As hockey fans and supporters of the NHL, we are calling on the league to stand firm and reject any exhibition games or partnerships with the Russian Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

In 2022, the NHL made the right call by suspending its business relationships in Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine. That decision showed leadership and a commitment to the values of peace, accountability, and solidarity with those affected by the war.

Now, with talks reportedly floating around about possible match-ups between NHL and KHL players — even involving support from Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump — it's more important than ever that the NHL holds the line. This isn’t just about hockey. It’s about not legitimizing a league closely tied to a government responsible for a brutal and ongoing invasion.

More than two dozen Ukrainian-American and Ukrainian-Canadian organizations have already spoken out, calling these potential games “deeply offensive” to the Ukrainian community and to NHL fans who believe in human rights and fair play.

International organizations like the IIHF have continued to suspend Russian teams from competitions, and we believe the NHL should do the same. Reopening ties with the KHL would undermine the message the league sent in 2022 and risk sending the wrong signal now.

We’re asking the NHL to keep standing on the right side of history by staying true to its principles and refusing any collaboration with the KHL while the war in Ukraine continues.