Canadians continue to play with teams from Russia and Belarus in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) despite warnings from the Government of Canada to leave those two countries.
With 48 players on KHL rosters this season, Canada has the largest representation of any country except Russia.
Forty-four of those Canadians play with teams located within the borders of Russia and Belarus, while the other four play in Kazakhstan.
Russia, with the support of Belarus, invaded Ukraine on February 24.
In this conflict, Canada has clearly demonstrated its support for Ukraine with financial contributions of $626 million in military aid and more than $320 million in humanitarian assistance since February.
Canada has also imposed financial sanctions on Russia and Belarus.
“The President’s War [Vladimir] Putin in Ukraine is a war [dont l’enjeu, pour l’Ukraine, est] freedom, […] democracy and […] the rights of Ukrainians, and all peoples, to determine their own future,” wrote Adrien Blanchard, press secretary to Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, in a statement emailed to The Canadian Press.
“As Canadians, these are values we hold dearly. Athletes who decide to play and associate with Russia and Belarus should explain their decision to the people. »
Ritchie Winter, an Alberta bargaining agent with three KHL clients, believes players have the right to earn a living in their profession as do other Canadians working in foreign countries.
“We live in a world where individuals have the right to make these decisions. It’s just an individual decision related to a job opportunity, Winter noted. Did all the players who left struggle with the decision? Yes, absolutely.
“At the end of the day, they are husbands and fathers who have responsibilities towards their families. If you are a young family with limited resources because you mostly played in the minor leagues, there is a desire to take care of your family. Sometimes it leads people to the oil fields of Kazakhstan and sometimes it leads them to the KHL. »
In a statement sent to The Canadian Press, the Department of Global Affairs Canada said that advisories not to travel to Russia and Belarus were issued on March 5 and February 24, respectively.
“Our government has been very clear. Canadians should avoid all travel to Russia and Belarus, Blanchard said. If they are in Russia or Belarus, they should leave now. Our ability to provide consular services could become extremely limited. »
Dozens of Canadians play in men’s professional hockey leagues in Europe every year. Top KHL players can earn more than US$1 million a year.
The Canadian Press has sent messages to nine Canadian players who play in the KHL to find out if the league and their team have provided them with assurances related to their personal safety. None responded.
“There were a number of players caught in the crosshairs last year when all this happened. They stayed and saw no risk,” Winter said.
“From what the players tell me, the environment hasn’t changed from what it was before. Many of them assessed that risk and determined that they would play there. »
Winter also knows players who have turned down opportunities to play in the KHL this season.
“Everyone has a different risk profile,” he noted. I’ve had clients from Canada and the United States turn down gigantic amounts of money compared to what they’ll earn here. »
There were 53 Canadians in the KHL last season. Seven played for Dynamo Riga, Latvia, a team that left the league, as did Finnish outfit Jokerit in Helsinki.
“I obviously don’t support the current war,” said forward Jake Virtanen, who is enjoying a tryout with the Edmonton Oilers after playing 36 games with Spartak Moscow last season.
“That’s one of the main reasons I left. It is a difficult situation. Personally, I wouldn’t go back because of that. »