Ovechkin wins Kharlamov Trophy for the 4th time in a row

 

The Kharlamov Trophy award ceremony





Photos by SovSport.

Previous winners:

2003 Sergei Fedorov
2004 Ilya Kovalchuk
2005 lockout
2006 Alex ovechkin
2007 Alex ovechkin
2008 Alex ovechkin
2009 Alex ovechkin


By Pavel Lysenkov at the Kharlamov trophy award ceremony, June 9, 2009, SovSport.ru:

Alexander, are you coming to the pre-Olympics training camp which will be held in late August at Hodynka arena? Have you already asked Washington management's permission?
No, not at all. This will be in the summer before the training camp. I don't think that there will be any claims from their side. We'll go to the camp, spend some time and train together, what's wrong with it?

But Chicago's goalkeeper Nikolai Khabibulin noted that the wrong time was selected, at the end of August he already would have to start in America for the training, rather than fly to the other side of the world for three days.
I do not know about Kolya [Nikolai]... Well, I will be in Moscow until the last day, I'll go to Washington on September 12 or 13. I've already agreed that I'll be at the pre-Olympics camp.

Can you name three best NHL Russians of this season? Not just the regular season, but also the playoffs.
First place -- Malkin. Then Pasha Datsyuk and Andrei Markov.

What about Alexander Ovechkin?
I don't count myself. You may think that I stand above all (Alex laughed).

Who do you think will win Stanley Cup?
Detroit.

You are not a fan of Penguins, are you? There are more Russians in that team.
You shouldn't look at the passport. I think the guys have already accumulated a lot of fatigue. I can see how they all play with injuries, on pain killers. Maybe they think about ending the season as soon as possible...

Are you ready for the next year to be in their place?
We were ready in these playoffs. But it was not the fate... We couldn't stop Pittsburgh. Apparently we didn't have enough experience. Penguins players have a lot of experience. They have learned from the last year the way to the Stanley Cup finals, and how to evade the pressure. But Detroit is the most experienced team in the NHL. They all know how to deter the star players like Malkin and Crosby.

Did you envision these teams in the finals?
I thought it would be Boston and San Jose. But as you know one team lost in the quarter finals to Carolina, the other lost even in the first round to Anaheim. So it doesn't mean anything where would you finish in the regular season. I say again, Detroit will win. These guys know how to play with fatigue. But I am not rooting for anyone in the finals. This is simply a prognosis.

Viktor Kozlov has signed a three-year contract with Salavat Yulaev.
He told me that he was leaving Washington. I wish him only the best of luck. Together we have spent two great years. We played on one line. He is a great partner, an awesome guy.

And also Sergei Fedorov goes to Magnitogorsk.
I don't know about that. I haven't spoken to him yet. But Sergei promised to come to Moscow soon.

What are your vacation plans?
Going soon to Las Vegas to NHL awards ceremony...

Are you nervous over the ceremony?
Not really. It is already known that I am the best sniper. Got one trophy. And how it will continue, I don't know. The main thing is that the Hart Trophy has three Russian nominees: Malych [Malkin] and Datsyuk. One of us will be recognized as the most valuable hockey player.

And still who it will be?
I would like to get the Hart (Ovechkin laughs). And if I am excluded, then let Malkin get it. I'm not greedy.

Who would like to play with on the same line at the Olympics?
I don't know, let coaches deal with it. But, probably they'd put Malkin and Sema (Semin) on my line. And maybe Datsyuk will center me.

Have you managed to watch a film about Kharlamov, who was played by Alexei Chadov?
Yes, Sema and I watched it a bit when we were on the road in Miami. Of course I personally was not familiar with the Valery Kharlamov. Chadov played him as good as he could. All was done at a high level. Although it was difficult for him, Alexei can barely skate.

And who would you agree to play if you were invited to play in the movie?
Of course, Valery Kharlamov (Alex smiled). I am receiving his award for the fourth time.

Update: video and more pics in the next post...

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