I guess they've cleaned it up since I was last there. In the 70's and 80's it was a stinking pit of despair. I absolutely agree that having a good billet situation is super important, as is being happy with the coach, teammates, and management. Surroundings really don't matter all that much...large amount of his time and energy is spent at the rink. Cold shouldn't bother. He's young, and Russian.
So what you are saying is that the cold doesn't bother him anyway?