Zaitsev's agent denies allegations that client kidnapped own children
Warning: Video contains disturbing content.
Nikita Zaitsev's agent Dan Milstein said on Friday there's no truth to the story that the Ottawa Senators defenseman kidnapped his own children in Russia.
Milstein said the children are at Zaitsev's parents' home in Moscow. He added that Zaitsev's ex-wife, Margo Gotovtseva, knows where the children are and that they're safe.
Statement regarding Nikita Zaitsev. pic.twitter.com/moxCQcDbVL
— Dan Milstein-Hockey (@HockeyAgent1) December 6, 2019
Gotovtseva posted a video on Instagram on Friday which appears to show her children being forcibly taken.
She released an additional statement, which contradicts Milstein's words. She says the children were living with her, and although she allowed weekend visitations for the kids to see Zaitsev's parents, she never approved of the children living with them permanently. Gotovtseva added that she hasn't seen or heard from her kids in 12 days.
I reached out to Senators defenceman Nikita Zaitsev's ex-wife Margo Gotovtseva for comment following her Instagram post this morning alleging Zaitsev took their children away from her. Following a statement by his agent, calling her story inaccurate, she posted this, in English: pic.twitter.com/haX7Uqh68D
— Drake Fenton (@drakefenton) December 6, 2019
The Senators are aware of the situation, as they released the following statement Friday, according to TSN 1200:
The Ottawa Senators have released the following statement regarding Nikita Zaitsev: pic.twitter.com/lFhpu3ls6e
— TSN 1200 (@TSN1200) December 6, 2019
The Sens announced on Nov. 22 that Zaitsev had gone back to Russia for personal reasons. He missed just one game before returning to the lineup on Nov. 25.
In his first campaign with Ottawa following an offseason trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs, the 28-year-old has recorded seven points in 28 contests.