Evgeni Malkin speaks little in English. Although it is not difficult to notice that when it comes to understanding, the 20-year-old Russian already grasps a lot. Whether it’s watching TV shows in the Pittsburgh locker room, team mates on duty or talking to reporters, Malkin understands the essence long before the translator finishes his work. Taking into account how radically the guy’s life changed during the three months that included air travel from his homeland, his arrival in the USA and the beginning of his career in the NHL, his acclimatization outside the ice rinks is no less impressive than sports figures.
The second issue of the draft 2004 was the main theme of last summer. From that very August day, as he inexplicably disappeared from the airport in Helsinki and made the whole world wonder about his whereabouts. While waiting for a visa, Malkin hid from prying eyes with the help of one of the agents, a Russian-speaking assistant and his own security service. Days later, he materialized in Los Angeles with a script for the Hollywood blockbuster. Thus began his NHL career.
At the starting line, the striker scored goals in six games in a row, setting a record for the modern era and becoming the first newcomer to do so from the 1917/18 season. Last week, when the “penguins” lost due to a groin injury to Sydney Crosby, Malkin reached a new level of skill. After 18 matches held in the championship, including a Saturday meeting with the Rangers, Eugene with 12 goals leads the club and 22 points behind only Crosby in the team ranking.
The next step is to teach a native of Magnitogorsk to speak English fluently. At least, that’s how Sergey Gonchar, the defender of the “penguins”, in whose house Malkin settled, thinks so. Understanding the subtleties of language is perhaps the hardest part of the program for an enterprising young man who has flown over the ocean to become the best here.
“I know for sure how many words are in his vocabulary. Believe me, the guy speaks English better than many think,” says 32-year-old Gonchar, who played shoulder-to-shoulder with Evgeny in the Russian Olympic team last February. “When we stay together the room, he begins to share, as he will say this or that, and almost always speaks correctly. Another question is that the person is terribly afraid of making mistakes and prefers not to say too much in public. I really convince him that the good guys got together in the team, no one will laugh and will not say anything offensive. "T just try it, and all the help you right, I will, I will. "" "- Jack agrees, but hardly accumulate around people silent."
Malkin took several English lessons back in Russia, shortly after being drafted by the Pittsburgh. True, hockey, and not English, was his priority and took up most of the time. When Malkin arrived in Pennsylvania, the functionaries there had an idea to hire a personal teacher. Easier said than done. “Of course, we found a mentor, but the guy did not have time for him,” says Gonchar with a smile. “When you play three matches in four nights, you need to make at least a day off to relax and build up strength for new fights.” Daily communication on ice and in the locker room, watching TV shows and regularly flipping through the Russian-English dictionary is the easiest way to understand the language according to Gonchar.
Pittsburgh general manager Ray Shero also attaches great importance to the education of Eugene. A senior leader plans to sit down this week with Malkin, Gonchar and the wife of the latter, Ksenia, in order to discuss in detail the accumulated problems. “The main thing is that Malkin looks happy,” Shero believes. “He enjoys communicating with teammates. Therefore, I think that adapting to the American way of life is successful. Malkin feels more comfortable every week. The main thing is to be happy, and knowledge of the language will come . Everyone has it. "
Partners communicate with Malkin either through the translator Gonchar, or using gestures. “It’s not so easy to talk to him heart to heart,” recruits Jordan Staal lamented. “Although, I think, he understands more than he thinks. There are problems to say something to himself. Malkin understands that he is being asked, but in half "he has no idea how the answer should sound. It’s hard for him ... The faster a guy overcomes difficulties, the more joy the game will bring him."
Malkin constantly communicates with partners on the road (as a rule, these are joint trips for lunch) and shuns them in Pittsburgh. According to striker “penguins” Colby Armstrong, whose locker is in the locker room next door, other times are just around the corner.
“It’s hard for him to chat with us. Once Malkin called me, and I didn’t even understand what he wanted:“ Army! De-de-de-de-de. "I asked:“ What-what? ”And here Gonch came to the rescue. The veteran, as a rule, did not immediately help the compatriot, giving him the opportunity to try to say something. He does it right In general, Malkin is loved at the club, it’s nice to rush around the city with him. And English is not going anywhere. The guy is trying. Although sometimes in his phrases whole phrases slip in Russian. Then we all open our mouths with surprise and pull in unison: “What- oh? "
Maxim Talbo, for whom his native language is French, is sure: Gonchar encourages Malkin to practice communication. "We were in a restaurant. I was sitting next to Malkin, and Gonch took a seat opposite. And this experienced defender with his eyes showed the guy: come on, speak! He tried, and this is commendable. Even the duty ones," How are you? "Is a step in the right direction." - Talbo does not doubt.
In turn, Armstrong believes that, despite the language barrier, Malkin has an excellent sense of humor: “Forward Andre Rua made him laugh to tears, trying to imitate Russian speech. And before each hockey game, we play a little football - a cheerful disposition the newbie flashes here too. He's a wonderful guy. "
Who now knows exactly what Malkin has to go through is Potter. After all, once he, also at the age of 20, flew to conquer America and, like Eugene, did not understand a word in English. A native of Chelyabinsk recalls: by the end of the first year in the States, he was digesting most of what was heard, but only after another year he learned to speak fluently himself. “Each one has a different way,” the elder comrade shakes his head. “It’s one thing, and he’s completely different. For example, the other day Malkin went for a walk with a group of friends, and when they returned he seemed to have a good time. "Eugene grasps faster than it was in my case. By the end of the season he will at least a little, but will speak."
Translation by Vladimir BYCHEK