Josh Livo unsure about Russian citizenship after Ufa talks ended
Avangard forward Josh Livo says the citizenship idea came up in Ufa but faded after Salavat Yulaev let him go, and he is now focused on hockey.
Josh Livo, the Canada-born forward of Avangard Omsk, says he does not know whether he will apply for Russian citizenship. The subject came up once, he said, and has not returned since.
The 33-year-old was asked about it by Sports.ru. The question noted that Russian players in the NHL sometimes take US or Canadian citizenship because it makes life and travel easier. Livo said, as translated: "I don't know. I think it was discussed when I was playing in Ufa, but then they let me go from there, and that was the end of it. Since then the question has not really come up. Right now I am just focused on hockey. That's all."
Livo has played in Russia since 2023. He spent two seasons with Salavat Yulaev in Ufa and was named regular-season MVP of the KHL in 2025. Last season he played for Traktor Chelyabinsk, and in June 2026 he signed with Avangard.
He has 7 points (3 goals, 4 assists) in 9 games for Avangard this season. Over 197 KHL games he has 218 points, 102 of them goals.
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