to kill me.”

Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan assured the public that the safety of Dominik Hasek would be a top priority, stating that appropriate security measures will be taken if necessary to protect him from any credible threats.

Reno Silva/MS