"And earlier I was amazed and even offended by the words of the president of the Russian Hockey Federation, Vladislav Tretyak, and head coach of the national team Vyacheslav Bykov, who uttered in an interview: that in order to get to the national squad one must gnaw the ice, and that they would not take you for your previous merits," the veteran stressed.

"All these statements have extremely disappointed me. This is humiliation of me as a personality and a sportsman. I do not owe anything to anyone and I have honestly earned my name in ice hockey. I am not 25 years old and have proved my high level with seventeen seasons in NHL. I am not going to prove anything anymore," he added.

Zubov played for Dallas Stars, New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL, putting his hands on the Stanley Cup twice – in 1994 and 1999.

He has also won the Olympic gold with Russia at 1992 Olympics in Albertville.

"If there is a place for me in the reserves only, I regard it as a spit in my face. I wanted to play for the national team very much, but unfortunately I will not. I want to apologize to our supporters. I think they will understand me. And I wish good luck to our guys in Vancouver," Zubov said.

Vyacheslav Bykov was shocked by Zubov’s attitude towards the team The Russian coach said Zubov’s reaction came as complete surprise for him.

“Frankly speaking, I don’t even want to comment on this. There are just three weeks ahead of the Olympics and scandals are absolutely unnecessary for us. The team needs something completely different these days – unity, support, interest. Well, now we know the Zubov’s stance. But we must go on."

”If we had not counted on this well-known player, we wouldn’t have included him in the list,” he added.

Zubov was capped for Russia ahead of the Carjala Cup, back in November, but he did not arrive to the national team referring to an injury. Moreover, he didn’t contact the coaches and thus caused the discontent of Vyacheslav Bykov and Igor Zakharkin.

After that incident the SKA man was not called up for the Moscow First Channel Cup held in December and was not included in the List of 23 for the Olympics.

Zubov could have faced sanctions for his comments, but Bykov said he will not demand any punishment for the player.

“No sanctions will follow. We’ve previously warned that the positions of subs in Vancouver will be taken by those people who want to and dream of playing for their country. But those for whom the team and the Olympics are not in the first place are given the right to decline the offer,” he said.

According to the Olympic rules, eight substitutes are allowed in the hockey squad – they join the action in case of an injury of players from the List of 23.

Bykov’s choice of subs was not officially announced.

Russia, who won the two last world championships, are considered to be the main rivals of hosts Canada for Olympic gold in Vancouver.