Posts by Igor Kleyner

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Dmitry Orlov: “In the AHL It’s Like This: If You Can Fight – Fight, If You Can’t – Play”
Dmitry Orlov

Photo credit: Chris Gordon

A few weeks ago, Dmitry Orlov completed his third Capitals Development Camp, flying back to his hometown of Novokuznetsk immediately after its completion. The 20-year-old Orlov will continue to train in Russia until heading back to Washington in September for his first ever NHL training camp.

Three weeks ago, Sports.ru’s Andrey Osadchenko had a fascinating Q & A with Dima, with the Caps prospect going in-depth on his time in Hershey, who impressed him most at the AHL level, and his goals for the upcoming season. Orlov — who’s been involved in a few altercations during his time in the KHL — also revealed if anyone tried to fight him during his time with the Bears.

Below, RMNB’s Igor Kleyner translates the interview.

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By Igor Kleyner 12 years ago

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Evgeny Kuznetsov: “To Play in the AHL For 2-3 Years — That’s Not For Me”
Evgeny Kuznetsov Gold Medal

Despite winning gold at the World Junior Championships and putting up one of the best years ever recorded by a 18-year-old in Russia, Capitals prospect Evgeny Kuznetsov spent most of last year playing through pain. The reason? A nagging shoulder injury that never completely healed after offseason surgery.

So Kuznetsov, who revealed to reporters in December that he struggled doing push-ups, flew back to Germany and went under the knife again in April. Thirteen and a half weeks later — with a renegotiated contract with Traktor and wife in hand — Kuznetsov seems optimistic of a full recovery.

Sport.ru’s Andrey Osadchenko recently spoke with the now 19-year-old and the two discussed a variety of topics. Most notably for Caps fans, Kuznetsov said that he has been looking at real estate in the D.C. area and plans to play for the Capitals in 2012-13.

Below, RMNB’s Igor Kleyner has your translation.

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By Igor Kleyner 12 years ago

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Photos and Video: Alex Ovechkin Honored with Hat and Burka at Halftime of Russian Soccer Game
Alex Ovechkin

Photos via FC Anzhi Makhachkala’s official site

For a lot of us, Makhachkala, Dagestan would have been a pretty safe answer to the question “Where in the world will you not find Alex Ovechkin this summer?” Apparently, a lot of us would have been wrong, as Alex the Great made a surprise appearance during halftime of a soccer match between the Russian Premier League club Anzhi and the defending Russian champions Zenit Saint Petersburg. The local team, Anzhi, honored their guest by presenting him with a traditional Dagestani burka (cape) and papakha (wool hat), as well as the Anzhi supporters scarf. All of these items fit extremely well with one ever-present feature of Alex summer wardrobe — his flip-flops, as reported live by the official Zenit Twitter. Ovi was received with a deafening roar from the stands, with the soccer-themed chants temporarily replaced by the famous Russian hockey call of “Shaibu-Shaibu!”

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By Igor Kleyner 12 years ago

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Dmitry Orlov: “My Agent Gave Me Rosetta Stone”
Dmitry Orlov Caps Development Camp

Dima speaks with Igor after Saturday’s scrimmage (Photo credit: Chris Gordon)

At his third Capitals Development Camp last week, Russian defenseman Dmitry Orlov not only showed off a little bit of his well-known offensive side, but a hard-hitting, physical game as well, laying out a couple massive checks during the week. And though the soon-to-be 20 year-old has begun to adjust his game to the North American style of play, Orlov said getting used to the change in language and cultural will still take some time.

For now, Dima is heading back to his hometown of Novokuznetsk, where his training for next season will resume, before heading back to Washington in September. After the final scrimmage of camp on Saturday, RMNB’s Igor Kleyner was able to talk to Orlov, who dished on his new English teacher, his hopes for next season, and more.

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By Igor Kleyner 12 years ago

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Dmitry Orlov: “In the Playoffs, It’s All About the Team”

Dima participates in a drill during the first day of Development Camp.

Photos by Chris Gordon

When Metallurg Novokuznetsk’s season ended in early February without a playoff berth, Dmitry Orlov had two options. He could finish the year in Russia again with Metallurg’s MHL affiliate, the Novokuznetsk Bears, or begin his professional career in North America. After dominating the KHL’s junior circuit and winning the Davydov trophy as the MHL Playoff MVP in 2009-10, Dima needed a new challenge. So he negotiated an agreement with his KHL club and flew over to America to sign a contract with the Washington Capitals.

On February 27th, Orlov impressed fans and media alike in his AHL debut against the Albany Devils. Not only did he register a point in his first game as a Hershey Bear, he inspired The Patriot-News’s Tim Leone to exclaim,”That’s the best first 20 minutes from a 19-year-old D I’ve ever seen in this league.” Orlov went on to score his first AHL goal — ten days later — on March 9th against the Worchester Sharks and finished the year with nine points in 19 games.

After taking a brief vacation in Turkey, the defensive prospect is back in America, and participating in his third Development Camp. So far, the reports are positive.

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By Igor Kleyner 12 years ago

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Alex Ovechkin has Vladimir Putin’s Phone Number

In this 2009 photo, Ovi and the rest of the Russian national team pose with Putin.

By all accounts, Alex Ovechkin is enjoying his offseason — really, I mean it, he’s thrilled. And while fellow Russian Semyon Varlamov contemplates his future, the Great Eight has been spending his time club-hopping in Moscow and vacationing in Turkey, a hot spot for Ruskies on their summer holiday. In between all this, however, Ovi found time to talk to Pavel Lysenkov for Argumenti.ru about getting Vladimir Putin’s digits, the Russian press and more.

Below, RMNB’s Igor Kleyner has the translation.

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By Igor Kleyner 12 years ago

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Dmitry Orlov: “Having Been to Washington, I See What I Should Strive For”
Dmitry Orlov during warm-ups with the Hershey Bears

Orlov in action with the Hershey Bears (Photo credit: Ian Oland).

The 2010-11 season was a whirlwind for young defenseman Dmitry Orlov. The Novokuznetsk, Russia native started the season at Capitals Development Camp in July before going on to play for the Kontinental Hockey League’s Metallurg Novokuznetsk, tallying two goals and 10 assists in the regular season. In December, Orlov joined Team Russia at the World Junior Championships. The Caps’ 2009 second-round pick was a standout, playing on Russia’s top defensive pairing and being named first-team all WJC as the Ruskies went on to win the gold medal.

Metallurg, however, had an awful season, finishing with the worst record in the KHL. Instead of joining Metallurg’s minor league club, the Novokuznetsk Bears, at the end of the season, Orlov reached an agreement to play for the Capitals’ AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears. Orlov played in 25 games for the Bears, including six in the postseason, tallying two goals and eight assists.

Below, Igor translates Orlov’s interview with Metallurg’s official site, where the 19 year-old discusses his first season in North America and what next year holds.

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By Igor Kleyner 13 years ago

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Chris Simon: Being a Tough Guy is Serious & Respectable Choice
Chris Simon

A portrait of Chris Simon taken by the KHL’s official magazine, Hot Ice

After leaving the Washington Capitals in 2002, Chris Simon played for five different NHL clubs over the following seven seasons. He received four suspensions during that time, including a 25-game ban for slashing Ryan Hollweg in the face and a 30-game sit down for tripping Jarkko Ruutu and then stomping on his leg with his skate.

In 2008, Simon opted to have a clean slate and joined the KHL. He signed with the league’s toughest team, Vityaz Chekhov. Known as the “Indian” among Vityaz fans, Simon quickly became a fan favorite and was named captain of the team. With Vityaz, he participated in the mega-brawl against Avangard Omsk, which resulted in both teams accumulating 600 PIM and a cancellation of the match. However, Simon’s scoring totals steadily grew every year in the KHL (eight goals in 2008-09, 13 in 2009-10 and 16 in 2010-11) and he was recently named to the 2011 KHL All-Star Game. Rumors that he would be traded at the deadline were circulating and finally, five days before the All-Star Game, he was traded to UHC Dynamo Moscow, who were looking to add some grit to their line-up for the playoffs. The second seed in the East, Dynamo was upset by Dinamo Riga in the first-round in a heart-breaking six-game series. Shortly after, Sport-Express spoke with the former Cap.

Below the jump, RMNB’s Igor Kleyer has translated the rare Simon interview. The 39 year-old talks about what it was like to learn Russian, who helped him settle in with his new team and why he decided to become a “tough guy” in the first place.

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By Igor Kleyner 13 years ago

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Semyon Varlamov: “Something Weird is Going on With Me”
Varlamonster

Photo credit: RMNB’s Chris Gordon

After the Capitals dramatic 5-4 (SO) victory against the Flyers Tuesday, Soviet Sport correspondent N. Bragilevskaya caught up with Caps goalie Semyon Varlamov. Varly, who is now healthy and awaiting word of his next start in net, spoke extensively to Bragilevskaya about his struggles with injury, what’s plaguing Alex Ovechkin — if anything — and what the coaches have told him about who will be the starting netminder in the playoffs.

Below the jump, RMNB’s Igor Kleyner has your translation.

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By Igor Kleyner 13 years ago

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Video: Evgeny Kuznetsov and Fiancee Talk About Future Wedding

Last week, Soviet Sport correspondent Alexei Mikushin caught up with Evgeny Kuzetsov and his lovely fiancee Nastia. The young couple, who was spotted in what looks to be a parking lot, commented on the state of their relationship and upcoming wedding.

If you’ll pardon our blatant rumor mongering, Evgeny Kuznetsov’s wedding is very much worth talking about. By June 3rd, Kuznetsov will only be 19-years old. While this may seem a little ‘Old World’ — the two are tying the knot after dating for just five months — there are no reports suggesting that a prenuptial agreement includes Nastia’s prospective price in goats and fine linens. Dowry jokes aside, this expedited courtship could have practical ramifications stateside.

Given his recent ambivalence in interviews about playing in the NHL after, at least another season with Traktor, the early wedding could indicate the couple plans to move to Washington as early as the 2012-13 season. Leagally, a pre-departure wedding would insure a much smoother transition should Nastia want to accompany Kuzetsov to the states. And taking into account the comparisons other Russian Caps have made between Russian and American women, maybe Kuzya’s just planning ahead.

Below the jump, RMNB’s Igor Kleyner has translated the entire article and video.

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By Igor Kleyner 13 years ago

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