Detroit Red Wings Hall of Fame defenseman Viacheslav Fetisov has a message for NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly. And that message is mind your own business.

Asked by reporters about Russia’s chances of being reinstated in time to participate in the 2026 Winter Olympic hockey tournament, Daly was appearing to suggest that door was already shut and the case closed.

“The Summer Olympics, (the IOC) did not allow Russian team participation, unlike some of the other models that they’ve adopted in the past,” Daly said.

“I would expect that same rule will apply to the Winter Olympics in ’26.”

Two -time Soviet League player of the year, Slava Fetisov. pic.twitter.com/9QN23QlmRh

— The Hockey Samurai 侍 (@hockey_samurai) April 20, 2024

Fetisov, a member of the Russian State Duma and a former Russian Minister of Sport, didn’t think much of Daly’s assessment.

“What does Bill Daly have to do with the Olympic movement?,” Fetisov told Russian news agency Tass. “Does he run the International Olympic Committee?”

“And if he thinks so, then what do our hockey players play for him? Bill, deal with internal affairs, you have other things to do.”

Fetisov Three-Time Olympian

While dozens of Russians play in the NHL, Russia won’t be participating in next season’s Four Nations tournament. That event will feature Canada, the USA, Sweden and Finland. The NHL will pause the season in February for the tourney.

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly speaks on Russia not being included in the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Face-Off. pic.twitter.com/dhdgqtprcK

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 2, 2024

Russia was banned by the IIHF following the country’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine. If the Russians aren’t cleared to participate in the next Olympiad, France will take their place in the men’s hockey tournament.

The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Opening ceremonies are slated for February 6, 2026.

A two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Red Wings (1996-97, 1997-98) and one of Detroit’s famed Russian Five, Fetisov also won two Olympic gold and one silver medal.

He’s a member of both the Hockey Hall of Fame and IIHF Hall of Fame. Fetisov was named to the IIHF Centennial All-Star Team. He’s also among the members of the Triple Gold Club. That is people who’ve won the Stanley Cup, World Championship and an Olympic gold medal.

However, due to his Russian political affiliations, Fetisov is on a list of Russian people who are banned from traveling to the USA and Canada.

The post Former Red Wings Star Blasts NHL Deputy Commissioner appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

It didn’t take former Detroit Red Wings goalie Dominik Hasek long to respond to critcism of the International Olympic Committee from fellow former Red Wings player Viacheslav Fetisov.

Hasek was taking Fetisov to task over the latter’s complaints about Russia’s continuing exclusion from the Olympic movement.

“The status that we are offered, almost like refugees, is a humiliating story,” Fetisov was telling Russian website sports.ru. “Of course, everyone can make their own decision, they can live with it … But today, I think we should be there with a flag and an anthem.”

Fetisov is a deputy of the Russian Duma. Generating his anger are suggestions that Russian athletes may only be participating in the Olympic Games if they are competing under an independent banner.

Stop lying! They are citizens of andand represent the actions of their country. That is aggressive war,killings and crimes,including genocide.Because they can play in tournaments many moreanddie.The WTA bears full responsibility for this and will pay billions of $ to https://t.co/eZBPeR6mm3

— Dominik Hasek (@hasek_dominik) July 28, 2023

This is a proposal that Hasek was putting forth. Recently, the European Parliament was granting the legendary Czech goalie the chance to be addressing them in Strasbourg, France. Hasek is of the opinion that Russian athletes should only be eligible for participation in international sporting competitions if they are renouncing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Hasek’s response to Fetisov’s denouncing of his suggestion was straightforward and to the point.

“If you have anyone to blame, then blame youself,” Hasek posted on his social media in responding to Fetisov.

Legendary Red Wings At Odds Over Russian Invasion Of Ukraine

Hasek recently visited war-torn Ukraine, which Russia invaded in February. He was encouraging Russian athletes to speak out against the war. At the same time, he understood why many might be relucant to do so.

“We know very well that any Russian who is condemning the war and (Russian president Vladimir) Putin’s actions will not only face bullying but will probably be going to court and be facing conviction,” Hasek said.

[bet-promo id=”4006″ ]

Fetisov downplayed Hasek’s suggestion, criticizing his fellow Hockey Hall of Famer, and pointing out that at one time, Hasek was playing pro hockey in the KHL for Mosow Spartak.

“Dominik himself played with us, if I’m not mistaken, and he received a good salary for this,” Fetisov told Athletistic.com. “Why does he deny others the opportunity to play and earn money? It’s kind of nonsense. Let him return the money he earned here, then everything will be fair.”

The post Red Wings Legends Hasek, Fetisov At It Again appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Earlier this week, legendary former Detroit Red Wings defenseman Viacheslav Fetisov was aiming his virtiol at former Detroit goalie Dominik Hasek. Now, he is setting the sites of his verbal barrage directly at the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Fetisov is a deputy of the Russian Duma. Generating his anger are suggestions that Russian athletes may only be given permission to be involved in competion in the Olympic Games if they are competing under an independent banner.

The Russian Five in profile. l-r Slava Fetisov, Sergei Fedorov, Vladimir Konstantinov, Slava Kozlov, and Igor Larionov pic.twitter.com/zggzuHxlZK

— Jen (@NHLhistorygirl) July 8, 2023

“The status that we are offered, almost like refugees, is a humiliating story,” Fetisov told Russian website sports.ru. “Of course, everyone can make their own decision, they can live with it … But today, I think we should be there with a flag and an anthem.”

This is a proposal that Hasek was putting forth. Recently, the European Parliament was granting the legendary Czech goalie the chance to be addressing them in Strasbourg, France. Hasek is of the opinion that Russian athletes should only be given permission to be eligible for participation in international sporting competitions if they are renouncing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

A number of Members of the European Parliament (MEP) later were expressing that they were in agreement with Hasek’s proposal. This is just one of the issues that Fetisov is speaking out against.

Fetisov Says Russian Athletes Are Victims Of Brainwashing

Known as Papa Bear, Fetisov is a winner of two Stanley Cup championships during his time with the Red Wings. He was also earning enshrinement into the Hockey Hall of Fame, Fetisov believes that Russian athlete are facing manipulation from the international sports community.

“They brainwash us,” Fetisov said.

He wonders how Russians will be eligible to compete in the Olympic Games at this late stage. Qualifying events are taking place right now, or have already taken place. Bans are preventing Russian athletes for events from taking part in any of these events.

[bet-promo id=”4006″ ]

“Now there are qualifying starts, but we do not participate in them,” Fetisov said. “How will they let us into the Games? If they have reserved places for us, what will they say later?

“The selection is underway, in many sports it is already over. Artistic gymnastics, there is also one competition left. How will they allow Russian athletes? They powder our brains.”

The post Red Wings Legend Fetisov Taking Aim At IOC appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Dominik Hasek and Viachelsav Fetisov are two legendary former Detroit Red Wings. Both were multiple Stanley Cup champions in Detroit and each is enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

When it comes to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, these two famous hockey stars share absolutely nothing in common.

Hasek was recently invited to Strasbourg, France. There, he was given the chance to speak to the European Parliament about the Russia-Ukraine war.

After our great meeting in Strasbourg this week, the hockey legend Dominik Hasek and I are totally on the same page – as long as the barbaric onslaught against #Ukraine continues, this is no time for #OlympicGames and friendly competition with the aggressors #Russia and #Belarus. pic.twitter.com/SmvEaiHVNP

— Sandra Kalniete (@Kalniete) July 13, 2023

The ex-Detroit goalie offered the suggestion that Russian athletes be given some form of asylum by other nations if they are willing to condemn their country’s attack on Ukraine.

“In the current situation, every Russian athlete is an advertisement for the Russian war,” Czech website isport.blesk.cz is reporting Hasek telling journalists following his address. “It doesn’t matter at all if he internally disagrees with it, or on the contrary supports (Russian leader Vladimir) Putin.”

Hasek, who has visited Ukraine to see the conditions in the war-torn nation, believes that offering something similar to refugee status is the only way to protect the safety of these Russian athletes.

“We know very well that any Russian who condemns the war and Putin’s actions will not only be bullied but will probably go to court and be convicted,” Hasek said, believing that making a public anti-war declaration would open the door for Russians to return to international sporting competition, perhaps as part of a refugee team.

Fetisov Critical Of Hasek

A deputy of the Russian State Douma, former defenseman Fetisov is also a stout defender of Putin and Russia’s military action against Ukraine. He was quick to counter Hasek’s EU address. He was quck to be pointing to the fact that at one point during his playing days Hasek was earning a living in Russia. During the 2010-11 season, Hasek was tending goal for Moscow Spartak of the KHL.

[bet-promo id=”4006″ ]

“Dominik himself played with us, if I’m not mistaken, and he received a good salary for this,” Fetisov told Athletistic.com. Why does he deny others the opportunity to play and earn money It’s kind of nonsense. Let him return the money he earned here, then everything will be fair.”

The post Hasek, Fetisov Throw Down; War of Words Between Former Red Wings Over Russian War appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The International Ice Hockey Federation is confirming the exclusion of Russia and Belarus from all sanctioned international hockey events for the 2023-24 season and former Detroit Red Wings defenseman Viacheslav Fetisov is calling this a crime against hockey.

Fetisov is currently a member of the upper house of the Russian Federal Assembly. Formerly the country’s Minister Of Sport, his work was instrumental in Sochi, Russia gaining host city status for the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Slava Fetisov on Ovechkin:
"He represents Putin Team, he wears its merchandise. So he represents our country, our hockey and the current situation (the war). He wasn't afraid, didn't shrink away, didn't change his position. This commands respect."https://t.co/FkYrdvT9P7

— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) May 19, 2023

Lately, though, Fetisov has been outspoken in his criticism of Russian bans from international sporting events since the country invaded Ukraine in 2022.

“For me, there is no World Hockey Championship,” Fetisov told Sport-Express.ru. “I believe that it is a crime to show it in our country, and also to discuss its results. The topic is closed for me.

“It’s a crime to discuss the World Cup. When you don’t respect yourself, no one will respect you.”

Fetisov Owns Impeccable Hockey Resume

In the NHL, Fetisov was part of Detroit’s famed Russian Five. He won successive Stanley Cup titles with the Red Wings in 1996-97 and 1997-98. The Russian star was earning enshrinement in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001. Fetisov is also a member of the Triple Gold Club, having won multiple Stanley Cup, World Championship and Olympic titles. He’s among a select group of eight players to win all of those championships, as well as World Junior and Canada/World Cup titles.

Fetisov was named to the IIHF Centennial All-Star Team in 2008. Of late, however, the only international acclaim coming Fetisov’s way is criticism and expulsion due to his support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

[bet-promo id=”4006″ ]
Last year, the Canadian and US governments were moving to  ban Fetisov from entry into North America. The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) includes Fetison on a list of Russians facing sanctions over the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. Fetisov is among 328 members of the Duma, the Russian parliament, who were given this ban.

The ban prevented him from attending this season’s anniversary celebrations of Detroit’s 1996-97 and 1997-98 Stanley Cup teams.

The post Former Red Wings Defenseman Fetisov Blasts IIHF appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Viacheslav Fetisov was once welcomed with open arms. He was a beloved figure to Detroit Red Wings fans. Papa Bear was a hero in Hockeytown, a member of the famed Russian Five.

Today, he is a member of the Russian 328, meaning he is persona non grata in the USA.

Thursday saw the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) releasing a new list of Russians who were being sanctioned over the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. On that list were 328 members of the Duma, the Russian parliament.

Reading though the alphabetical list of those being sanctioned by the USA, this entry appears:

FETISOV, Vyacheslav (Cyrillic: ФЕТИСОВ, Вячеслав), Russia; DOB 20 Apr 1958; nationality Russia; Gender Male; Member of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation (individual) [RUSSIA-EO14024].

Fetisov is a member of the Russian Duma.

US and European allies sanction 300 members of the Russian Duma, 40 Russian defense companies https://t.co/shncpLEqVd

— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) March 24, 2022

“These members supported the Kremlin’s violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, including through treaties recognizing the self-proclaimed independence of Russian-proxy controlled areas of eastern Ukraine, the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) and Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR),” US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said in a statement announcing the sanctions against the Duma members.

Fetisov Helped Free Soviet Stars

Back in the late 1980s, it was Fetisov and Russian teammate and future Red Wings teammate Igor Larionov who went to battle with the oppressive Soviet system. They literally were risking their future. Both were opting to challenge to the government of the Soviet Union. Their goal was to free the country’s hockey stars to play in the NHL. As a result, both were removed from the national team. Consequently, they were basically placed under house arrest.

Fetisov was fighting 30 years ago for his right to play in the NHL and he challenged a totalitarian system. Just like others (Tretiak, who retired to protest when he was not let go) Fetisov has become part of the system. https://t.co/Ohn8gfRFmB

— Szymon Szemberg (@Sz1909_Szemberg) March 24, 2022

“Every time there was a knock at the door, you were afraid it was KGB, coming to take you away,” Fetisov once explained.

Most importantly, they won their battle. Their risk ended up paving the way for Russian stars to suit up for NHL teams.

Helping the Wings win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1996-97 and 1997-98, Fetisov gained legendary status. He was able to return from injuries suffered in a 1997 limousine crash. That same crash ended the career of his defense partner Vladimir Konstantinov.

What Do Sanctions Mean?

Firstly, the sanctions mean that Fetisov is inadmissable to the United States. Secondly, the sanctions also impose an asset freeze and dealings prohibition. There is a prohibition on any person in the USA and any American outside the USA to:

• Deal in any property, wherever situated, held by or on behalf of the designated person

• Enter into or facilitate, directly or indirectly, any transaction related to such a dealing
• Provide any financial or other related services in respect of such a dealing
• Make any goods, wherever situated, available to the designated person
• Provide any financial or related service to, or for the benefit of the designated person

[bet-promo id=”1844″ ]

Moreover, Fetisov is also facing similar sanctions from Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union.

The post Former Red Wings Star Fetisov Facing Sanctions Over Ukraine War appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.