Vladimir Putin has appeared several times during ice hockey exhibition matches. According to Expressen newspaper, the powerful president scored eight goals in an exhibition match in 2021.
Mikhail Sergachev (25 years old) plays for the Tampa Bay Lightning NHL club. In an interview with Russian journalist Ksenia Sobzhtak, he spoke candidly about how the 71-year-old handles the club and puck.
-He’s old and belongs to the older generation, but considering the limited time he has, he’s very good at hockey. I think he’s in good shape, says the NHL pro Express.
Putin has taken to lacing his shoes during the annual Night Hockey League festival. The celebratory match usually consists of former players, oligarchs and politicians, but during last year’s match he was conspicuous by his absence.
He said in a video greeting:
– I wish you success in the match on the ice and all the best. As they say: May the best team win.
Sergeychev – who has played in more than 400 NHL games – says in the interview that few people would dare slap Putin in the face.
Duel: Mikhail Sergachev in a duel with Mats Zuccarello in 2018 when Zuccarello played for the New York Rangers. Photograph: Chris O’Meara/AP/NTP
Show more
– It seems they just let him register. It is clear that the opponents do not want to push, hit or even touch the president.
The Tampa Bay Lightning play their NHL opener on Tuesday night. The Nashville Predators are the opponent.
In the National Hockey League, all Russian players were awarded players despite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Star Alexander Ovechkin has been criticized for his close ties with President Vladimir Putin, while Flames defender Nikita Zadorov has openly criticized the war and refused to return to his native Russia.
– What’s happening is disgusting. Should I go home and go out to eat in a Moscow restaurant when people are being bombed? He said in an interview that it would be embarrassing.
“Coffee trailblazer. Certified pop culture lover. Infuriatingly humble gamer.”
