Sergei Zubov, who spent 17 years in the NHL and decided to play in the KHL past summer, commented on his inclusion in the list of substitute players for the Olympics.
RussianHockeyFans offers you a translation of Zubov's interview to Sport-Express.
Sergei Zubov: "I've just been called by the national team's administrator and informed that I'd been included in the list of substitute players for the Olympic Games. Honestly, I didn't even know what to answer. This situation was really, really surprising.
Also I was astonished and I'd even say offended by the words of Vladislav Tretyak, the president of the Russia Hockey Federation, and the head coach Vyacheslav Bykov. They said something like that to make the team every player should do his best and that no one will be in the team for previous achievements. I was really disappointed by all these words. That's a complete humiliation of me as a person and a sportsman. I don't have to prove anything to anyone. I honestly earned my reputation in hockey. I'm not a 25-year-old guy. I proved by 17 seasons in the NHL that I play at high level. I'm not going to prove anything to anyone anymore!
If they found a spot for me among substitute players then I think its a spit in my face. I really wanted to play for the national team but, unfortunately, it won't happen. I want to tell the fans I'm sorry. I think they will understand me. I wish good luck to our guys in Vancouver."
Kuznetsov: "If we had won, it would have been unfair"