Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump expressed interest in the idea of organizing hockey matches between American and Russian players during a recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as stated in a Kremlin report about the conversation. The proposal was brought up amidst discussions surrounding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The concept of arranging hockey games between players from the NHL and the KHL in both the United States and Russia received President Trump’s support during the call. This exchange took place in the midst of tensions between Russia and Ukraine, leading to consequences for Russian and Belarusian teams in international ice hockey competitions.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the International Ice Hockey Federation decided to ban Russia and Belarus from participating in any international tournaments. This ban has now been extended through the 2025-26 season, encompassing events like the upcoming Olympics in Italy.
The NHL refrained from commenting on the conversation between the two presidents, stating that they were not involved in the discussions. The league also emphasized that it would be improper for them to offer any remarks without more context or information on the matter.
In light of the strained relations resulting from the conflict, the NHL has severed ties with the KHL and terminated its broadcast agreement with Russian television networks. This move underlines the league’s commitment to distancing itself from Russian entities amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Despite the banishment of Russian and Belarusian teams from official competitions, a possible scenario for them to participate in the Olympics will ultimately rest with the International Olympic Committee. The IIHF’s decision to uphold the ban was motivated by security concerns, emphasizing the complexities and ripples of the conflict on the sporting world.
Historically, the NHL and KHL have engaged in exhibition games, fostering a relationship through these matchups. However, the current climate of political and military unrest has led to a stark shift in the dynamics between the two prominent hockey leagues.