Former Vice President of Magnitogorsk “Metallurgist” Gennady Velitchkin told that he is not against the adoption of Russian citizenship by legionnaires of KHL clubs, if the players actually share the cultural values and customs of Russia.
Former American quarterback “Dynamo” Brennan Menell received a Russian passport and ceased to be considered a legionnaire in Russia. In addition, Canadian SKA Saint Petersburg striker Brendan Leipsik and Canadian Khabarovsk defender Amur Cameron Lee have also announced their desire to obtain Russian citizenship.
– Obtaining citizenship is a personal matter for everyone. If a legionnaire accepts the culture, history, habits and customs of the inhabitants of our country, it is his right. Maybe players get citizenship for preaching our traditional views? Velichkin told a correspondent.
The new KHL season will kick off on September 1 with the Cup opener between CSKA and Ak Bars.
Source : MatchTV
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