In a surprising move, Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a request for Russian citizenship from American hockey player Brennen Menell, who currently plays as a defenseman for Dynamo Moscow.
Minnesota native Brennen Menell, a prominent defenseman for the Dynamo Moscow hockey team, has been granted Russian citizenship by President Vladimir Putin, as per a presidential decree issued on Thursday. The 26-year-old former National Hockey League (NHL) player made headlines when he was traded by a Belarusian team to Dynamo Moscow in September last year. Menell further solidified his commitment to the Russian team by signing a three-year contract extension in April.
Interestingly, Menell will not be required to relinquish his US citizenship to hold a Russian passport. This has been exemplified in the case of American action-movie star Steven Seagal, who obtained Russian citizenship in 2016 and continues to retain his US citizenship. Similarly, other notable figures like US boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. have chosen to maintain dual citizenship.
Before making his mark in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), Menell's career took off in North America's Western Hockey League after going undrafted by the NHL. He later secured a contract with his hometown NHL team, the Minnesota Wild, in 2017. While he shined as an all-star defenseman for the Wild's American Hockey League affiliate in Iowa, he only appeared in five games with the NHL club before deciding to join Dinamo Minsk in 2020. Since then, Menell has thrived in the KHL, boasting an impressive record of eight goals and 64 assists in 102 games.
Interestingly, Menell isn't the only North American hockey player seeking Russian citizenship. According to a Russian media report, Canadian-born Brendan Leipsic, a forward playing for SKA Saint Petersburg, has penned a letter to President Putin requesting citizenship. Leipsic lost his contract with the NHL's Washington Capitals in 2020 due to "misogynistic" comments made on social media.
The decision of foreign hockey players seeking Russian citizenship has been praised by hockey legend Viacheslav Fetisov, who is a former NHL star and currently serves in the Duma. Fetisov lauded Leipsic's move, emphasizing the positive implications for Russia. He expressed that such decisions challenge the West's propaganda and indicate a willingness to embrace Russian identity freely.
As the hockey world observes these unique developments, the granting of Russian citizenship to an American hockey player highlights the growing global appeal of the KHL and the increased interest of North American players in Russia's thriving hockey scene.
