In early summer, at the suggestion of the Czech Ministry of Sports, the local cabinet of ministers agreed to ban Russian athletes and sports teams from participating in competitions in the country. In addition, athletes and teams representing the Czech Republic were prohibited from competing in tournaments on the territory of the Russian Federation.
However, even all sorts of bans and political speculation on the topic of Russia and its place in the world sports economy did not affect Czech hockey players. Despite all the difficulties and the incomprehensible excommunication from the national team from a sports point of view (probably forever), the players continue to play in the KHL, citing the fact that no sports or ministerial official can influence their choice in terms of to continue playing. career.
More recently, defender Lukasz Klok returned to the KHL, or rather, to Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. In the 2021/22 season, the Czech was one of the leaders in the defense of the Tatarstan club, but the political situation forced him to abandon his career in the KHL. Two years have passed, and Klok will once again delight the fans of the Nizhnekamsk club. But, in his story, not everything is so simple. For example, due to this unpopular decision at home, Klok has already lost the opportunity to represent his team in international tournaments and has also experienced public pressure.
“Of course, not everyone was happy about it. But this is my life. I signed a new contract for two years, but the club understood the difficult situation and let me go in the spring of 2022. I gave my word that if I return to the KHL, then only to Neftekhimik. People in the Czech Republic read the newspapers and condemn, but this is my decision. My family accepted it and understood me. I just want to play at the highest level and enjoy my favorite thing,” said Lukash Klok in an interview with SE.
HC “Neftekhimik”
Another example is quite recent. The transition of the Czech hockey player with Russian roots Ostap Safin to Togliatti Lada. Safin is a young, bulky and talented striker who has already played for the leaders of the Czech Extra League and several North American teams. There were not enough stars from the sky, but he is in the composition of the newcomer to the KHL who could well light up in the season starting in September. Unlike the same Klok, Ostap already had dual citizenship at the time of signing the contract with Lada and, most likely, will not be subject to a conviction like Tomash. There is not only a financial component here, but also extensive family ties in Russia.
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The most striking example of how a Czech hockey star not only does not give up a career in Russia, but also calmly renews his contracts in the KHL is Dmitry Yashkin. And here we can definitely say that the national team of the Czech Republic, due to stupid laws in the person of Yashkin, lost one of its leaders. Back in the winter of this year, Alois Gadamchik, president of the Czech Hockey Federation, spoke reproachfully against the newly formed striker from Kazan Ak Bars:
“If Yashkin decided to commit such an act, this is his business. He also has Russian citizenship and has decided on his person. Whether his conscience allows him to do this is his business. We can only decide that person cannot represent our country at this time.”
Dmitry himself answered the following:
“I have already been banned from playing for the Czech national team. It’s not my decision, I didn’t make it. I can not do anything about it. I intend to play in Russia.”
HC “Ak Bars”
But the most concise about his desire to continue his career in the KHL was another former collector from the Czech Republic, and now Omsk Avangard defender Libor Szulak.
“Arrivals are associated with a high level of hockey and high salaries. Yes, I liked playing here, and I will perform where I please and feel good. I play hockey here, I do my job, I feed my family.”
HC “Vanguard”
Of course, one should not dream that athletes from the Czech Republic come to Russia solely for the higher level of the KHL in comparison with other European leagues. Fortunately, despite all the difficulties, even now the Russian league has much more financial resources than other continental championships. It is this factor that is at the root of the performance of Czech hockey players. Otherwise, no matter how much the former goalkeeper of the national team Dominik Hasek scolded his compatriots, the path to the KHL will not grow too long for them.
