Pakett: International Hockey Thrives on Russia vs. Canada Showdowns

Forward of Moscow’s Dynamo, **Cedric Pakett**, who has recently obtained Russian citizenship, addressed the question of whether he has an interest in playing for the Russian national team.

**“Regarding your sporting citizenship, have you considered trying to make it onto the Russian national team?”**
— To be honest, I haven’t really thought about that. I doubt it would even be worth pursuing in that direction. There’s already a surplus of players in Russia, and the competition for a spot on the national team is fierce, especially with NHL players involved. It would be quite challenging for me to compete in that race. Plus, let’s be realistic, I’m not getting any younger.

**“Do you think international hockey suffers significantly without the Russian national team at major tournaments?”**
— Absolutely. I believe that the Russian team should make a return to the Olympics next year. It’s clear that this is a very strong team with exceptional players. Events like the Olympics and the World Championship are meant to showcase the best teams. The Russian national team can compete with anyone and has the ability to win against anyone. It would be amazing to witness a matchup against Canada or the USA again on the ice. When the strongest compete in tournaments, everyone benefits, — stated Pakett as reported by Dynamo’s press service.