Ukrainian Canadian Congress demands HHOF to refuse entry to Pavel Datsyuk

The legendary 2001-02 Detroit Red Wing squad that boasted nine Hall of Fame players recently announced that Pavel Datsyuk, who was only a young rookie on that team, would become the 10th member of that squad to earn his place in the Hall.

However, this decision has faced vocal criticism due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began in early 2022. Former Detroit goaltender Dominik Hasek has been one of the most outspoken critics of Russian athletes, both past and present, who haven't openly denounced Russian President Vladimir Putin. Hasek even called on the NHL to ban all Russian players from participating in the league.

And now, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress is speaking out, saying that Datsyuk should't be allowed into the Hall or even into the country of Canada for the ceremony. 

“In February 2024, Pavel Datsyuk attended an event to honor members of the Russian Armed Forces who participated in Russia’s genocidal war against Ukraine,” they wrote on social media. “He should not be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame or allowed entry into Canada.”

“Our question . . . is whether the Hockey Hall of Fame deems it appropriate to honor an individual who (through his apparent attendance at an event that honoured ‘veterans’ of the very Armed Forces committing these crimes) signals his support for the genoicde Russia is committing against the Ukrainian people."

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