NHL agent: Russian clients facing harassment, death threats

NHL player agent Dan Milstein says his Russian-born clients are experiencing harassment and discrimination following the country's invasion of Ukraine.

Milstein was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, but immigrated to the United States in 1991 and is now a citizen. He represents 75% of the NHL's Russian and Belarusian players, including superstars such as Nikita Kucherov and Andrei Vasilevskiy.

"The discrimination and racism these Russian and Belarusian players are facing right now is remarkable," Milstein told ESPN's Emily Kaplan. "We're being set back 30 years. I have players calling me, parents calling me. They're concerned whether they'll be able to play, whether they'll be safe."

The NHL released a statement Monday condemning Russia's actions while suspending relationships with business partners in the country. Equipment manufacturer CCM Hockey announced Tuesday it won't be using Russian stars like Alex Ovechkin, among others, in global marketing initiatives going forward.

Milstein said some clients have been harassed on the street, while several have received death threats.

"He was yelled at to, 'Get back to your country,' and was called a Nazi and other words," Milstein said. "Clients are being called Nazis. People are wishing that they are dead. These are human beings. These are hockey players. These are guys contributing to our society, paying millions of dollars in taxes to support the U.S. and Canada, and doing all kinds of charity work back home. Stop looking at them as aggressors. Stop being racist."

He added, "My clients aren't as nervous for themselves. But when they are on the road, and they have a wife and a newborn child at home that are alone, there are major concerns."

Milstein also represents many Russian players in the AHL and junior leagues across North America, whom he says have been subject to harassment as well.