Report: Pavel Datsyuk 'holed up at monastery with priest who claims COVID is cover-up to microchip population'

Well, it seems that former Detroit Red Wings star Pavel Datsyuk is one for conspiracy theories...sort of. 

The 41-year-old is reportedly among those who are holed up at a Russian monastery where a priest, Sergius, has taken ultimate control and guarded the area with his followers after being told to stop services amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to rt.com. 

Datsyuk reportedly is supporting Sergius, who believes that the coronavirus is a "pseudo-pandemic" and is being used to microchip the public. The priest is also said to have complained about the closing of churches in Russia during the virus outbreak, blaming "atheistic authorities."

The priest Datsyuk is confined with reportedly is the hockey star's personal confessor: "Father Sergius has been my spiritual father for more than 10 years. [He] has a burning, loving heart, he sees me through and through," Datsyuk has said of the priest, Russian media reported.

Sergius is a rather...questionable character, to say the least. He's a former police officer and also spent 13 years in prison for murder. Rt.com also reports he has a portrait of Communist leader Joseph Stalin hanging in his room at the monastery, which also is odd. 

Datsyuk returned to Russia in 2016 after playing 15 NHL seasons with the Red Wings and helping them win two Stanley Cups in 2002 and 2008. He now plays for KHL club Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg after playing for SKA St Petersburg from 2016-19.