Russia doesn't like the NHL...and I don't blame them.

To increase the fanbase and world recognition of the National Hockey League they've been hosting Premiere Games the past 4 seasons. In these game two NHL teams are sent to different cities in Europe (Helsinki, Prague, and Stockholm to name a few) to play in exhibition games.

For the 2011 Premiere Games the NHL hinted at the Washington Capitals (and their captain, Moscow native Alexander Ovechkin) playing the New York Rangers in St. Petersburg. This would have been the first game played in Russia for the program.

Unfortunately, negotiations between the NHL and the Russian KHL have fallen through and I can completely understand why. The Kontinental Hockey League is in a state of disarray. It is not financially stable and teams are consistently on the verge of folding. Why would they want to promote their biggest competitor when they are so vulnerable? They are also demanding more money than the NHL is willing to shell out.

I'm waiting for the day I see stuff like THIS happen in an NHL game, though!

Russia wins gold in junior tournament...celebrate in typical fashion.

Every year the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) hosts international tournaments for U20 and over 20 players. The adult tournament usually occurs towards the beginning of summer, when regular seasons are over, and the youth tournament happens in December. This past tournament was a memorable one held in Buffalo, New York. A heated rematch between last year's silver (Canada) and gold (USA) medal winning teams was expected but the Russian team decided to give them a run for their money.

After losing to Canada in the preliminary rounds 6-3 nobody anticipated Canada to route the USA 4-1 to send the USA to the bronze medal match against Sweden and lead to a gold medal game between Russia and Canada.

The game started with total domination by Canada. The first period ended 3-0 and had the Russians sweating. By the end of the game, though, Russia had fought back to win it 5-3. Lots of crazy yelling ensued especially since the game was being broadcast on a national station in Russia. After all the excitement, the players celebrated like any athletes do...lots of drinking. They actually were kicked off of their flight back to Russia because of unruly (read: drunk) behavior. I want to party with those kids. They clearly know how to have fun.

What are you, a Russian spy or something?

If you watch ESPN (and know me at all) you can probably guess that I love this commercial. WELL, after watching it I noticed that Ovechkin distinctly says 'да' and they don't translate it. So, I asked Dr. Denner and with his help I figured out that Ovechkin says "чуть не спалились" which means 'we almost got caught' NOT 'too close.' Oh the little things you can catch when you understand a bit of Russian.

side note: The guy in the ceiling (Semyon Varlamov) is not very nice in person.

RECORDING w/ LEIGHA (...and my roommate)

the KHL: less Canadians, more uncertainty.

The Kontinental Hockey League (Континентальная Хоккейная Лига), or KHL, is the strongest organized hockey league in Europe. It's 23 teams come from Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Latvia, though most reside in Russia. Due to money problems within the league and teams, the fate of the league (like it's multiple predecessors) is constantly on the forefront.

Started in 2008 after the collapse of the Russian Super League (Чемпионат России Суперлига) that controlled European hockey from 1999-2008, the KHL is the second largest league in the world. The National Hockey League in North America is the only competition.

Though playing professional ice hockey (on any level) is impressive, even KHL players aspire to play in the NHL. High level players get a hefty salary and tend to receive benefits such as homes and cars paid for by the league, but would gladly give them up for the NHL. Playing for certain KHL teams also counted towards young men's required military service.

At the end of regular season play, a 16-team playoff occurs. The winners receive the Gagarian Cup (yes, named after the cosmonaut) and are referred to as the 'Champions of Russia.'

Some of the most recognized teams include Dynamo Moscow, AK Bars Kazan, and SKA St. Petersburg. Some of the biggest names in the NHL, including Ilya Bryzgalov, Pavel Bure, Alexander Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, Ilya Kovalchuck, and Valeri Kharlamov.

A rather entertaining website, called Hot Ice, is run about the league.

RECORDING [[With Leigha]]

Living in the Shadow of a Superstar

Evgeni Malkin (Евгений Малкин) is the 24-year-old second-line center for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was chosen second overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, but did not start his career until the 2006-2007 season in which he won the Calder Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the league's best rookie. In 2008, he helped his team beat the Detroit Red Wings to win the coveted Stanley Cup.

Malkin came from a family of hockey players. His father, Vladimir, was a defenseman for Metallurg Magnitogorsk (the same team he played his Russian Superleague seasons with) and his brother played in a farm league.

When the 2006-2007 season started, Malkin was stuck in a legal bind with the Russian Superleague which he later side-stepped and signed an entry-level contract with the Penguins. In his first pre-season game, on September 20th, he collided with his own teammate, which dislocated his shoulder and delayed his official debut until October 18th. During that game, he scored his first NHL goal against the New Jersey Devils and became the first player since the 1917-1918 season to score at least one goal in each of his first six games.

In 2009, he became the second Russian-born player (behind Ovechkin) to win the Art Ross Trophy which is awarded to the player who leads the league in scoring points. He had 113. Though he lives in the shadow of Sidney Crosby, the reining Canadian superstar in the NHL, he is well-known for his rumored feud with Ovechkin, who reportedly punched Geno's manager in a Russian night club (Even though they seem to be friends HERE).

However, he is known most notably for his pierogi making skills.

RECORDING with LEIGHA

the OTHER Alexander...

After coming off a hot finish in Saturday's game with a hat trick, I think a post about Alexander Semin (Александр Сёмин) is relevant.

Semin, or Sasha as he is referred to, was drafted 13th overall by t

he Washington Capitals in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, but played with Chelyabinsk-18 of the Russian Junior League, Chelyabinsk of the Russia-2 League, and Lada Togliatti of the Kontinental Hockey League for two seasons. During his rookie season in the NHL ('03-'04), he played in 52 games and recorded 22 points which lead all team rookies. However, during the 2004-2005 lockout, Semin returned to Togliatti and was suspended by the team and sued for not reporting to the Capitals' minor league affiliates for the season. He was also in hot water due to a miscommunication around the necessary two year military duty of all Russian men. Hockey players were allowed to play for their clubs as their service and Semin had only completed a year. By April of 2006, his military obligation had been fulfilled and he returned to the states.

Throughout his career in DC he has been quite consistent in his scoring, assists, and play. However, his weak spots are his lack of fighting skills (or amazing bongo abilities?) and his frequent stick penalties. Semin has also become best friends with "the more popular Alex," Ovechkin. (They even have a Secret Handshake!) He is much more subdued than his boisterous counter-part, rarely speaking English or doing post-game interviews, but he apparently enjoys Russian night life just as much. He is also quite the trickster ...and really likes gatorade and pizza.

[page 76] & [Written] ((RECORDED WITH ALINA))

#40 in the programs, #1 in our hearts...

With the season fast approaching (starting October 7th), many teams are making their final cuts and starter adjustments. One of the most problematic positions in Washington has been that of the goaltender, but a young Russian seems to be their best bet...

Semyon Varlamov [Семён Варламов] was drafted 23rd overall in the 1st round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. From 2006-2008, he played for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) before playing with the Washington Capitals’ minor league affiliates, the Hershey Bears for one season.

The 3rd year goaltender made his most impactful debut during the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoff during Game 2 of the series versus the New York Rangers (after starter Jose Theodore allowed 4 goals and a Loss in Game 1). After working out some kinks in his 1-0 loss, ‘Varly’ went on to help the Capitals win Games 3, 5, 6, & 7 to help the team advance to the second round.

After fighting for the starting spot, Theodore was released after the 09-10 season and Varly became the starter, thus changing his jersey from #40 to #1.

He is a respectable athlete, but a questionable Russian. When asked about partying (and drinking) he told the reporter that he did not drink vodka because he is an athlete. There are plenty of Russian-born NHL-ers who party and consume mass quantities of alcohol [see also, Alex Ovechkin]. Whatever works for him though.

Remember: High-Fives are a universal language, even to Varlamov! (Start @ 0:36)

[Composition B] [dialogue pg. 50] <---((Both with ZACH COLE))