CSKA1974
Registered User
My fellow HFboarders, below is my attempt to translate Medvedev's interview to a Russian media outlet Sportexpress.ru I tried to keep the style as close to the original as possible. Sometimes, it is very difficult to maintain that flow, however. Additionally, I did not yet have time to edit it, unfortunately. So, it might feel a little bit raw.
http://www.sport-express.ru/hockey/nhl/reviews/947654/
This interview was taken before the "Stars" game in Dulles by Natalia Shmeleva (N.S.)
N.S. How did it feel to start your NHL career at 33. You had said before that you did not see yourself in this league.
E.M. Perhaps, it’s from my old interviews. I had stopped considering playing here after signing a contract with “AK Bars”. But, as you can see, I came over to North America at the age of 33. As well as everyone, I have gone through an adaptation period here. I’ve got accustomed to a life pace as well as hockey pace.
N.S. Do you have a feeling that you should have come over earlier?
E.M. (Laughing) we never know what’s ahead (very loosely translated- no exact meaning).
N.S. Your scoring is more modest here than in KHL. Did you anticipate that?
E.M. I was completely dissatisfied with my game in the beginning of the season, there were too many mistakes. Now, I am more or less happy with my game. However, there is plenty to improve upon.
N.S. What’s your biggest impression of the NHL, life in the USA? What is the difference with Russia?
E.M. In absolutely everything! But mostly, hockey is so much faster here. There is a reason it’s the best league in the world with the world’s best players. I am grateful to the Flyers for their interest in me and for their patience with me. They have patiently waited while I was going through the adaptation period. They have tried their best to help me, to advise me. They have provided me with the opportunities to rest and to study games from above, so that I could understand game fundamentals.
N.S. There was a stereotype in Russia that Flyers hate Russians. Have you experienced anything like that?
E.M. My partners welcomed me to the team. They have provided me with the most support. I definitely have communication difficulties, but I keep moving forward with my English.
N.S. What about communication with coaches?
E.M. We talk. If I understand the question I do my best to answer. We have a dialogue and that’s the most important.
N.S. What’s your nick name?
E.M. Medi
N.S. So, they do not associate your name with Russian bear? (Medvedev last name can be loosely translated as bear (CSKA)).
N.S. I had offered them, but they declined. I do not know why.
N.S. Did your family arrive already?
E.M. I had lived without my family for 2 months, and I missed them dearly. They came over in October and helped me to get through the adaptation. My daughter has been going to a day care for about a month now. It seems that she speaks English better than me now. She will start correcting me soon.
N.S. What are the future plans?
E.M. I do not want to think about plans yet. But would want to stay and work here.
http://www.sport-express.ru/hockey/nhl/reviews/947654/
This interview was taken before the "Stars" game in Dulles by Natalia Shmeleva (N.S.)
N.S. How did it feel to start your NHL career at 33. You had said before that you did not see yourself in this league.
E.M. Perhaps, it’s from my old interviews. I had stopped considering playing here after signing a contract with “AK Bars”. But, as you can see, I came over to North America at the age of 33. As well as everyone, I have gone through an adaptation period here. I’ve got accustomed to a life pace as well as hockey pace.
N.S. Do you have a feeling that you should have come over earlier?
E.M. (Laughing) we never know what’s ahead (very loosely translated- no exact meaning).
N.S. Your scoring is more modest here than in KHL. Did you anticipate that?
E.M. I was completely dissatisfied with my game in the beginning of the season, there were too many mistakes. Now, I am more or less happy with my game. However, there is plenty to improve upon.
N.S. What’s your biggest impression of the NHL, life in the USA? What is the difference with Russia?
E.M. In absolutely everything! But mostly, hockey is so much faster here. There is a reason it’s the best league in the world with the world’s best players. I am grateful to the Flyers for their interest in me and for their patience with me. They have patiently waited while I was going through the adaptation period. They have tried their best to help me, to advise me. They have provided me with the opportunities to rest and to study games from above, so that I could understand game fundamentals.
N.S. There was a stereotype in Russia that Flyers hate Russians. Have you experienced anything like that?
E.M. My partners welcomed me to the team. They have provided me with the most support. I definitely have communication difficulties, but I keep moving forward with my English.
N.S. What about communication with coaches?
E.M. We talk. If I understand the question I do my best to answer. We have a dialogue and that’s the most important.
N.S. What’s your nick name?
E.M. Medi
N.S. So, they do not associate your name with Russian bear? (Medvedev last name can be loosely translated as bear (CSKA)).
N.S. I had offered them, but they declined. I do not know why.
N.S. Did your family arrive already?
E.M. I had lived without my family for 2 months, and I missed them dearly. They came over in October and helped me to get through the adaptation. My daughter has been going to a day care for about a month now. It seems that she speaks English better than me now. She will start correcting me soon.
N.S. What are the future plans?
E.M. I do not want to think about plans yet. But would want to stay and work here.
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