Hockey manager Nikita Kvartalnov said that some clubs in the National Hockey League (NHL) have decided not to choose Russian players. His words convey “Sports Express”.
“Were there any NHL clubs that basically didn’t want to buy players from Russia? They didn’t talk about it openly. But there are several clubs within the organization that have decided that the Russians will not be selected,” Kvartalnov said.
19 Russians were selected in the final NHL draft in 2023.
18-year-old Bedard was selected overall in the 2023 draft and went to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Ahead of all Russians – under number six – Lokomotiv’s defender Dmitry Simashev was chosen. Forward Matvey Michkov was drafted seventh overall and went to the Philadelphia Flyers. Lokomotiv system forward Daniil But was selected by Arizona with the number 12, and Mikhail Gulyaev from the Avangard system went to the Colorado Avalanche with the number 31.
Other Russian hockey players were selected in subsequent rounds.
Lokomotiv’s former hockey player spoke About prejudice against Russians in North America.