Semyon Varlamov: "I Don't Have Time for a Personal Life"
by tuvanhillbilly on Aug 17, 2009 11:03 PM EDT
in Translations
29 comments
[Back up and rewind, ladies and gents. According to this interview which appeared today on the official newsportal for Samara, Russia, the headline from our previous article on Varlamov appears to be invalid. Oh, and he wants to sign an eight year contract with the Caps.]
***
Semyon, you left Russia to play in a foreign country. What does America look like through the eyes of a Russian goaltender?
"It really seemed like a different world to me, everything there was quite different. As far as hockey, it's an absolutely different style of game, organized on a much higher level than we have. The people there are very different. To tell the truth, in America it's easier to lead a peaceful, orderly life. In Russia, everything is much harder. When I arrived from America, I immediately felt the difference: Americans are much more friendly, courteous, and kind if you will. This isn't a slam against Russians-- it's just a different mentality."
"As for everyday life, I had difficulties-in speaking, for instance. I don't know English very well, and I had quite a few problems this season because of that."
Were you able to make any friends?
"So far the only friends I've found are on the team-the Russian guys from Washington: Sasha Ovechkin, Sergei Fedorov. I really get along great with them, and we keep in constant contact."
How about the ladies? Are you planning on getting married sometime?
"No, I'm not planning on it. I don't have any girlfriends, and I don't really need any right now. I was in a relationship, of course, but right now I have such a heavy work schedule that I don't have time for it. Right now I am fully devoted to my favorite thing-hockey. I simply don't have any time for a personal life."
Hmmm. That's weird. Just a week ago in one of your interviews you were saying exactly the opposite. You were talking about how you had found a Russian girl in America and fallen in love...
"Well, yeah, but that was last week, and now my plans have abruptly changed."
...To the joy of your female fans. By the way, do you have a lot of them? Do they tear off your clothing after the games?
"No, my fans behave decently; it hasn't reached that point yet. They come up to me, ask for autographs, bring jerseys with my name on it so I'll write something on them... I haven't seen any special fanaticism. Maybe I'll see that in the future, but first I have to become as well known as Alexander Ovechkin. I haven't gotten there yet."
If you hadn't been introduced to hockey as a kid, what would you be doing?
"I probably would be a tennis player. I'm really attracted to that sport. And if I hadn't taken up any sport, then I probably would have continued on and done well in my studies. My parents are well educated, as well as my sister. I have a very smart family. I would have gone to one of our institutes."
Who do you compare yourself to in sports? Who is your idol?
"I used to consider Patrick Roy as my hockey idol. I wouldn't say, of course, that I compare myself to him-I was just really attracted to his style of play. Right now, the person I am trying to equate myself with is Roger Federer, the Swiss tennis player. I like how he devotes himself to the game, his favorite thing. This is a guy who is always at the highest level, constantly winning tournaments, and his high bar never falls. He is a very stable athlete. In my own game I'd like to achieve the same stability that he has."
Tell us about your professional plans for the future.
"I would really like to continue my career with Washington, and I hope that will happen for me. Right now my main goal is to keep my place on the main team. My contract with the Washington Capitals is up in two years, and I want to sign a long-term contract them: for five, seven, or eight years. Those are my plans."
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Fantastic stuff, THB. Thank you once again.
Varlamov’s personality seems to me to be very similar to Backstrom’s. I love the commitment that all of the young players display. Humbling, though, to see what it takes to become a professional athlete at the highest level.
by Gould Old Days on Aug 17, 2009 11:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m glad your plans changed abruptly too! :)
Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to hit up Club Scarlet.. maybe introduce them to the weight room per your preference.
by Laich on Aug 17, 2009 11:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In all these interviews, Semyon seems like a great guy. And hey, he’s about the same age as me—we should hang out sometime!
"My face is my mask."
by jakeshapiro on Aug 17, 2009 11:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
“Well, yeah, but that was last week, and now my plans have abruptly changed.”
How abruptly? This abruptly.
Bet he bought himself a belt, too.
IS PAЯTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Aug 18, 2009 2:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is just a reminder about how young he really is. I wonder if he broke up with her by passing a note, or maybe had Ovie call her and tell her that it was over.
by Sct112 on Aug 18, 2009 8:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
haha, the first thing i thought was how that reminds me of the high school girls i teach. hilarious/adorable.
by kellobellow on Aug 18, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was my first thought too, on reading this on my Blackberry at the MVA this morning (sadly, login still doesn’t work for me).
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Aug 18, 2009 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s official: Varly’s love life is more Tweetable (8 RT’s after only 9 mostly overnight hours) than Gabby’s new book (6 after about 18 hours).
IS PAЯTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Aug 18, 2009 8:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It’s funny – it’s been retweeted almost entirely by women who seem to be taking some pleasure in the breakup after Semyon’s un-PC comments in that last interview.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Aug 18, 2009 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gee, I wonder why? I feel bad for the girl, though. One week she’s the love of his life, the next week, she’s old news.
Then again, who’s to say she isn’t the one who broke up with him and he’s just making up a cover story?
by gfcaps fan on Aug 18, 2009 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know, I got the impression from his comments that she dumped him. A 20-year-old male’s ego is unlikely to let him admit in interview that he got dumped.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Aug 18, 2009 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s funny – it’s been retweeted almost entirely bywomenfatties who seem to be taking some pleasure in the breakup after Semyon’s un-PC comments in that last interview.
Fixed it for you!
by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on Aug 18, 2009 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That’s neither nice nor accurate.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Aug 18, 2009 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was just inspired by listening to this song on my way to work this morning:
by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on Aug 18, 2009 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Scuse me?
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Aug 18, 2009 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don’t mind him. He’s havin’ another donut.
by Gould Old Days on Aug 18, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I look at it as cosmic justice.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Aug 18, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What kinda question is that?
“Do they tear off your clothing after the games?”
01-20-13...the end of an error
by hotdog88gt on Aug 18, 2009 10:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
he wins us some silver, I’ll tear his clothes off!
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Aug 20, 2009 1:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Varly’s attitude here reminds me of this.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Aug 18, 2009 10:37 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Rec’d for varly’s Capsitude. Go get ’em Killer.
IS PAЯTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Aug 18, 2009 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
These are some Cap-Tastic new words to add to the lexicon!
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
- Ferris Bueller
by war_capitals on Aug 18, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Federer. That’s an interesting choice for role model.
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
by winterion on Aug 18, 2009 11:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He’s a surgeon. Always calm, never loses his cool. But at the same time he brings great emotion and intensity. It’s just always under control.
by Gould Old Days on Aug 18, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Focus. Like a big-league goalie needs to bring for sixty minutes, game in game out.
IS PAЯTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Aug 18, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
As long as he doesn’t get on the Gillette kick like Roger and shave during the postseason, fine with me.
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
by winterion on Aug 18, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Neuvirth doesn’t have to worry about that…
by Gould Old Days on Aug 18, 2009 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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