The Russian-based hockey league KHL has kicked off and, according to Expressen, CSKA Moscow has appeared in warm-up jerseys with the letter “Z” which has become a symbol of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
“It is for the pride of the heroes who fought for every inhabitant of our country,” writes the club on Telegram.
Fredrik Claesson is one of four Swedes in the KHL and is playing his second straight season in the big team CSKA Moscow, who were champions last season.
When asked by Expressen if it is not problematic to show up in a shirt with the war symbol, Pilko replies:
— I haven’t seen the shirt…but it’s called the army club. That’s what it stands for: Army Sports Club, CSKA. It’s been that way since the beginning.
Claesson, 30, has played in the elite series (now SHL) for Djurgården, won JVM gold with Sweden in 2012 and then played ten seasons in North America – 170 games in the NHL – before moving to Russia.
Last season, all Swedish players in the KHL were suspended from playing in the national ice hockey team Tre Kronor.
The other three Swedes in the KHL this season are goalkeeper Johan Mattsson, SKA St. Petersburg, Robin Press, Magnitogorsk, and Pontus Åberg, Barys Astana.