Ovechkin: We must look forward

Alexander Ovechkin went out on the ice for the first time after that unfortunate for him last season. He appeared at his alumni training facility in Novogorsk in a new capacity as an adviser to the president of Dynamo United Mikhail Tyurkin. Ovechkin had a team Russia red helmet a new white jersey with the classic emblem of his alumni club, a letter "D" and number 10. This is what Dynamo United will be wearing in the upcoming season in KHL. However, there was no jersey with the name Ovechkin, the apparent omission by the organizers. The hockey star had to borrow a sweater with the name "M. Tyurkin.


Ovechkin and Dynamo's president M. Tyurkin (right). July 21, 2010. Photo by Fedor Uspensky.


"Who's against me and Sasha," joked reminding us about the old anecdote Dynamo's president in front of the television and still cameras. The team, where in addition to Tyurkin twins were Komarov (Russian Finn - tj) and Dvurechensky, locked their opponents, the veterans of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in their zone almost for good. Ovechkin was on the ice for just half an hour and then he went to the locker room.

"It's enough for the first time," said Ovechkin on the way. "My hands and my feet now remember what hockey is. But I've rested enough, how much longer can you? It's time to start moving. And since I was invited by such people, you have to come."

Rashid Nurgaliev, the minister of Interior Affairs was missing among "such people", he was too busy to get to Novogorsk.

Have you stepped on the ice in the new capacity?
Yes, I am now an advisor to the president. Mikhail Leonidych (Tyurkin) asked me and I agreed. This is my alumni club. This is good for me and good for Dynamo.

A lot of Dynamo fans are not ready yet to recognized the unified Dynamo team.
When I first heard back in America that the former Dynamo will be no more, I was in shock. But back then it was a total uncertainty about the future of the club. But our friends, who are familiar with the new leadership of the club, told about them nothing but good. They will do everything to make the team to be the best.

What about you, is the current Dynamo the club that you left?
They have the same Dynamo's logo, the colors are the same as well. The team is training in Novogorsk. There's a change in power, in people, but the club remains the same. Nobody wants to lose the traditions of Dynamo, nobody. As for the fans, I can say they are the main thing for any team. And I want to tell them, this is the real Dynamo team. Come and root for the team.

What is included in your advisor's role?
Whatever I am asked about I am here to help. The main thing that must be good for the club. If they want to talk about the players, I can tell what I know. Something else, no problem as well. I only want Dynamo to benefit from this.

What are your short term plans?
For now I am planning to work out in the gym. I'll start training on the ice later. For now I am going to train once a week at most. And I won't go to Peter[sburg], as I did last year.

Have you ever train with the President of the club before the season?
No, of course not. I've never had this with such people. Although it doesn't change anything in preparation for the next season.

Have you tried to convince the owner of the Capitals Ted Leonsis to put the skates on in Washington?
Haven't tried yet. I am not sure what will come of out of it (laughs).

Have you overseen the epic Kovalchuk's contract negotiations?
Of course! But I thought Ilya would choose Los Angeles. But I believe that he made the right decision by signing a long-term contract with New Jersey. Their club is one of the favorites in recent years. Kovalchuk wants to win, now he has a chance.

Were you surprised to the contract terms?
The longer the better. The athlete's life is short, with the long-term contract you can secure your future for yourself, for your relatives and friends. After you sign the contract, you don't think about anyhing but hockey. I can confirm it from my personal experience. Kovalchuk made the right decision. Our Bäckström also signed a multi-year contract and he now plays even better than before.

Do you think Kovalchuk would play till he would be 44 or or he would return to Russia?
I don't know it, you have to ask him. But to regret that Kovalchuk signed a contract with New Jersey and not with another team, is not worth it. It's his choice.

You have signed the contract with Washington for "only" 13 years. Maybe you should've sign for a lifetime ?
To go on the ice till the end of my life deprived of drinking wine and smoking cigarettes? No, it's not for me (laughs).

Are you surprised by Nabokov's decision to go to the KHL's team SKA?
He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. But as I read it, Nabokov was guided by the interests of his family. And the family suggested that it would be better that way. I think Zhenja could be the number one in any NHL team. Not just right now, but for several years from now on. He played very good and solid in San Jose.

Do you know that your former partner Washington Capitals Chris Bourque moved to the KHL this summer?
Where? To the Atlant? I can't say a single bad word about him. The guy is good, technical and nimble.

Have you already kicked the last season out of your head?
Yes, whatever it was, it passed. Nothing can be done about it now. We must look forward. Perhaps we didn't have enough psyche and luck. Hopefully we'll improve in this incoming season.

Source: www.sport-express.ru/newspaper/2010-07-22/1_2/
Photo gallery: www.sport-express.ru/photo/951

Reporting live from Novogorsk,

this is Emily.

Watch Russian video of Ovechkin's training here:

news.sportbox.ru/Vidy_sporta/Hokkej/spbvideo_Ovechkin-gotovitsya-k-sezonu-v-Moskve

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