Dmitry Simashev, who was selected for the 2023 National Hockey League (NHL) Draft by the Arizona Coyotes, said that there is no prejudice against Russian athletes in North America. His words convey DEA News.
“One day we will return to the international arena. The main thing now is that there is no prejudiced attitude towards the Russians in North America. The latest NHL draft showed that nothing like this has happened yet and that the current situation does not prevent league clubs from choosing Russian hockey players,” the 18-year-old defender said.
Yaroslavl Lokomotiv player Simashev was selected from the sixth place in the first round. He was the first of the conscripted Russians. In total, four Russian hockey players were selected in the first round of the draft, and a total of 19 players were selected for the entire draft.
Last season, Simashev played 18 games for Lokomotiv in the regular season of the Continental Hockey League (KHL), but failed to score.
Previously in the NHL reportedthey are working on the creation of various international tournaments.