What’s been the biggest difference you’ve found between hockey in Russia and hockey in North America?

In Russia, it’s more skills. In North America, it’s more hitting, more physical. There’s probably more speed than in Russia, but I think Russia is more skill. there are more beautiful goals. The game here is much faster because you play in a smaller area. You don’t have a lot of room for a lot of skill. In Russia, we are proud of our skills.

You have a knack for making people miss out on the ice. How did you develop that skill?

Probably because I always run from hits. My mom took me to acrobatics when I was young, to help me with coordination. I’m pretty good at jumping on a trampoline, I can do all the flips and things. Six years, i went to acrobatics. I went there, only to watch the girls there, but my mother said that I really liked it.

Wherever you’ve gone, you’ve always liked to put yourself out there as a community-oriented. What about that is so appealing?

I like to talk to people. I like to do the stuff for the organization, I like to go out and see the fans. It’s just the way I am. Here, I have nothing really to do. I am studying still back home in Russia, so that gives me the time. I like to be nice to the people for coming to our games. I appreciate that they come to the games.

What is it about hockey that you like so much, and what is your ultimate goal?

Win the Stanley Cup, and Olympics, probably, for Russia. I think there is no, you can’t say, ‘the highest level’ in hockey, because there’s always still something you can earn. For me,, the best would be winning a Stanley Cup, and then the best would be winning five Stanley Cups. Better than that would be 10 Stanley Cups. But it’s true, you can win 20 or 22. I know it’s impossible, but still, you don’t ever have the highest possible. I just want to be a successful player in the NHL for 20 years. That would be great.

This year is really the first time you’ve been with a team for a full season in the Q. Has that changed or helped your game at all, to play a full season in one spot?

Here, I’ve found my home. I think this is the greatest place to play in the Q. Things changed here, I became more a team player, I care about the team more, I backcheck more now. Everything happens for a reason.