Russia's famous ice hockey player Alexander Ovechkin has had to put up with heavy criticism after his statements on the Ukraine war.

Not only North American media show little understanding for the attitude of the striker from the NHL organization Washington Capitals, Czech goalkeeper legend Dominik Hasek had previously found clear words.

"Please, no more wars.

We have to live in peace,” Ovechkin recently said, but refrained from direct criticism of Russia.

He was "not a politician," said the 36-year-old, and said of Vladimir Putin: "He's my president." He has "family in Russia," said Ovechkin.

The situation is "scary.

We can't do anything.” The Montreal Gazette contends that “it's not true that Ovechkin can't do anything”.

The paper urged the professional to "use his considerable strength to knock the tyrant off his pedestal."

The sports blogging network SB Nation was even more explicit.

"To say he feels helpless is a disingenuous attempt to downplay his importance," it said.

As one of Russia's most internationally prominent athletes, he could "express himself differently.

He decided against it.” Ovechkin, on whose Instagram profile picture he can still be seen at Putin's side, is a “cowardly toady”.

Previously, Hasek, a two-time Stanley Cup winner in the NHL, sharply attacked the Russians on Instagram.

Ovechkin was a "liar" and "chicken..." the post read, "every adult in Europe knows that Putin is a maniac killer and that Russia is waging an offensive war against a free country and its people."

The NHL must immediately suspend the contracts of “all Russian players.

Every athlete not only represents himself and his club, but also his country and its values ​​and actions.”

The renowned player consultant Dan Milstein, who has around 75 percent of all Russian and Belarusian NHL professionals under contract, meanwhile warned of stigmatization.

"The discrimination and racism these players are facing right now is remarkable," Milstein said in an ESPN interview.

You are "thrown back 30 years", according to the native Ukrainian: "I have players who call me, parents who call me.

They're worried about whether they can play, whether they're safe."