Canadiens exec not concerned by members’ travel to Russia [Video]

DETROIT –

Montreal executive vice president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton said he has “no concern” about members of the Canadiens’ front office travelling to Russia with the country’s war in Ukraine ongoing.

Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes, scout Nick Bobrov and special adviser Vincent Lecavalier raised eyebrows by flying overseas this week to visit first-round draft pick Ivan Demidov of SKA Saint Petersburg in the KHL.

Gorton said the the trip is strictly for scouting.

“We have prospects all over the world, and basically, if we draft you or we sign you, you’re in our family and we’re going to go see you and watch you play,” he said. “We’re going to monitor you and let you know how we feel about your play. That’s what this is. This is a scouting trip that Kent’s on.”

Russia and ally Belarus have been banned from International Ice Hockey Federation tournaments at all levels since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and …