Trump, Putin discuss U.S.-Russia hockey series during call, Kremlin says

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin recently discussed the possibility of organizing a series of hockey games between players from their respective countries during a phone call on Tuesday. According to the Kremlin, Putin suggested staging games in both the U.S. and Russia involving players from the NHL and the KHL. Trump reportedly supported this idea and agreed to stay in touch with Putin on all issues raised during the call, which was initially scheduled to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

While the White House did not mention the hockey discussions in their report of the call, the NHL only became aware of the proposal after the fact. In response, the NHL stated that they were not involved in the discussions and refrained from making any comments at that time. Similarly, USA Hockey did not immediately respond to requests for comments on the matter.

This isn’t the first time Trump has shown an interest in hockey, as he previously called in to speak to the U.S. team during the 4 Nations Face-Off last month. However, tensions arose during the final game against Canada, where the U.S. anthem was booed in Montreal following Trump’s controversial remarks about Canada becoming “the 51st state” and the imposition of tariffs that sparked a trade war between the neighboring countries.

Putin’s passion for hockey is well-known, with the Russian president frequently attending games. The rivalry between the U.S. and Russia on the ice dates back to the historic “Miracle on Ice” in 1980, when the U.S. defeated the Soviet Union in a stunning upset at the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York.

In more recent times, the NHL did not participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics, where the Russian team, competing as “Olympic Athletes from Russia,” clinched the gold medal in men’s hockey. However, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the International Ice Hockey Federation banned the country from all its tournaments. The participation of Russian athletes in future events, including the 2026 Milan Olympics and the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, remains uncertain.

Despite these geopolitical challenges, the NHL continues to welcome Russian players into the league, with stars like Alex Ovechkin, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Nikita Kucherov, and Kirill Kaprizov making significant contributions. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman acknowledged the complexities surrounding Russian participation in international competitions, emphasizing the need to address the evolving world situation before making any decisions.

The NHL Players’ Association also expressed a desire to see Russian players back on the world stage, highlighting their talent and contribution to the sport. While political issues may impact their participation in upcoming tournaments, there is optimism that Russian athletes will eventually return to compete at the highest level.

In conclusion, the proposal for hockey games between the U.S. and Russia presents an opportunity to bridge political divides through sports diplomacy. As discussions progress, it remains to be seen how the NHL, international organizations, and individual players navigate the complex landscape of global sports competitions.