Trump-Putin Reportedly Talk USA-Russia Hockey Tournament

Posted on: March 19, 2025, 08:49h. 

Last updated on: March 19, 2025, 09:57h.

Mark Keast Read More
Expertise: Canadian Gaming, iGaming, Las Vegas, Sports Betting, NFL, Boxing, UFC.
  • Putin and Trump discuss USA-Russia hockey tournament during two-hour call
  • 4 Nations Face-Off a massive TV and betting hit
  • Russian hockey players are currently banned from the Olympics

Russian President Vladimir Putin, a big hockey fan, was no doubt watching the NHL and NHLPA’s 4 Nations Face-Off last month, which was a TV ratings (and betting) smash hit.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump reportedly discussed a USA-Russia hockey tournament during a call Tuesday about a ceasefire in Ukraine. (Image: Unsplash)

The weeklong international tournament in Montreal and Boston with teams from Canada, USA, Sweden, and Finland comprising the NHL’s best players brought a level of on-ice intensity that blew away the all-star game format it replaced, including previous World Cup tournaments. Fans still talk about the three fights in six seconds led by the US’ Tkachuk brothers (Matthew and Brady) at the start of USA -Canada match in Montreal in a Saturday night tournament round-robin game.

“All-star games have been boring for years. It was nice that [the NHL] put a little twist on it. It just so happened that there was political interest that added fuel to the fire. All of that was a good thing for betting,” said Las Vegas-based bookmaker Johnny Avello, DraftKings’ director of race & sportsbook operations, the day after the February 20 championship game.

Deep Hockey History Between USA-Russia

With deep patriotic undertones, Canadian-US political strife, trade tariffs between the countries, bully talk from US President Donald Trump toward Canada, Canadian fans booing the US national anthem at sporting events in Canada, including at the hockey tournament – people who weren’t hockey fans were suddenly talking hockey. 

Putin is such a huge hockey fan that the topic of a USA-Russia hockey tournament came up during a two-hour call with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, according to Kremlin reporting.

Best NHL and KHL Players 

The two leaders were, of course, discussing more serious issues, including a potential cease-fire in the Ukraine war. Trump said later they also discussed bilateral issues.

Moscow reportedly said in its recap that Trump supported Putin’s idea to organize a tournament between NHL and KHL American and Russian players. Trump spoke with US players on the eve of that 4 Nations Face-Off championship game against Canada in Boston (Canada won the game).

According to reporting by the Associated Press, the NHL found out about the discussion after the fact and said it was “inappropriate” for the league to comment at this time.

Russian Players Currently Banned

The USA and Russia have a hockey history that dates back to 1980 at the Winter Olympics tournament at Lake Placid, NY, where the US “Miracle on Ice” team of amateur players beat the heavily favored Russians in a medal-round game on their way to winning Olympic gold.

Russians are currently banned by the International Ice Hockey Federation for all tournaments the organization runs. That ban was enacted after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 

The Olympics are next year in Milan, but there’s been no decision yet about Russian participation. NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh is on record as saying he would love to see Russian players back in international competitions.

This all must be a source of irritation for Putin –  especially considering that a Russian-born NHL player, and a supporter of his, Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, is about to smash Wayne Gretzky’s career goal record of 894. Ovechkin is at 887 goals.