Hurricanes’ Andrei Svechnikov has support of ‘brothers’ during Russia-Ukraine crisis
As the crisis worsens in Ukraine during the Russian invasion, Russian-born players in the NHL have come under increased scrutiny, especially on social media.
Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, a strong supporter of Russian president Vladimir Putin in the past, has been excoriated. Hall of Fame goalie Dominik Hasek is one who lambasted him on Twitter, calling Ovechkin a liar and worse, saying the NHL should suspend the contracts of any Russian player who does not condemn Putin’s actions.
An increase in criticism could filter down to other Russia-born players in the NHL as the situation intensifies — players such as Andrei Svechnikov of the Carolina Hurricanes.
Svechnikov, 21, has a large support group, Canes forward Jordan Martinook said this week.
“If anybody tries to make him feel bad about the situation, then he’s got 23 brothers who will stick up for him,” said Martinook, an alternate captain.
By that, Martinook meant the 23 players on the Hurricanes roster have that strong a bond. And the coaching staff, if need be, is there to support Svechnikov, and everyone else associated with the team.
The NHL on Monday issued a statement urging a “peaceful resolution” to the crisis. The league said it was concerned about the well-being of its players from Russia, saying they “play in the NHL on behalf of their NHL Clubs, and not on behalf of Russia.” It also noted the league understands the players and their families “are being placed in an extremely difficult position.”
Svechnikov, born in Barnaul, Russia, played a lot of his junior hockey in Moscow with his older brother, Evgeny, before coming to North America. His mother, Elana, has spent considerable time in the U.S. with her sons while their father, Igor, remains in Russia.
“It’s obviously a unique situation and it isn’t anything ‘Svech’ can control. It’s out of his hands,” Martinook said. “Obviously you want to support him ... and you have seen it with other players in the league who are getting some criticism.
“He’s obviously from Russia but it’s totally out of his control. When you try to bring politics into hockey, it’s hard for guys to really have a stance on it when it’s completely out of their control. We’ll support him as much as he needs.”
Svechnikov has a good player-and coach relationship with Rod Brind’Amour, who has been his head coach at Carolina since being drafted in 2018 and joining the Canes lineup at 18.
Brind’Amour said Tuesday he has had a brief conversation with Svechnikov about the Russia-Ukraine situation.
“It is what it is. It’s unfortunate,” Brind’Amour said. “You can’t say you take it as a blessing but we get caught up in our own world. We don’t watch news and stuff. I think just focusing on hockey is the best thing he can do.”
If Svechnikov has been distracted in any way, it hasn’t shown in his play, Brind’Amour added. Svechnikov had a pair of assists Sunday in the Canes’ 2-1 win over Edmonton, giving him 50 points in 49 games this season. He didn’t score Tuesday, but was active in the offensive zone and had two shots on goal.
Since coming to the Canes as the No. 2 overall pick of the 2018 NHL draft, Svechnikov has had a maturity about him that belies his age, on and off the ice. That should help him as he deals internally with the growing crisis.
“He’s mature above his years for sure,” Martinook said. “He understands what’s going on. I don’t know his take on it or how he feels about it, but I know he cares about it. ...
“I’m not from Russia and don’t know what’s going on there, I’m not from Ukraine. ... I just don’t want ‘Svech’ to have to face any scrutiny from this situation because as I said it’s completely out of his control.”
Svechnikov has not spoken publicly about the crisis. His agent, Todd Diamond of International Sports Advisors Co., could not be reached for comment.
This story was originally published March 1, 2022 at 3:06 PM.
