[Rumour] CHL to ban Russians and Belarusians from the upcoming import draft

[Cecil Terwilliger]

I doubt the type of sanction has much effect on how the average Russian feels. Some will blame the west, some will blame Putin. I don’t think the average person is gonna do a lot of deep thinking about who they should blame. They’re likely already predisposed to blaming one group or another.

These players would be just as likely to blame Putin for ruining their chance at getting drafted, escaping Russia and making the nhl as they would blaming the west. But I just don’t see a ton of people turning on the west and embracing Putin based on the justification for the sanction itself.

As mentioned above, sanctions tend to negatively affect the little guy. #### always flows downhill.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

You can't really have sanctions on an industry and avoid hurting the average person. Obviously ordinary people are going to be employed in those industries and suffer the consequences. Some of the people might rally for the flag, some won't.

Sanctions on Myanmar hurt people a lot poorer than the average Russian. I guess it's too bad they suck at hockey.

I actually agree - to an extent. Sanctions are often misused and designed to hurt regular people and left in place way too long. The rich get used to them and get around them but the poor never can.

In this case, I believe sanctions should absolutely be applied and they should be generally applied but the main purpose should be to get oligarchs to turn against Putin and demonstrate that Russia cannot exist on its own. We live in an interdependent world and when you attack sovereign countries your country has chosen to go down the path of isolation and there are severe consequences to that.

We didn’t block individual Iraqi people from participating in events because of Saddam’s actions against Kuwait.

[CroFlames]

This is not good.

We are a free and fair society. Those are our values as Canadians. We should allow anyone (based on merit) to come here an play.

Besides, don’t we want the worlds best to play here?

[Enoch Root]

Yeah, I am all for banning Russia from participating in tournaments while this is happening.

But this is limiting the opportunities of teenagers to pursue their dreams and ply their trade. Long term. That doesn't make sense to me.

[ben voyonsdonc]

While financial sanctions tend to disproportionately hurt the average person over time, I don’t think we should be imposing punishment that is designed to hurt an average Russian kid. If a kid wants to get out and have a chance to make a life outside of Russia, we shouldn’t block them based on where they were born.

[Itse]

Boycotting Russian nation, Russian companies and Russian leaders all makes sense.

Boycotting individual Russians does not. Russia is not a free country and we should be supporting people who want to leave. Especially teenage boys who need to worry about getting drafted to some stupid war they want no part of.

[Huntingwhale]

It's one thing to punish those inside Russia. But a kid looking to get drafted in the CHL is very clearly looking for a way to live their life outside Russia on North American soil. That's harsh. I agree we should be looking to drain those countries of their talent and put them to good use here.

I get why it's being done. But I'm conflicted about it.

[Scroopy Noopers]

I view all of these actions as propaganda work arounds. Pretty hard to buy into your countries propaganda when the entire developed world is turning their back on you. Hard to miss that.

Lots of collateral damage though, and that sucks. But the collateral damage on the Ukrainian side is death.

[GioforPM]

Hmm - what if they defect to another country and enter the draft?

[transplant99]

nm.

[Zarley]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I would think we would welcome Canadian citizens that display Russia dissent......

BTW, I think decent, and no you should not be interning those people.


But yes, why not cut out work/student visas.

The West has facilitated these Despots and at some time we need to acknowledge that and change our dealings with them.

So you are suggesting that we make it more difficult for Russia's best & brightest/most skilled to leave Russia? That will really show 'em.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Sadly, I think fans should brace themselves for blanket bans of Russian nationals should this war escalate.

[transplant99]

These kids aren't being banned from playing hockey and not even at elite levels. The Russians have their own major junior program.

They are being banned from playing in Canada, and only for now.

The more of these kinds of things affect the Russians as a whole, the better. Internal pressure is the only real way this crap stops.

[DJones]

Well this was a stupid decision

[Wastedyouth]

Originally Posted by transplant99

These kids aren't being banned from playing hockey and not even at elite levels. The Russians have their own major junior program.

They are being banned from playing in Canada, and only for now.

The more of these kinds of things affect the Russians as a whole, the better. Internal pressure is the only real way this crap stops.

They don't live in a democracy.

How much internal pressure do you think is going to happen?

[cannon7]

This is a cruel, empty decision by the CHL.

[thefoss1957]

IDK, Punishing an average citizen for the actions of politicians doesn't seem logically connected to me. I mean take Ovi losing endorsements, They can ask him to avoid political statements , but to have him forfeit endorsements for something a government does, seems completely unfair. I would not like to be held personally responsible for the idiocy perpetrated by the American government over the years. Nor do I honestly believe that an individual has much influence.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by transplant99

These kids aren't being banned from playing hockey and not even at elite levels. The Russians have their own major junior program.

They are being banned from playing in Canada, and only for now.

The more of these kinds of things affect the Russians as a whole, the better. Internal pressure is the only real way this crap stops.

Yes, but this move arguably helps Russia (at least in Putin's mind) as it keeps their best young players at home.

Letting their best come here is what hurts them.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Yes, but this move arguably helps Russia (at least in Putin's mind) as it keeps their best young players at home.

Letting their best come here is what hurts them.

Maybe we should let them keep some good people so they quit ####ing with everything else.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

Maybe we should let them keep some good people so they quit ####ing with everything else.

Every Russian hockey player has the opportunity to stay at home in Russia if he chooses. The fact is, a lot of them choose to leave. Taking that choice away from those kids isn't going to turn Putin into a nice person.