Far-Reaching Impact

There are some brands and logo that have worked its way into societies across the globe despite the company never having set foot inside those countries. The New York Yankees, for example, have a solid merchandising revenue stream across the pond in Europe and Asia despite them never have traveled there extensively. In hockey, it appears the Original Six teams have a solid hold on merchandise sales across the ocean, but one team can now say that its uniform was used during an attempted hijacking of a plane with the intent of ruining the Olympic Games. Not that I'd be proud of that. And in case you're wondering, yes, this is a comedy article, not a serious one.

Reportedly, Artem Hozlov, hailing from Ukraine, decided to try to hijack the plane after making a bomb threat while aboard in order to divert the plane to Sochi for the Opening Ceremonies of the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games in order to protest the Russian government detaining Ukrainian anti-government protesters. Hozlov was apparently under the influence of something when he made his demands to reroute the plane to Sochi, but authorities would not elaborate further. He was arrested when the plane touched down at its original destination of Istanbul, Turkey.

So why am I talking about this on HBIC? Well, here's his photo.

First off, are we really going to believe that this man was serious when it appears he was wearing a counterfeit jersey? I wouldn't buy a Cossack hat from him if I saw him standing there in this fake jersey. FYI: there's no blue sleeve stripe anywhere on the Montreal Canadiens' uniform.

Secondly, are we really going to believe that Saku Koivu is his favorite player? Koivu was a fan favorite in Montreal some time ago, but that was long before the counterfeit jersey trend was popping up. So was he wearing a Brendan Gallagher jersey? At least I can see that being a little more believable since Gallagher is a bit of a disturbance on the ice in terms of how he plays much the same as how Hozlov was a disturbance on this flight. Fan emulating a player? However, that would mean that a Ukrainian hijacker was wearing a Canadiens jersey with a Canadian-born player's name on the back? That doesn't seem right if he were going to the Olympics. And neither Gallagher nor Koivu are playing in these Games. So what gives?

Maybe it actually said "Hozlov"? If it did, that might be the worst idea in the history of man since most criminals are trying to keep their names out of the spotlight. Although, if it did have his name on that back, that could be the funniest moment in the history of failed terrorist attacks ever.

Congratulations to the Montreal Canadiens on being the first NHL team involved in a botched hijacking job AND a counterfeit jersey purchase in one move! While I know that the Canadiens cannot control what fans do with their jerseys once they have purchased them, I doubt this guy will be getting a Christmas card from Les Habitants for helping to further their world-wide brand.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!