'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Hockey Hall of Famer Dominik Hasek, who played 16 seasons in the NHL for the likes of the Chicago Blackhawks and the Buffalo Sabres, criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Hasek responded to a post that compared Joseph Stalin and Putin, accusing the latter of causing many deaths in the 21st century. Hasek tweeted that he's unsure about Stalin’s record but blamed Putin for genocide:
"I'm not 100% sure about the first one, Hitler is definitely hot on his heels there. But the other one drives perfectly safely. It is important to help Ukraine as much as possible so that Russia stops and Putin does not continue his genocide. A criminal like him belongs in the Hague to make our life safer."
Earlier in July, Hasek called for Russian and Belarusian athletes to publicly condemn the war in Ukraine if they wanted to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
He argued that allowing them to participate without condemning the war would support Russia’s aggression. Hasek criticized the International Olympic Committee for letting these athletes compete as neutrals, saying that it would be like supplying Russia with military equipment.
“Everybody knows where those athletes are from,” Hasek said in July to AP, ”They would represent the aggressive, imperialistic war and the crimes and killings linked to it.”
Hasek believes that sports organizations should take a strong stand against the war and support Ukraine in any way they can.
Dominik Hasek's unique style and key NHL achievements
Dominik Hasek was among the NHL’s top goalies due to his unique style and important achievements. During his peak years, he led the league in save percentage for six seasons. His remarkable reflexes and agility were evident.
Hasek's influence also reached the 1998 Olympics. He helped the Czech Republic win gold, outplaying Canadian goalie Patrick Roy in a key shootout and shutting out Russia in the final.
Although his teams weren’t as dominant as those of his peers, Hasek's individual skills stood out. He won the Vezina Trophy six times and the Hart Trophy twice.
Even with a shorter career than Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy, Dominik Hasek's unique style and clutch performances make him one of the greatest goalies in hockey history.
