A potential ice hockey series between Russian and American players could take place in St. Petersburg and Washington, D.C., in the near future, according to Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev.
Speaking to Match TV on Monday, Degtyarev confirmed that discussions are ongoing to organize the games, which would feature players from both the NHL and Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
“The matches are indeed possible. Private negotiations are underway. You’ll know about it when they’re over,” Degtyarev said, emphasizing that scheduling remains the biggest hurdle.
The idea of a U.S.-Russia hockey series gained attention following a phone call last month between President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. The Kremlin claimed Trump expressed support for the proposal, though the White House’s official summary of the conversation did not mention hockey. The NHL also stated it was not involved in any related discussions.
Degtyarev said the envisioned matchups would bring together top talent from both countries and take place in St. Petersburg and “most likely” Washington, D.C.
The Russian minister’s comments came just a month after the EU reportedly agreed to lift sanctions on him and three other Russian-linked business figures, allegedly following lobbying efforts by Hungary.
Degtyarev, who also serves as president of Russia’s Olympic Committee (ROC), said he expects the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to lift its suspension of the ROC within two to three months. The suspension was imposed in October 2023 after the ROC absorbed Olympic councils from Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine.
Once reinstated, Degtyarev said the ROC would be eligible to bid for major international sporting events from 2029 onward.
Despite ongoing diplomatic tensions, the Sports Minister expressed optimism about the hockey series moving forward. However, Russia remains banned from all International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) events due to its 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
