Canadiens executive says he has ‘no concern’ about members of the front office traveling to Russia
DETROIT –
Montreal executive vice president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton has expressed confidence in the Canadiens’ front office members traveling to Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes, scout Nick Bobrov, and special adviser Vincent Lecavalier have attracted attention for their recent trip to Russia to visit first-round draft pick Ivan Demidov of SKA Saint Petersburg in the KHL.
Gorton clarified that the purpose of the trip is solely for scouting purposes.
“We have prospects scattered across the globe, and once we draft or sign a player, they become part of our family. It is important for us to visit them, watch them play, and provide feedback on their performance. This trip is part of Kent’s scouting duties,” he explained.
It is worth noting that Russia and Belarus have been excluded from participating in International Ice Hockey Federation events following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with the ban extending until at least 2024-25. The NHL also opted to exclude Russia from the recent 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, despite its historical significance in the hockey world.
Both the Canadian and U.S. governments have issued travel advisories warning against visiting Russia due to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine and the associated risks of terrorism and security concerns.
Gorton reassured that Hughes’ trip is brief and focused on evaluating multiple players within the organization. “It’s a short trip, he’ll be back soon. This is an opportunity for Kent to assess more than one of our players over there,” he added.
