NHL star Kirill Kaprizov wanted by Russian government

[TexasHooch 5,122]

Putting this here because it's really not a hockey story. This shit is crazy.  Essentially, Russia is claiming that Kaprizov and others illegally obtained military IDs as a way of circumventing their duty to serve in the military.  Smells like bullshit.  Which is right on brand.

 

 

Quote

Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov remains in Russia amid reports of fake military ID, flight to U.S.

By Michael Russo

 

MONTREAL — The Minnesota Wild and the NHL were trying to get a handle on a developing situation Wednesday after multiple media reports surfaced out of Russia that Wild star Kirill Kaprizov is wanted in his native country for allegedly buying a falsified military ID card in 2017, when he was playing for Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Wild general manager Bill Guerin told The Athletic that Kaprizov is still in Russia, contrary to reports that he had fled for the United States.

“We’re trying to find out as much as we can, but we’re not worried too much about it,” Guerin said. “I’ve talked to (Kaprizov’s agent) Paul (Theofanous). We’re not going to push the panic button or anything like that. We’re just trying to gather information right now and find out if this is even credible.”

This situation comes days after Philadelphia Flyers goaltending prospect Ivan Fedotov was arrested and taken to a military naval camp for allegedly evading mandatory military service. Fedotov has been accused of purchasing a fake military ID from a high-ranking military officer, who allegedly helped other Ufa athletes obtain the military cards as well.

Kaprizov was on that team with Fedotov. The SHOT Telegram reported that Kaprizov and Pavel Karnaukhov are suspected of buying military IDs in 2017.

Kaprizov’s father, Oleg, denied that his son bought a military ID to Sport-Express and said Kaprizov is a student of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA). It is common for Russian professional athletes to study from afar as a means of delaying their military obligations.

However, Kaprizov’s exemption expired June 30, according to one source familiar with the situation. If that’s true, regardless of the accusation that he bought a military ID five years ago, Kaprizov could be required to fulfill his military obligations. In Russia, men must serve in the military for one year between the ages of 18 and 27.

Theofanous did not respond to multiple interview requests.

Kaprizov, 25, played the past two seasons with the Wild. He won the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year in 2020-21 and last season set a franchise record with 47 goals and 108 points. Before that, he represented CSKA Moscow — still considered the Red Army team — for three years. Typically, CSKA Moscow players have been exempt from military service in the past. That might be an informal rule, though.

“You’re in the Army, but your job is to play hockey,” one Russian source said. “Somebody’s job is to drive a tank and your job is to hold a stick.”

Kaprizov is a decorated Russian player who twice led the KHL in goal scoring, won a league championship, captained their 2017 World Junior Championship team and scored the golden goal in the 2018 Winter Olympics. When he was pressured to re-sign with CSKA Moscow and not sign with the Wild four years ago, he did just that. He’s been photographed many times shaking the hand of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“He did everything they asked,” said a source close with many Russian players. “That’s why he stayed so long without coming to the States, because they asked him to do it — official people asked him to do it.”

Asked how concerned he is that Kaprizov could be forced to remain in Russia, a source knowledgeable of the goings-on in Russia said he’s not — “unless it’s coming straight from the top, and you know who I mean.”

“If it’s coming from the person (Putin), and he says Kirill’s not going anywhere, then he’s not going anywhere,” the source said. “Unless it’s coming from that one person, everybody else is going to be OK. Only one person can make him stay, not nobody else.

“But is it possible? Like a small percentage, of course, because he’s one of the biggest names to make an example. What are you going to make an example of: Fedotov, who is going to be in the AHL, or a star in the league? If you want to make the news, you grab the best one you can. I think he’s in a good standing with extremely high-up people, but if push comes to shove and they want to make an example of him, they will obviously. They’ll forget about everything else — all the good things he’s done for the country.”

It’s an alarming thought that was reflected in a story published by The Athletic last week, in which a number of NHL executives voiced their concern that Russian players could have trouble returning to North America in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and escalated global tension.

In that story, an agent said he warned all his clients not to return home this offseason, and Guerin said that he pleaded with Kaprizov six weeks ago not to return to Russia this offseason.

One Russian person who works closely with players throughout the NHL echoed that sentiment Wednesday to The Athletic. He said he warned everybody he has ties with not to return to Russia this offseason.

“I strongly recommended nobody go back, and just about nobody listened,” the source said. “They were all laughing because until something will happen, people take it lightly. Now, something has happened and people are no longer taking it lightly. I’m sure these guys are no longer laughing.”

The NHL held its annual GMs meeting Wednesday, and managers said the topic of Russia possibly preventing players from returning didn’t come up.

“There’s no guidance,” said Philadelphia Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher. “Teams are free to make their own decisions.

“It’s a very sensitive situation and we’re doing our best to stay abreast of any developments. In view of the current situation (with Fedotov), I’ll probably limit my public comments.”

Brian MacLellan, the Washington Capitals GM, said he’s spoken with Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Dmitry Orlov.

“Every time I talk to them, they’re comfortable and confident they can get back,” MacLellan said. “Obviously there’s uncertainty there, but they’re comfortable.”

As for Kaprizov, multiple sources said Wednesday that if he does return to the U.S., he should not go back until after his playing days. But that could put his parents and brother, who live in Russia, at risk, as well.

“It’s clear Russia is trying to pressure NHL players right now not to leave Russia,” a league source said. “This is not going to be exclusive to Kirill Kaprizov. I don’t know how any Russian players can feel confident returning to Russia every offseason now. Or, the NHL draft is coming (Thursday and Friday). How do you draft a Russian player now? I don’t know. It’s very complicated.”

 

[F250 28,777]

32 minutes ago, TexasHooch said:

"I strongly recommended nobody go back, and just about nobody listened,” the source said. “They were all laughing because until something will happen, people take it lightly. Now, something has happened and people are no longer taking it lightly. I’m sure these guys are no longer laughing.”

 

 

[UTGrad98 2,280]

The oligarchs out front should have told ya

[InkaUtexas 25,955]

Give him US or Canadian citizenship today. 

Don't fuck with my NHL. 

[Brisketexan 105,154]

I think the lesson here, and it's a very good one, is "don't be Russian."

That's just solid advice.

[StruggleBus 3,922]

Russia is asshoe

[atomheartbevo 89,708]

For a long time, if you had some money (and not that much, like as low as $5,000), you could get out of conscription in Russia - quite a few videos from Russian YouTubers about it.

Russian military is really hurting for manpower.  Sounds like they going to make/are making some high profile arrests like these NHL players, ahead of rounding up all of the Russian men who had bought their way out of conscription. 

And it won’t be hard to find these men.  They (mostly) know who is of age, who is currently serving, and can figure out who hasn’t served.  

[MadBurgerMaker 404]

3 hours ago, atomheartbevo said:

and can figure out who hasn’t served.  

Yeah, those guys haven't been capped in Ukraine yet.

[cactusflinthead 27,601]

Ask Panarin about Putin

New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin is taking a leave of absence from the NHL team after allegations emerged in Russia that he beat up an 18-year-old woman in 2011.

Panarin is one of the few Russian athletes to have publicly criticised Vladimir Putin and his team suggested the assault allegations are a smear tactic to punish the player.

“Artemi vehemently and unequivocally denies any and all allegations in this fabricated story,” the Rangers said in a statement on Monday. “This is clearly an intimidation tactic being used against him for being outspoken on recent political events."

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/feb/22/artemi-panarin-new-york-rangers-leave-putin-navalny-nhl

 

Kaprisov isn't the only high profile player from over there. If I had NHL money I would be trying to get my family out. 

[Viper 12,109]

On 7/6/2022 at 5:12 PM, TexasHooch said:

Putting this here because it's really not a hockey story. This shit is crazy.  Essentially, Russia is claiming that Kaprizov and others illegally obtained military IDs as a way of circumventing their duty to serve in the military.  Smells like bullshit.  Which is right on brand.

 

 

 

Could also go in the celebrity death pool thread

[Hermanator 7,081]

Let's see what division are the Wild in...

Yeah keep that dumb as shit but brilliant at hockey asshole there. 

 

I know kids are dumb but damn how could you not be seeing how badly Putin was fucking up the war and how he was sending wave after wave of men to get killed and decide to leave your millions and go back? Just sheer stupidity. 

Edited July 8, 2022 by Hermanator

[MNLonghornFUKM 8,817]

This is the most Minnesota sports thing to happen to Minnesota sports. And I’ve seen a lot of Minnesota sports.


Hope he gets out of there and Bills greets him at the airport by kicking him in the balls