Over the summer, former Capitals young gun Alex Semin surprised the hockey world when word leaked out that he would pursue a master’s degree in the Theory and Technology of Non-Ferrous Metallurgy.

In late August, Semin passed his entrance exam and was officially accepted into Siberian Federal University, receiving a state-funded position in the university’s Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals and Materials Science program. He begins classes on September 1st.

But in a recent interview with Championat’s Darya Tuboltseva, the 33-year-old star was adamant that his hockey career is not over.

“I did [college] with an eye on the future,” Semin said to Tuboltseva as translated by Igor Kleyner. “If anybody was thinking that I was finished with hockey and switching to studying, that is not the case.

“One can combine both,” Semin continued. “They will provide me with a personalized study program so that I can keep playing. A degree is never a bad thing, it will definitely come in handy in 10 years or so.”

Semin’s entrance exam was on August 1. The famous hockey player had to answer three questions in writing. In total, 11 topics and 30 questions were offered. According to Sibnovosti.ru, the applicant’s knowledge is expected in subjects such as metal ingot crystallization, refining of metal alloys, and pressurized die casting. To have a chance to be admitted, an applicant must register a score higher than 41 points out of 100.

Semin did just that, tallying a 71 – the 8th highest among the applicants for the program.

He admitted, however, he was nervous during the process.

“A little. They had told me what to read and what to study up on, I wrote whatever I know,” Semin said. “Seems like it all worked out, and I am accepted.”

Despite the KHL season already beginning, Semin hopes to soon latch on with another team later in the year.

“Of course! I have not payed in a long time, for now I am practicing with Sokol” Semin said. “To practice is not the same as to play though, the latter is better. But for now I don’t have another option, I am waiting for offers.”

Over the offseason, Semin was surprisingly not offered a contract by another KHL club, including his former team Metallurg Magnitogorsk. While Semin was one of the KHL’s top 40 goal-scorers in the regular season — tallying 16 goals in 58 KHL games — he disappeared in the playoffs, tallying only two points in 18 games.

At one point, Semin went goal-less in 23-straight games. Fans and journalists turned on the former NHL star, nicknaming Semin The Champion of Penalties. Semin went to the penalty box for a minor penalty in nearly every game he played in during the streak.

In May, Metallurg announced that Semin would not return to the organization and that management of the club did not want to renew his contract. The team’s official website thanked Semin for his time in the organization and wished him good luck in the future.

As for right now, the hockey player will happily move on to his schooling, hoping an offer comes in the future. There is just only one problem.

“I cannot even pronounce my focus, it has such a long name!” Semin joked.

Headline photo: KHL