Russian-born Artemi Panarin is easy to root for. He’s got something of an underdog’s persona, which is odd considering he is arguably the best winger in the entire National Hockey League. Maybe the underdog thing can be attributed to his slight build and his goofball attitude. Or it could be the videos he posts of “hockey training” with his Jack Russell terrier. More likely, it’s the fact that he was never drafted; every single team in the league passed on Artemi Panarin, he was a late-bloomer who didn’t make his NHL debut until he was 24 years old. And now he’s a first-team All-Star, the second highest paid player in hockey and the centerpiece of the New York Rangers’ future.
Indeed, he’s easy to root for, which is one reason the allegations made against Panarin last month—that he attacked an 18-year-old Latvian girl in 2011—were particularly jarring. But Panarin’s likeability aside, the allegations seemed suspiciously odd and suspiciously related to Panarin’s political positions. That’s right. Panarin, a deity of the Neanderthalic, toothless, school-is-optional, apolitical pro hockey world has political opinions—and most notably: they are staunchly anti-Putin.
Russian citizens, especially high-profile athletes, are expected to grovel before the Putin regime. Russian-based criticism of Putin is unusual in any context (and can be fined). An internationally renowned athlete publicly criticizing Putin is unheard of.
In a candid 2019 interview, Panarin criticized Russia at length. “We have two cities that are developing, Saint Petersburg and Moscow, but the rest of them are a joke,” Panarin said. “American cities are developing thanks to local taxes which stay in the state. But here, a lot of money goes to Moscow, so people everywhere work for Moscow’s benefit. I always thought it’s unfair.”
And Panarin criticized Putin directly.
“Our biggest mistake, among many, is thinking that we have nobody better than Vladimir Vladimirovich. This is nonsense.”
Panarin believes his criticisms are an act of patriotism. “I am more of a patriot than those people who hush up the problems. They are playing with people’s emotions by saying that you have to love your country no matter what and hate others. I think it’s wrong. If I see issues and don’t talk about them, I think it’s a greater treason than when I talk about them.”
Such explicit criticism of the Putin regime was refreshing. But it also caused a collective cringe and the onset of nervous anticipation. The winger was openly blasting a regime inclined to plant chemical nerve agents in the opposition’s underwear. What would the blowback be for the 160-pound, dog-loving Panarin?
In February, Panarin faced some of the anticipated blowback. Former NHL enforcer and Putin loyalist Andrei Nazarov, who coached Panarin in the Russian-based Kontinental Hockey League, dropped a bombshell on Panarin.
“In Riga, on December 11, 2011, our Vityaz team lost to the local Dynamo 2-0. Panarin managed to shoot at goal only a few times during the whole match. It seems that he saved energy for the evening feats…,” Nazarov began. After the game “[Panarin] walked in the bar of the Radisson Hotel. Moreover, during the evening rest, he somehow did not like the young visitor of the institution. [Panarin] sent an 18-year-old citizen of Latvia to the floor with several powerful blows.”
Nazarov was describing a heinous act of violence. A full-fledged beating. According to Nazarov, the team paid local authorities 40,000 euros in cash to drop the investigation, so that Panarin’s future hockey career would not be harmed. Panarin wouldn’t be the first “nice guy” to commit such violence. Could Panarin have such a dark past?
Under scrutiny, Nazarov’s story did not hold up. None of Panarin’s 2011 teammates could recall Panarin repeatedly punching a young girl in a Latvian bar. Nazarov couldn’t name the girl. Panarin denied the story outright. And Nazarov said he was coming forward with the story now because of Panarin’s criticism of Putin. Clearly, the story was a politically motivated hatchet job.
Nazarov correctly identified the zeitgeist of #MeToo America. His claim was engineered to destroy Panarin’s reputation. But Nazarov likely did not anticipate the support Panarin would receive from the National Hockey League and the New York Rangers:
“Artemi vehemently and unequivocally denies any and all allegations in this fabricated story. This is clearly an intimidation tactic being used against him for being outspoken on recent political events. Artemi is obviously shaken and concerned and will take some time away from the team. The Rangers fully support Artemi and will work with him to identify the source of these unfounded allegations.”
Civilized societies do not tolerate violence against women. And descriptions of violent acts like those ascribed to Panarin should be considered criminal offenses. But the hockey community did an admirable job of recognizing the context and withholding from impulsive conclusions. Such restraint should be the default reaction within legal, human resource and public relations realms.After the allegations were made, Panarin took two weeks leave from the Rangers. He returned last week, smiling. He may yet face further blowback for his political views but for the moment he should be able to focus on revitalizing the Rangers’ impotent power play.
Photo: Artemi Panarin, credit: https://novacapsfans.com/2020/07/21/rangers-artemi-panarin-oilers-leon-draisaitl-avalanches-nathan-mackinnon-nominated-for-hart-trophy/
Be First to Comment