“Attacked for simply speaking the truth”: Czech officials defend former NHL legend Dominik Hasek after threatening comments by Russian official Dmitry Medvedev

In a show of unity, the Czech Republic's top leaders have condemned threatening statements made by Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia Dmitry Medvedev against former NHL legend Dominik Hasek. Famous around the world for his legendary goaltending, Dominik Hasek has long been vocal about Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the participation of Russian athletes in international competitions, including the National Hockey League (NHL).
Dmitry Medvedev, formerly both President and Prime Minister of Russia, made a series of personal insults against Dominik Hasek through an aide earlier this week. The remarks were circulated via the Russian state media agency TASS and comprised implied threats indicating Hasek ‘should watch the road’ and take care over his drink of choice. The comments went further, with Dmitry Medvedev suggesting Hasek needs to be taken to a psychiatrist and even hinting at the possibility of his suicide.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala was not shy in his reaction. On X, he termed the threats ‘absolutely unacceptable’ and pointed out that they have to be taken seriously, considering Medvedev's high-profile status in Russian politics.
Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský also criticized the rhetoric, calling Dmitry Medvedev's statements ‘primitive behavior’. He emphasized that insulting Dominik Hasek, a widely respected icon of Czech sport and international hockey, was a bid to shut down truth-telling. “Medvedev is once again behaving as a primitive,” Jan Lipavský said on Wednesday. “This time attacking NHL legend Dominik Hasek simply for speaking the truth — the truth about Russia’s war and the misuse of sports in promoting it. Such intimidation may be normal in Putin’s Russia, not in the civilized world!”
Dominik Hasek was a vocal protester of Russian players participating in international competition many years ago, and he criticized the NHL itself recently for not stopping Russian players such as Alexander Ovechkin from competing when there is war in Ukraine.
In an official communication, Dominik Hasek reached out to the International Olympic Committee and the International Ice Hockey Federation to alert them to Medvedev’s comments, referring to them as direct threats to his safety.
Also read: “You made the hockey world proud”: Janet Jones recalls Wayne Gretzky's locker room speech before USA-CanaAs tensions rise, Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan assured citizens that the ex-hockey great will be provided with protection if necessary. Dominik Hasek's courage in speaking out, in the face of threats, continues to draw attention to the political misuse of sport and the global ramifications of the war in Ukraine.