IIHF: Kovalchuk's 'gesture' led to Russians snubbing Canada anthem
Ilya Kovalchuk gave an "unmistakable head gesture" as a signal to his Russian teammates to skate off the ice prior to Canada's national anthem at the 2015 world championship, the International Ice Hockey Federation declared on Monday.
The former NHL forward's gesture prompted the majority of his team to head for an open door following Russia's 6-1 loss to the Canadians in the gold-medal game in May. The IIHF deemed the open rink-side gate as "irrelevant" and fined the Russian Hockey Federation approximately $85,000 for the action.
"This was exceptional as no other team has ever left the ice before the IIHF Ice Hockey world championship medal ceremony was completed," the IIHF said in a statement.
Walking away is nothing new for the 32-year-old Kovalchuk, who bolted three seasons into his 15-year, $100 million contract with the New Jersey Devils in July 2013.
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Evgeni Malkin and Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov remained on the ice and urged their departing team to stay to honor the Canadians.
(h/t TSN)
