Finally, what happened over the past four weeks has been waiting for hockey experts and fans of Russia and North America. Center forward of the Russian national team Evgeni Malkin, who fled from Metallurg Magnitogorsk on August 11, not only signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins NHL club, but finally broke the silence and gave a press conference. Izvestia correspondent Boris Titov listened to a briefing on the official website of Malkin’s new team and selected the hockey player’s most interesting answers to questions from American journalists.
When did you decide to escape from Magnitogorsk to Pittsburgh?
This happened the next morning after signing a new contract with Metallurg. I called agent JP Barry and outlined the situation to him. I really wanted to leave for the NHL, I was very upset that I went to persuade the management of “Magnitogorsk” and signed the agreement. Then the agent and I had an escape plan.
When you and the agent were hiding from the leaders of Metallurg in a secret apartment in Helsinki in anticipation of an American visa, did you have any concerns about your family remaining in Magnitogorsk?
In Helsinki, a little excitement for the parents and brother arose. But I did not think that the general director of Metallurg Velichkin would pursue my family because I have known him since childhood. He is not only a good manager, but also a normal person. Once in Los Angeles, he called his parents and found out that they had no problems with my secret departure to the States. Nobody threatened their parents, there is no enmity, father and mother maintain good relations with Velichkin. I understand that I upset Magnitogorsk fans: first I signed a contract, and then I unexpectedly left. I hope that in time they will understand and forgive me.
What did you know before coming to the USA about Mario Lemieux? How was dinner at the home of the Pittsburgh owner?
Since childhood, I remember the games of Mario Lemieux in conjunction with Jaromir Jagr, when they twice took the Stanley Cup. It was a fantastic couple! I consider Lemieux the most outstanding NHL player, so before yesterday's dinner at his company I was very worried. But I was very well received in the house of Mario, and the excitement completely disappeared. Honestly, I did not expect such a simple relationship between the president of the club and the new hockey player.
Share your first impressions of your new team.
The first training session in Pittsburgh took place in a friendly atmosphere. I liked that the team has a lot of youth, all the guys are funny, they are joking a lot. They were waiting for me here. Defender Sergey Gonchar decided to become my mentor, in whose house I will live at first. As for the English language, which I have not yet mastered, Lemieux reassured me. He said that when he arrived in Pittsburgh in 1984 from French-speaking Montreal, he also did not understand a word in English. A good impression was made by the meeting with Sydney Crosby, whom I consider the most gifted NHL hockey player. He turned out to be a very friendly guy.
Are you ready to play on NHL venues that are smaller than European?
I already played at the North American ice rinks during the youth world championship in Vancouver and other tournaments. But to adapt to new sizes, of course, have to. Since childhood, I used to play in more spacious venues.
Boris TITOV