Alex Semin, Krasnoyarsk
By Andrei Moskov, kp.ru, August 11, 2010:
Alexander, can you tell more about that hype on the Internet when you said that Cindy Crossby is far from the best player... [it's exactly how it was spelled in Russian: "Синди Кроссби" - tj]
I have never said that! It's just happened because the reporters like to make a hype out of nothing. At that time I said that I liked the style of other players, not Crosby's.
And who do you think is the best player in the NHL at the moment?
Sasha Ovechkin plays very well. I like Ilya Kovalchuk, Pavel Datsyuk. Pasha, his style is probably better than anyone's.
Photo by Alexander Chernykh, Aug. 11, 2010
So, you advocate the Russian hockey school, but you can play NHL hockey as well?
Well, how else! Over there, there's no other way, you should be able to stand up for yourself!
How's your wrist injury?
Everything is ok. It is fully recovered.
How long lasts the vacation of a professional hockey player?
Depends on when the team finished the season. This season Washington was knocked off in the first round and that's it, vacation started. But then we went to the World Cup, so vacation began only after it.
How do you rest here in Krasnoyarsk?
I am meeting with my friends. We go to the Krasnoyarsk Sea, I was at the lake Bele.
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Do you come every year in Krasnoyarsk, do you feel the home attraction?
I was born here. I left when I was fifteen. Here I have relatives, friends and acquaintances. I like to come here.
Now you have a condo in another part of a city. Do you feel nostalgic for an old place?
Sometimes I stop there. But there is almost no one there from my old friends. A lot of them left.
And of those with whom you played hockey as a kid, do you meet them?
They are still involved in hockey, they are playing on an amateur level.
Where do you think is better to put the child, to more fashionable sports or wherever he wants?
I think, only where he wants. Why make him do what he does not like?
Did your father ever forced you to play?
No, he didn't. As a child I played hockey, bandy and soccer in the summer. Always played some games. Always liked it.
Do you keep in shape in the summer?
I play soccer. YOu have to take a break from hockey!
It is hard to get in shape later?
Of course it's hard. But one week is enough for me. Actually it's impossible to totaly lose shape in two months.
What do you feel about the sports clothing with your name and number? Are you flattered or do you think that for $40 everyone has the right to be Alexander Semin number 28?
It's OK, the club sells your jerseys. And what could be wrong about it! I am rather pleased that someone is wearing your jersey. The strangers greet you. I think it is flattering to any player.
When they don't recognize you, do you find it frustrating?
If they didn't recognize you, so be it. Maybe they don't like hockey. It happens.
What gift from the fans do you remember most?
A girl in America has given me the photo album, there are my photos from the very childhood. I don't know where she had found them, there were even those that I don't remember. The album was very nice, all well done, adorned, signed. Nice.
Can you describe yourself on the ice in two words?
I don't know what I'm on the ice. I just play. Maybe I feel like one person, but I appear to others different. It's up to you.
What are you in life?
Well ... Confident. Calm. Balanced.
The fans and especially female fans are interested in your personal life. Do you still live in the suburbs in Washington?
The house is in ten minutes' drive from the city.
Who runs the house?
My parents live with me, if I hire someone, my mother will have nothing to do, she doesn't have too many friends there. The father, when he first came to the States, asked me a week later to buy him a return ticket. But this year I left and they stayed there. My Dad discovered fishing there. When I have free time I go with him.
How often your Mom cooks you your favorite food?
Yes, she sculpts pelmeni. You can buy them there, of course, but it is not the same.
Have you invited your team for a Russian cuisine?
The guys always come. We often have full house.
How are you with your English? I know that you did not have much desire to learn it...
I wouldn't say that I can speak good English, but I can easily understand everything they say. And if needed I can talk. If there are any problems, it doesn't embarrass me. But I give interviews only in Russian.
Do you like to give interviews?
This is a part of my jobk. But after each game they usually ask the same thing again and again. It's annoying.
Is your heart available? No marriage plans?
Not yet. Probably haven't met the one and only yet.
Or don't have enough?
I don't know. Probably every man has it his the blood.
What would you like to say to your fans, readers of "Komsomolskaya Pravda"?
Read about us. Root for us. And we will do everything possible to please you.
Source: http://www.krsk.kp.ru/daily/24538/718036/
Nietzsche once said: "Anything that does not kill me makes me stronger." Did the outcome for Russian team at the Olympics and the second place at the World Cup make you stronger?
Of course. Next time we will be more angry, more aggressive, stronger.
Is the reason for a failure a lack of anger?
Not only it. Somewhere, someone made a mistake, didn't work hard enough and then the result. We didn't have enough of something, it is difficult to say now. Hockey is a team game, we lose together and win too.
But you worked hard!
Yes. But this time they were more fortunate, the next time we'll have a better luck.
After the last year when you were late to the national team, how was your relationship with Vyacheslav Bykov?
I just could not go, we were in the playoffs. [He didn't understand the question about being late to the team Russia training camp - tj] Vyacheslav Arkad'evich understood it. And he is always happy to see us and we, in turn, are happy to play for Russia.
This season you rarely had a game without penalties, have you decided to play more physical?
Well, I had a season like that, I don't even know why.
At the same time you are considered one of the best snipers...
Well, there have to be some dividends! (laughs)
This is what I am saying; you can surely dictate your terms with such results. Do you have plans to change the team?
I have one more year with Washington. And then we'll see. If there will be a good offer from the Washington Capitals, I am sure I'll stay. Why to think about it now? The season will show.
What about Russia? I am sure you've got the offers...
We'll see. It depends on what kind of offers I will get. My agent takes care of it.
[The next question is about "Cindy Crossby" which is on top of this post, and so on from there. -tj]
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29 comments:
Thanks for posting the translation. I was trying to decipher the google translate version. Could you also watch the video in that interview? He mentioned Ovechkin a few times so I wondered if he was talking about something that wasn't written.
AB,
I posted the rest. I didn't want to, but you've forced me. :-)
Thanks tj, so the video is just what was written in the interview. I was curious about his comments on the WC and Bykov, and they didn't translate well in google, so thanks for completing the translation. Semin always has interesting interviews.
I was surprised to see that Bykov was resigned as the coach for the Russia team. I thought he did a very poor job in the Olympics and WC. Not looking good for the Russians in Sochi 2014 in my opinion.
Thank you for this! I was wondering what was going on with Alex Semin during the offseason since we haven't heard anything about him, and thanks for the translation! :D
As I had guessed, he was chillin in Krasnoyarsk! lol I like that picture of him at the beginning... <3
It's good to hear from him though, seems like he's determined and everything. He looks really good too! Yay!
@Mango: Yes, "looks really good" indeed. Funny how I managed to jumble up those three words so that they mean something else completely.
Thanks for the translation tj! I'm so glad to finally hear from Semin this summer. He looks adorable in the pic too :)
Aside from Russia House and a handful of other places with some Russian food selections I don't think you can get pelmeni around here. All the dumplings I see are from other cultures. Plus, even in Russia, it seems each family or region has their own version of pelmeni.
Someone needs to give Sasha's father a book on the best fishing spots in America so he can visit them all. LOL
The main reason I decided to translate was a shocking comment that Semin left the states and his parents stayed. They are getting americanized! Assimilation is going well so far. His Dad must be very smart because he was CFO at the big industrial plant in Krasnoyarsk. I won't be surprised if he already speaks better English than Semin.
On 'sculpting' pelmeni: that's a typical Siberian slang, I don't think Moscovites say like that.
TJ, I've seen the comment about his parents staying in America in a previous interview Semin gave at the WC. Russian reporter asked if his parents were there in Germany (I think because they traveled to Vancouver for the Olympics), but Semin said they were still back in America. Around the same time I saw a girl posting on twitter who is Semin's neighbor in Arlington (unfortunately I didn't follow her so I don't know who it is to check for updates, but I think Emily knows her). The neighbor girl said there was some work being done on Semin's house so I wondered if his parents stayed to take care of that. But perhaps they actually stayed because they now like America better! Very interesting development. I find it funny to picture Semin fishing in the Potomac or some lake with his dad.
"A girl in America has given me the photo album, there are my photos from the very childhood. I don't know where she had found them, there were even those that I don't remember. The album was very nice, all well done, adorned, signed. Nice."
Sounds like a stalker to me.
@mkat,
My thought too. Sounded more freaky than nice.
"Cindy Crosby"--ROFL!
@TJ: thanks for the complete translation
@AB: I totally agree about Bykov. IMO he is the #1 reason for Team Russia's failure to medal in Vancouver. Sadly, with him as coach I don't expect things to change in Sochi in 2014.
@mkat83 and O: the red flag of a stalker went up for me too
No girlfriend?
for those if you Russian or know more about Russia than I do.. why did the reporter ask him about fans wearing numbered jerseys? Was b/c he thinks Americans spend money on dumb things or b/c wearing someone's no. seems wierd to them ie stalkerish or uncool? We went to a game with a Russian acquaintance who would not acknowledge the players existance b/c "it isnt how Russians act.." so I wondered if Russians think that its wierd (he's a teenager thus one cant assume this reaction is because he is Russian or just because he is a teen if you know what I mean).. after the game he talked about Varly's mask nonstop so he was clearly excited to have a new connection to his country..
When we were in Russia lst year and we wore an Ovi shirt we got a lot of attn from random people walking by.. I didn't expect it.. it was interesting though to be able to talk to total strangers about the home team.. nice too to have some reason to get to talk to people and find out about them.
Well, I do know that NHL sweaters are a luxury in Russia - hard to get and expensive. Knockoffs are starting to appear though. As for KHL sweaters, I don't know. Over all, from what I've seen on tv, it seems like sweater/jersey wearing is a new thing in Russia no matter what the sport.
Speaking of Ilya Kovalchuk, what's up next for him? An arbitrator upheld the NHL's rejection of the mega contract with the NJ Devils. The Devils reportedly want to keep Kovy, so I guess it's back to the contract drawing board for them.
I think sasha always has interesting interviews, but i dont think he would tell absolutely true facts about his life. So he keeps himself interesting and private
@BobbyG: Last I heard about Kovalchuk-the other day- was that basically, NJ is trying to write up another-legal- contract for him, but SKA (Petersburg) has also offered-though quite relaxed from the sounds of it- to give him contract from 1 to 8 years, through his own accord. Essensially meaning he can choose the length and probably have reasonable say in amount as well.
They (SKA) have said they want it to be his choice- no pressure- they will accommodate him if he so chooses to sign with them by way of luxury tax if need be.
I haven't heard much on the NJ end, though I suspect he hasn't talked to either party yet-then, hopefully has now to some degree- from the sounds of it. Both his agent and his mother have said he is in "good spirits" and not worried about it.
Either way, I haven't been following it much- despite what it may look like lol, I just have people who tell me things- so things may have changed. I wish him good luck with whatever happens, but am honestly glad it didn't go through. Security is one thing, but that's a bit much imo.
*Also, I'd like to point out how STACKED SKA would be with him, Nabakov, Afinogenov added to Yashin and co. omg! They'd squash the 'canes in that mix game! Probably would if he signs or not, pretty deep team this year! Too bad their not my KHL team! lol
Anyway, I like Semin's interviews too. Though I understand completely why he doesn't, I wish he did english interviews once in a while. Instead, I will learn Russian for him! lol Was going to anyway, but very much encouraged to so I can understand his pretty voice! lol
Also, I'd like to point out I found this quote in tumblr while creeping pics to prove he is a cutie lol (best if you don't ask)
Ovechkin answering if you didn't get that btw:
"Is Backstrom your best friend on the team?
“No, my closest friend is Semin.”
At first sight he doesn’t seem like you at all.
“Only outsiders think that, those who don’t know him well. Actually, it really is an open question which one of us is more “like me.” Sema is a really fun guy to hang out with, he always gets into adventures… Once, in San Jose, we messed up a hotel room, had to pay a hundred dollars extra for it. There were bananas everywhere, we were throwing the peel at each other. Had a pillow fight, destroyed all the pillows. Poured Coca-Cola all over the floor. “
I don't know when it's from, but it's freaking adorable and makes me want to be friends with both of them, but outside of my place. lol
This is the second or third time I've heard of their pillow-fighting-juice/drink-pouring activities. Though when Semin talked about it before, he said they poured juice over each other lol Aww, now imagine Backstrom there. I picture pop/juice-coloured post-blond hair in that future lol
Sorry, I just thought of that now. =0) I = nerd.
@Mango: thanks for the update on Kovalchuk. I guess we will have to wait to see what happens.
As for the rest--I'd pay $100 for a pillow and banana fight with Ovie and Semin! If Backstrom was there too, all the better. And then to pour Coke and juice over the three of them and...OMG. LOL!
There was another comment by Backstrom. In his rookie season he was Ovechkin's roommate on the road because Semin was injured and didn't play/travel for quite a long time. So when Semin was about to return, I think, Tarik asked Backstrom about it, and Backie said: "I guess I have to sleep on the coach"
@mango I've read that interview somewhere before. I also read one where Semin said Ovie was like his brother. When Backstrom signed his extension this summer, Ovie's quote about it said Nicky was one of his best friends.
Last year Nicky, Ovie, Green went to a skins game and a reporter asked Nicky about wearing a Sean Taylor jersey. He said he usually wore a Santana Moss jersey, but he slept over at Ovie's the next before, so he wore Ovie's Sean Taylor jersey. The folks at Japers' found it quite amusing to picture the guys having sleepovers. Then Emily said she liked to picture the young guns as puppies that just played together and then fell asleep exhausted in a pile at whoever's place that happened to be. Ever since then, I remember the young guns puppy pile:)
Pillow fights, sharing clothes (a lot), slumber parties.... gosh, for such big, manly men, these guys can be real girls sometimes!
Regarding the interview, in general, and #28 jersey, in particular… The reporter is so inarticulate and sometimes unable to finish and appropriately phrase his questions, that Semin has to extrapolate and jump in with the answers to save the day. He also, in a way, provokes Semin with the jersey question which implies that for 40 bucks anyone can become Semin. He does not get that wearing jersey is the sign of appreciation/adoration of a particular player, and not the sign of mistaken identity. I sincerely apologize for the current state of Russian journalism, some time ago glorious… Almost all Russians visiting DC specifically request and leave with Ovechkin’s Caps jersey, as NHL does not ship to Russia and made-in-China fake stuff looks awful. So, @anon Aug 12, Russians do not think that Americans spend money on stupid hockey things, they just wish they could do it too
@ BobbyG: Is it bad that I would too? =0)
@tj: Yeah, though I'm sure he's still bff with Semin and I'm sure he didn't mean he didn't like Backstrom, his relationship with Nicklas has surely grown a lot since then. They even seem closer on the ice.
@mkat: Why not, it's fun! =0P
@Anon: Thanks for the insight.
I did sort of get the idea that he was badgering him a little, especially with the jersey and the national team question as well-which could have made things bad for him if Slava took it the wrong way- I mean, yes interesting to get his perspective, but it'd be easy enough to answer wrong and mess thigns up. Kinda like the Crosby thing, it was taken the wrong way and blown up.
The hotel destruction - another reason why I think Sasha brings out the worst in Ovie. I think Ovie would be better off without Sasha around all the time.
They should have also had to experience being hotel housekeeping for a day. It is a thankless job and paying for damages doesn't cover everything.
tj said:
On 'sculpting' pelmeni: that's a typical Siberian slang, I don't think Moscovites say like that.
- not at all. I'm from Moscow and my mom used to do 'sculpting' pelmeni regularly. It's a common Russian expression.
I've seen the comment about his parents staying in America in a previous interview Semin gave at the WC. Russian reporter asked if his parents were there in Germany (I think because they traveled to Vancouver for the Olympics), but Semin said they were still back in America. Around the same time I saw a girl posting on twitter who is Semin's neighbor in Arlington (unfortunately I didn't follow her so I don't know who it is to check for updates, but I think Emily knows her). The neighbor girl said there was some work being done on Semin's house so I wondered if his parents stayed to take care of that. But perhaps they actually stayed because they now like America better! Very interesting development. I find it funny to picture Semin fishing in the Potomac or some lake with his dad.
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