Trump and Putin’s Hockey Proposal: A New Era or Just Talk?
In a surprising twist of international sports diplomacy, President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind an intriguing proposal from Russian President Vladimir Putin. The idea? To organize hockey games between the U.S. and Russia, featuring players from the NHL and Russia’s KHL. This revelation came to light following a phone call between the two leaders, as detailed in a summary released by the Kremlin.
According to the Russian government, the conversation between Trump and Putin included discussions about “hockey matches in the USA and Russia between Russian and American players playing in the NHL and KHL.” It’s a bold idea, considering the current geopolitical climate and the frosty relations between the two countries.
The NHL, however, has remained tight-lipped about the proposal. “We have just become aware of the conversation between President Trump and President Putin,” the NHL stated in a message to ESPN. “Obviously, we were not a party to those discussions and it would be inappropriate for us to comment at this time.”
Historically, the NHL and KHL have engaged in exhibition games. For instance, in 2008, the New York Rangers faced Metallurg Magnitogorsk in Switzerland during the short-lived Victoria Cup in Europe. In 2010, the NHL organized two games against KHL teams as part of its “Premiere Challenge” series, with the Phoenix Coyotes playing against SKA Saint Petersburg in Russia and the Carolina Hurricanes taking on Dinamo Riga in Latvia.
However, the NHL’s relationship with Russia took a significant hit after Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In response, the league suspended its dealings with the KHL in March 2022, instructing teams to cease contact with KHL teams and agents based in Russia. Additionally, the NHL terminated its broadcast agreement with Russian television.
Since the invasion, Russia has been largely isolated from the international hockey community. The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) banned Russia and Belarus from international hockey tournaments in 2022, a ban that was extended last month through the 2025-26 season due to ongoing security concerns.
The IIHF stated, “As the current security conditions do not allow the necessary requirements for the organization of tournaments guaranteeing the safety of all, the IIHF must maintain the current status quo until further notice.”
This ban would extend through the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, where NHL players are expected to participate for the first time since 2014. Despite the IIHF’s ruling, the International Olympic Committee will have the final say on whether Russia and Belarus can participate in the Games and under what conditions.
Adding to the political drama, Trump recently made headlines in the hockey world by calling Team USA on the morning of their NHL 4 Nations Face-Off championship game in Boston to wish them luck. Unfortunately for Team USA, they lost in overtime to rival Canada, 3-2.
The tournament itself was politically charged, partly due to Trump’s tariff plans affecting the Canadian economy and his controversial remarks about making Canada “the 51st state.” This tension led to the national anthems of both countries being booed during games.
- Team USA lost to Canada 3-2 in overtime.
- Trump’s comments stirred political tensions during the tournament.
- Canada’s victory was seen as a significant morale boost.
Team Canada coach Jon Cooper commented on the victory, saying, “Canada needed a win, and the players beared that on their shoulders. They took it seriously. This one was different. This wasn’t a win for themselves. This was a win for 40-plus million people. The guys knew it and they delivered.”
As the world watches, the potential for U.S.-Russia hockey games remains uncertain. Will this proposal lead to a new era of sports diplomacy, or is it merely a fleeting idea in the complex world of international relations? Only time will tell.
Originally Written by: Greg Wyshynski
