Kirill Kaprizov advocates for Russia's return to international hockey

Minnesota Wild star and NHL goal leader Kirill Kaprizov has expressed support for Russia's return to international ice hockey competitions. Following a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Kaprizov stated that it is a “great thing” because every player wants to represent their country.

During a recent interaction with a journalist, Kaprizov became visibly upset when questioned about Russia's eligibility in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine. He asserted, “We do not talk about politics. This is sport,” and declined further discussion on the matter. A representative for the Minnesota Wild noted that the player felt uncomfortable during the exchange and requested that future inquiries focus solely on hockey.

Despite his comments, several nations, including Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Czechia, Latvia, and Austria, have expressed opposition to playing against Russian teams. Canada has also declined to participate in matchups against Russia at the junior level.