In a development that raises eyebrows amid lingering geopolitical tensions, President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone on March 18, 2025, discussing the possibility of hockey matches between American and Russian players. The Kremlin's summary of their conversation revealed Trump’s enthusiasm for Putin's proposal to hold games featuring NHL players from the United States against KHL players from Russia. This potential matchup could be seen as a form of sports diplomacy.
According to the statement released by the Kremlin, the discussion revolved around "hockey matches in the USA and Russia between Russian and American players playing in the NHL and KHL." In response to news of the call, the NHL provided a carefully worded statement to ESPN, emphasizing their lack of involvement in the discussions. "We have just become aware of the conversation between President Trump and President Putin," the NHL said. "Obviously, we were not a party to those discussions and it would be inappropriate for us to comment at this time."
The backdrop to this conversation is quite complex. Russian hockey has been sidelined from international competitions since February 2022 due to the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) imposing sanctions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This ban was recently extended through the 2025-26 season, ensuring that the Russian team will not compete in the upcoming 2026 Olympics in Milan under their national flag, a significant setback given that it marks the first time in a decade that NHL players will participate in the Olympics.
Since 2022, the situation has dramatically changed for the NHL’s relationship with Russia, which had previously included several exhibition matches. Notably, in 2008 and 2010, teams from the NHL faced off against KHL clubs in Europe as part of special event tournaments. However, after the invasion, the NHL suspended dealings with the KHL and instructed its teams to halt contact with Russian teams and agents. Furthermore, they terminated their broadcast agreements with Russian television, effectively freezing Russia out of the hockey world.
As Trump and Putin's dialogue surfaces, the implications of such discussions are too important to overlook. While some may see this as just an another conversation about sports, it signifies a thaw in a much colder relationship marked by years of geopolitical strain. Both leaders potentially view sports as a way to bridge these divides, at least temporarily.
In the United States, hockey enthusiasm was recently exemplified when Trump reached out to Team USA ahead of their intense game against Canada in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off championship in Boston. His call served as a morale boost for the team, although they ultimately fell to Canada in a heartbreaking overtime loss, 3-2. Coach Jon Cooper of Team Canada remarked on the heightened emotional stakes, declaring, "Canada needed a win, and the players beared that on their shoulders. They took it seriously." Cooper framed the victory as not just personal but emblematic of national pride for over 40 million Canadians, reflecting how sports can transcend mere competition and enter the territory of national significance.
The ongoing ban from international competitions means that Russian hockey is in a precarious predicament, still feeling the shockwaves of past political actions. As the IIHF states plainly, "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 situation underscores the enduring complexity of international relations as they interlace with sport.
In conclusion, while discussions between Trump and Putin about hockey might appear trivial at face value, they highlight a potential opening for dialogue in challenging times. The future remains uncertain, as the NHL’s official position shows caution and mistrust towards Russian engagements, calling into question how any practical collaboration might take shape amid existing sanctions.
