Sorry, Ladies - Varlamov Has the Love of His Life
[Many thanks to reader and fan Emily for pointing me towards this too-cute-for-words interview, photo shoot and video with wunderkid goalie Semyon (that's how I'm spelling it and that is that) Varlamov and his sweetheart, Dasha. This appeared today on website for the Russian glossy magazine "OK!"]
He left for America in September of last year to join the Washington Capitals-- one of the best hockey teams in the NHL, if not the world. After a few practices with the main stars of the league-- Ovechkin, Fedorov, Semin, Kozlov, Pothier, Nylander and others-he was sent down to the farm club, where he vegetated until the spring of this year. It wasn't good fortune, but rather bad luck that helped him out: Washington's main goalkeeper was seriously injured, and his backup couldn't help him out, so 20-year old Semyon Varlamov was put in front of the net. His debut didn't occur during a regular season game, but rather in a quarterfinal battle for the most prestigious hockey trophy on earth-the Stanley Cup. And Varly, as Semyon is now called in America, didn't falter. Even though in the end Washington didn't win the cup-they lost in the semifinals to the future trophy winners, the legendary Pittsburgh Penguins-this fall Varlamov will return to the American capital as goaltender number one. Right now he is on vacation, and he's spending it in Russia with his sweetheart, Dasha. "OK!" Magazine caught up with one of the best Russian goalkeepers on the eve of his departure for his native Samara.
You were invited to Washington back in 2006. Why did it take two years for you to get to America?
"I had signed a three year contract with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. I had to spend two years with them, and the third year was optional. I didn't want to cheat my team."
They say that in the NHL it's more difficult for a goalkeeper to make a place for himself than for other position players. Is that true?
"Yes. There is a lot of competition for goalkeepers. When I went to Washington last year to the rookie camp, there were five of us there. All of us were about the same age, and all of them seemed to be worthy."
None the less it was you who was chosen to be put in net at the end of the season.
"Up to that point I had played a lot of games in our farm league team. I tell you, the level of play there is quite high. Perhaps it might not be worth it for some regular player to play there, but for a goalkeeper it was excellent experience. They shoot just as many goals on net as they do in the NHL. I gained some pretty good experience before I made it onto the regular Washington team."
How did it come about that you made it onto the regular team?
"I am more than happy to tell you about how I almost turned grey-headed. (Laughs). I had returned from Texas after a regular game with the farm club, when all of a sudden Sasha Ovechkin calls me and tells me that the goaltender Theodore had injured himself in Washington and I had to be ready to be called up. Not long after that a car came to pick me up and take me to the airport. When I learned that they were entrusting the net to me in a battle against Montreal, I got extremely nervous. I couldn't believe what was happening. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat. Before the game, in the locker room, I couldn't find a place for myself. I wasn't even able to tape my stick! It was just then that Sergei Fedorov came up to me and told me "Don't worry, everything is going to turn out fine. It isn't the Gods who make the clay pots." And as soon as I came out on the ice, it all left me. For some reason, at that moment I knew I was going to play well."
The premonition didn't let you down.
"Right, although the match was difficult, and I was really tired. I denied 33 shots, which took the wind out of our opponent. Montreal's main star, Ilya Kovalchuk [sic] came by and ran into me. But his partner Andrei Markov shouted at me "Varlam, good catch!" (smiles). When the final horn sounded, I cried from happiness. Then my teammates, Ovechkin and Semin hit me in the face with a shaving cream pie. That happens in the NHL. In the locker room everybody congratulated me on a successful debut."
In the Russian press you were immediately turned into a hero. They wrote that Varlamov was carrying Washington and that you were 99 percent of the success of the team. Was there a reaction like that in America?
"There were a lot of things written there, but I tried to not pay attention to any of it. I didn't read the papers and I didn't even turn on the television. I understood that I hand to concentrate solely on the game."
So you weren't able to feel like a star?
"Only if it was a very small one. (smiles). The stars are Ovechkin, Fedorov, Semin, Kozlov. People who've already made a name for themselves in the NHL. I've just started on that path. Ever since childhood I've dreamed of becoming a world-class star, but I still have to get used to all of the hullabaloo. For example, getting used to seeing people wearing jerseys with your name on it. They say that they are selling a ton of those jerseys."
Have any personal admirers emerged?
"I have a true love, so I don't look at any other women. You know, I'm extremely fortunate that I met a Russian girl in America. It's difficult to look at a lot of the local women. You get the feeling that just don't take care of themselves! There are an awful lot of heavyset ones. But Russian girls have nice trim figures. I couldn't imagine myself being with an American girl."
Does your girlfriend go to the hockey games?
"Before she met me, she didn't go. Now you can see her at every game. I find it unbelievably nice when Dasha sits in the stands and roots for me. Especially since there are a lot more guys than girls amongst the fans. Although not too long ago a lady came up to me with a babe in arms..."
... and said that the child was your?...
"No. (laughing). She handed the kid towards me and asked me to autograph. I asked her "where?". It turned out that the lady had specially made a tiny hockey jersey for the kid and had "Varly" written on it. It was very touching."
Do you talk with the fans in English?
"Yes, but of course it is broken. I thought that after the first season I would speak English well. If I had spent all my time on the farm team, where I was the only Russian, then for sure that would have happened. But after I came to Washington I basically dropped my English. I basically talked with my fellow Russians. There were four of them, after all."
I don't know which is better.
"Without a doubt it is better to play in Washington and not know any English that play on the farm team and speak beautifully. (laughs). But my progress in learning the language is still in the forefront. I'm working with a coach. It's not too much of a strain to give interviews."
By going abroad, did you lose or gain materially?
"I lost. But that's no secret. This season, I basically didn't make anything. My salary was three times larger with Lokomotiv. In an NHL contract, it states that if you play for the main team you make so much money, and if you play for the farm team you make a different amount. If I had played all my games with the main team, then I would have made a lot more money than with Lokomotiv. I hope that in the coming year I can improve my financial situation."
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Also, “His debut didn’t occur during a regular season game, but rather in a quarterfinal battle…”
Not precisely.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Hey, don’t let facts get in the way of the narrative…
by Gould Old Days on Aug 5, 2009 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Btw, we wear belts at this level, son.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Yeah, and it’s also a good idea not to insult your female fans:
“It’s difficult to look at a lot of the local women. You get the feeling that just don’t take care of themselves! There are an awful lot of heavyset ones. But Russian girls have nice trim figures. I couldn’t imagine myself being with an American girl.”
And, from what I understand, that’s a relatively mild translation of the actual language.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
So American[s]ladiesare a bunch of lard asses huh?
by David Getz on Aug 5, 2009 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Yeah, when Varly takes a shot at “heavyset” Americans, you wonder if he’s noticed that the guy who writes his paycheck isn’t exactly built like Michael Phelps. :-) I think Nate Ewell needs to put together a handbook for foreign players on what not to say in an interview.
I think the day he starts checking out Uncle Ted is the day we all get worried.
by Mobsky on Aug 5, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Good lord. I don’t care what he says. I’m into teeny, skinny girls, too. It’s just his preference.
That said, he’ll now understand that Americans are reading his Russian interviews.
by DrinkingPartner on Aug 5, 2009 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Um, that’s accurate, yes. Here’s what he says in Russian:
На большинство местных без слез не взглянешь.
You could translate that as, “You can’t glance at most local women without crying.”
Tuvanhillbilly, back me up?
Oh, oh. There go the XL Varlamov jersey sales.
by b.orr4 on Aug 5, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
the problem is SM jerseys are really terribly difficult to find. If you want a “real” jersey (ie, not the “designed for a woman’s body” crap) you have to get a medium. I’m tall-ish and have a fairly athletic build and a medium is still way too big on me. So all us slim girls are running around in jerseys that look like muumuus. No wonder Varly thinks we’re rather large.
by RedBirdie on Aug 5, 2009 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
haha yeah, i tried on a men’s small once – the sleeves were so long, and it was literally down to my knees. ended up with a kids size, but then the sleeves were too short! finally bought a women’s cut, and i have to say i’m very happy with it- it’s big enough on me to look like a “real jersey” but doesn’t swallow me. still won’t go for pink though, no worries ;)
You can easily get a small, as long as you buy it online. But it’s still a jersey cut for men/boys wearing equipment, so of course it’s not going to fit right. I’ve seen some women at the games in the women’s cut “jersey”, but I don’t see it as a jersey, more like a heavyweight shirt designed to look like a jersey (the short cut of the jersey looks nice, but it’s not game-worthy).
I’ve got a medium because that’s what was in the store and on sale, but it’s darn big on me, and I’m not thin (nor am I “huge”, but when I lose weight I may have to buy a new one).
I hate shopping online.
Destroying female stereotypes one by one :)
by Scott in Shaw on Aug 5, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I hate shopping online
I hate shopping period. That’s why I shop online as a large percentage of shopping.
by gfcaps fan on Aug 5, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
My understanding (via Tuvan) is quite similar.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Katzistan, you are correct. Or you could also translate it as “You can’t look at the majority of local women without it bringing tears to your eyes”. I used the description “difficult to look at” merely to avoid the ensuing shitstorm that probably would have come from a literal translation. But that is exactly what he said. Thanks for the confirmation! So let me now bring out my anti-fecal umbrella. Bombs away!
"I tried to capture the spirit of the thing"
by tuvanhillbilly on Aug 5, 2009 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
This is a great example of how we aren’t really about sensationalizing in our translations as much as getting the underlying info out there. Good judgment by Tuvan, says I, even if it cost us traffic.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Speaking of traffic, how long before you think this interview is up on Kukla’s Korner? Slow summer day, controversial comment about American women=internet bonanza.
I dunno. Someone should tip him – he may miss it otherwise (since we didn’t lead with it or anything).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Btw, I’d be happy to judge a Ms. Japers’ Rink pageant to prove him wrong. Send pictures!
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
That’s not to say there aren’t plenty of American girls who DO take great care of themselves at these games… which I’m sure Varly may have to nervously append to his statements at Ted’s behest, because we’re a culture of hypersensitive dorks. I wouldn’t get that either if I were some 21 year old kid from Russia.
I find the Backstrom omission and Nylander inclusion at the beginning more offensive, just sayin.’ Kinda glad that Potsy’s there. And the baby part is adorable.
After a few practices with the main stars of the league— Ovechkin, Fedorov, Semin, Kozlov, Pothier, Nylander and others
I find it amusing to see Pothier listed as a “main star of the league”.
Yeah, their hockey fact-checker must be on vacation.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Yeah, I was kind of wincing at some of this stuff while translating, but then I thought: how (non) insightful it would be here, if a hybrid of People and Good Housekeeping were to interview Sidney Crosby.
"I tried to capture the spirit of the thing"
by tuvanhillbilly on Aug 5, 2009 8:50 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Wierd Video
Bigger Varly threat: NHL snipers or Dasha breakup? Varly looks like a happy little puppy dog…
How cool would it be?
To answer your phone and it’s Alex freakin’ Ovechkin telling you to pack up your pads…you’ve made it to the Show.
/pretty darn cool
IS PAЯTY NOW
I like how Ovie’s doing the coach’s duties given the language barrier, too.
Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com
Those pants…that shirt…that haircut…no belt…those rollerblades…
Apparently it’s 1992 in Semyon Varlamov’s world.
The Def Leppard Varlamov Collection
POUR SOME SUGAR ON VARLY
HAVE YOU EVER CROSS-CHECKED SOMEONE SO BAD? feat. Chris Kunitz
LET’S GET RED-ROCKED
ANIMAL (BETWEEN THE PIPES)
PREVENTIN’ THE HEARTBREAK (IN THE FIRST ROUND)
I’M-NOT-GETTIN IT (that this guy i’m yelling at doesn’t speak english, because i’m a dumbass) – feat. Sean Avery
HERSHEYSTERIA
Ok, I’m done.
by thebigfoist on Aug 5, 2009 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
In all of Russia it’s currently 1992.
by Caps1Fan on Aug 5, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That would explain why the picture in the post reminds me of Lethal Weapon 2 (or more specifically, this scene).
"The passion of our supporters cannot be contained by clothing."
Thank goodness communism didn’t end there in 1974
by Gould Old Days on Aug 5, 2009 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Somewhere, a Members Only jacket is hanging.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Aug 5, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
hilarious as in actually hilarious, or hilarious in the usual Puck Daddy way that makes me go “boy, these people really should be eliminated from the gene pool”?
Oddly enough, I read a fan fiction story about Varlamov. Oddly enough, the female girlfriend in there was named Dasha. The very same name as his real girlfriend. (Did the author know something that we didn’t before?) It would be even funnier if his girlfriend bears the same last name as the girl in that fiction.

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by wuffy on Aug 6, 2009 11:10 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
interview
I know Varly is young but no excuse for being insenstive. Hey is entitled to his likes and dislikes as everyone else but you have to keep in mind of what you say. Not only do you have to respectful on the ice but also off.. Also, us “local women” contribute to his salary.
With any luck after having 3 kids and many years of marriage, Dasha’s figure will remain the same trim figure, if not, well, he won’t be happy. Looks fade but true beauty wiithin remains.













































