That’s what I wanted to hear! So maybe we’ll be seeing Nabs at a few Captain’s Ice sessions in the future. Yay!

Goalkeeper Evgeni Nabokov SKA: I’m going home. What’s so strange?
Day’s events. HOCKEY
 Straight line

Evgeni Nabokov gave the first big interview after leaving the NHL and signed a four-year contract with the Petersburg SKA. One of the best goalkeepers of the world took part in a “straight line”, gave detailed answers to questions from reporters and editorial users of the portal “Soviet Sport”.
1 st period
questions
“BETTER bird in the hand …”

- When you realize that “San Jose” from you refusing?

- The first of July I was due to expire contract with the sharks. I tried not to break my head, leave it in my team. A 24 or 25 June, do not remember, I had a meeting with the general manager of San Jose, "Doug Wilson. He said that the club wants to go another way. Subscribe expensive goalkeeper will not. They need a cheaper, overall goalkeeper.

 - Your feeling at that moment?

 - Frustration. This reaction initially was to everyone. But cool down and realize that it’s business. Sooner or later, my departure from the “San Jose” was supposed to happen.

 - We agree with Wilson’s argument that NHL teams now do not need expensive goalkeeper?

- It’s his opinion. But in the NHL used to follow trends.I remember as "Tampa Bay won the Stanley Cup in 2004. The players then great blocked shots. Since then almost all the league clubs have made in this emphasis.

At the end of the current playoff goalies played inexpensive. “Chicago” became the champion with a young Niemi. Perhaps, in the words of Wilson, there is truth. But the main reason for its decision that the crushing ceiling of wages, and he chose a different policy. “San Jose” about 10 years trying to build a team, take the Stanley Cup. It did not work. Then Wilson changed his strategy. Business is business.

- Elite goalies as tafgai soon become extinct in the NHL?

- No. I still believe that the goalkeeper – it is half the team. But with one goalie did not win. We need balance in all lines.

- When you start thinking about the KHL?

- I discussed with his agent that can move to Russia. Yes, the rumors went different. But it was talk at the level of jokes and assumptions.

A week after the conversation with Wilson, a day or two before the opening of the market of free agents, a variant of CHL, we began to consider seriously. You had to be ready for anything. Maybe it would have to sign a new contract just one hour after the start of trading.

I do not want to wait for something. We had to make the right decision where to continue his career. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. If the long pull, then by August, you can not get serious proposals from the NHL, as well as losing a contract in St. Petersburg.

Maybe my decision will seem to someone wrong, illogical. But if people think they do not know the whole situation. I do not see anything special in the transition to the SKA. I’m not going somewhere to distant lands in a strange league. What’s so strange?
“There was talk about” DYNAMO "

- How long have you lived in San Jose. Is it easy to change the warm climate of California in the wet weather, Peter?

- It is not easy, of course. Well, if I moved to Chicago or Philadelphia? There, too, a different climate. So I was not thinking about the weather. And how to be a good team. San Jose – a great organization, I was treated great here. I did not want to get into the club lower level.

- Going to sell a house in California?

- No. While this is the base of our family.

- Previously, you could imagine that you’ll take in the military?

- Alluding to the fact that I was in the Army Sports Club? – Smiles Nabokov. – I’ve played for Dinamo. This militia, close to the military. Alas, the former Dynamo disintegrated. But before that there were conversations that I can go back to the Moscow club.

- You did not bother the new regulation the KHL, which the player is guaranteed 70 percent of salary, and another 30 he can get for successful performance in the Gagarin Cup?

- It is hard to discuss the financial system if you do not know how and why it was adopted. I am not competent in this matter. If such a scheme devised to whip up hockey for the best game in the playoffs – I do not think it is correct. The player by default must be a professional, always tuned to the victory. “Cut down the money – and good bye” – if such a hockey player mentality, the big sport it has nothing to do.

- The NHL in a financial sense, too, not everything went smoothly …

- Of course! I will not make the press, how much we pay taxes, how many league takes on the depositor. Many players do not like what happens in the NHL. But we have agreed to these conditions during the lockout. Now we have to obey. A few years back to defend their interests, when will the collective agreement with the league.
“With pleasure would play in Peter and the KOVALCHUK”

- You are used to carry out the regular season, the NHL in 70 matches per season. Important to you is as solid loading in the KHL?

- I have not played in Russia. There is now a regulyarke 56 matches, is not it? Games are often, but there are “windows” on the stages Eurotrip. That is, the load is uneven. So the coach to decide when to put Nabokov.

- Yes, and travel in Russia longer …

- Is it? ИFrom San Jose to Detroit to fly five hours. In Columbus – the same thing. Another thing is that in the NHL are you going to the east, touring around, and then return home. I do not know what routes to Russia.

- You can be seen at the match in Khabarovsk? And on the steps Eurotrip going?

- I’m going to the CHL to play. Including in Khabarovsk. But this is a question for the coach, whether he will put me on the match. The same applies Eurotrip. This we will discuss separately with Vyacheslav Bykov. Who said that I’ll need him?

- Ilya Kovalchuk would advise to go to the SCA?

- It’s not my job – to give advice Kovalchuk. He is a guy adult. And knows what is best for him and the family. But you will not find any hockey player, who refused to serve in a team with Elijah. I would love to play with him in the SKA.

- Do you ever have matches when all dropped from the hands?

- It’s not even with the great masters are. Concentrations did not have enough bounce or stupid … These games should be quickly forgotten. And in the next match to prove that it was an accident.

- Quarterfinal with Canadians (3:7) refers to these matches?

Olympics – a thin theme. These lesions remain with you for life. Vancouver wants to forget, but this is unrealistic. While that is better – to give 2:3 or 3:7? Loss is loss. And this is the most hurtful. It is necessary to draw conclusions from such failures. Not only players but coaches and managers. Vancouver should not be repeated.
2-nd period
reader questions
 “WILL CHANGE STEREOTYPES”

Question of the fan with the nickname Petrides: – You are still very young goalkeeper debut in Torpedo (Ust-Kamenogorsk), along with Vitaly Eremeev. Why do managers have relied on you? Make friends with it now Eremeev?

- Yes, we Vitalik good friends and communicate. Not so tight as we would like. Hampered by the fact that I lived on the other side of the globe.

At that time, “Torpedo” was an experienced Vova Borodulin. He played great, but we only kept off of membership. Frankly, I do not even remember how many games then held.

Uncle Jack: – Did you have a version with “Washington”?

- Ill tell with whom I was negotiating. Full of rumors, the newspaper rewrite them from each other. But, whether to move to a good club, I would not miss it. I’m looking for it.

Alex from Peter: – What is the first impression of your family from Russia and St. Petersburg?

- Now do not tell. It is one thing – to come to Russia as a tourist. Other – live there for seven or eight months a year.

Born in the USSR: – Already thinking about what will be shown on your helmet? Something about the past in the NHL?

- This is a “forward to the future”, something of the Russian motives. Figure contrive, when I get to Peter.

- January 19, 2000 the important event in your life. Remember what happened that day?

- Of course! This is my first game in the NHL – in Denver, we met with the Colorado, whose gateway defended Patrick Roy. We played 0:0, but I repelled 39 shots. I think this meeting the most memorable in his career.

Forever_first: – SKA called nekubkovoy team, and you – forgive – nekubkovym goalie. How about that?

- Nothing. Let the whole team to change the stereotype, its image. Need to work. Play well.

Bastol: – What do you think about people who use the term “nekubkovost” against teams or individual players? Not far-fetched it?

- Athletes are always discussing the fans and experts. Opinions complete, and it is a feature of our profession. But you ask yourself: in the NHL stands 30 clubs. Stanley Cup takes someone one. Others, it turns out nekubkovye?

The team in the NHL is a “window” of four to five years to become a champion. Then it begins to rebuild. Ray Bourque spent 21 years in “Boston” has not yet moved to Colorado and finally won the Stanley Cup. Belfur Ed spent about 10 years in Chicago, but the champion was only 99-m with “Dallas”.

Subject thin. Everybody wants to win the Stanley Cup or the Gagarin Cup. But it is not so easy. So do not rush to glue labels.
That I have made? "

Nautilus: – Question about your goalie form. Why Vaughn?

- Actually, I had played in Bauer. But then, this company has been producing a line for goalkeepers. Tried Vaughn – I liked it, I’m used to. Especially in this company sew form under me.

- In Russia there is no video with tips for goalies. Alexei Kovalev had recently released a DVD for beginners. Maybe you do promotional activities in our country?

- If it’s topical and it is someone needs …. Season is very intense. I do not know whether the time during the championship. But it is a question of organizing the case.I am not against it. Let’s discuss.

PetrovAV: – moved Did your preparations for the season due to transfer to the SCA?

- Of course. Season in the NHL starts later. I already train and recruit form. And soon lie down in St. Petersburg.

Swest: – Tell me about your father, Victor D. Nabokov. Excellent hockey goalkeeper and coach, to make efforts in the education of goalkeepers, like you, Eremeev, Tarasov, Kolesnik, Hudobin, Kuznetsov, Ogureshnikov …

- Can you imagine what you’ll have a long article? You have to do a separate interview with the Pope. Even I do not know all the moments of his working career. If anyone is interested, my father is unlikely to refuse in an interview. But you have to go in Ust-Kamenogorsk! – Smiles Nabokov.

Lokert12: – What was the feeling when you scored “Vancouver”?

- We remember and think: "Wow! What have I created? “And then it seemed:” Well, he scored – and okay. Popal, accidentally or not. What’s the difference? "He was delighted, of course. But not consider it something extraordinary. And now for eight years trying to repeat. And I can not!

Gublin: – Imagine that the SKA and the San Jose Sharks will play each other on the European site. Who will win?

- And let’s organize such a match. And after the game discuss how everything was cool and who is stronger.

Serenya: – For anyone hurt on the World Cup?

- Not for anyone. We’re not playing in South Africa. Even the ending did not like. This tournament did not become a bigger event as before. Just think, the world Nothing special.
3rd PERIOD
eader questions
“Come to me with a shovel!”

Wi3ard: – Who is your favorite writer and work? What do music? What is your favorite film?

- No specific writer will not mention. But I love biographies of famous people. Recently I read a book about Federer, and before that – about Sampras. I’m more interested in sports.

Music I like variety – from the Russian and ending the American rock band, rap. Everything depends on my mood.

Feature film? Maybe, “Elusive Avengers”? .. Better to let it be "Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!

- Have you read Nabokov?

- To my shame, no.

Julia Jagr: – How does your star team of all time? Name the top six, in which the gate Nabokov.

- Wow! I think the best trio KLM (Krutov – Larionov – Makarov. – Approx. Ed.) Ligament Fetisov – Kasatonov and Tretiak in the gate was not yet. But I’ll pick his contemporaries.

Offensively, Datsyuk, Ovechkin and Kovalchuk. He took to Malkin, but the central place occupied by Pasha. On defense, Teeth with Gonchar.

CCCP33: – You watched the CHL, while in the U.S.?

- Yes, always.

Murphy_D: – will carry the family in St. Petersburg? If yes, just give advice: buy now, shovel in winter.

- Thanks for the advice. Spade necessarily buy. And you do not want to come with his spade? – Laughing Nabokov. – I tell her St. Petersburg address.

… After the interview we chatted with Nabokov on the iphone and aypadah. It is a normal issue for Silicon Valley.

We had to take pictures for the newspaper. But Jack flatly refused. Probably because that was burned in the California sun. Then Nabokov dug into his new phone and sent photos to my. And goodbye, saying that he had another meeting.

The picture shows Eugene was in the form of “San Jose” after winning match in the Stanley Cup (sm.sosednyuyu page. – Approx. Ed.) He triumphantly raised hands. Along with him was elated the whole stadium.

Nabokov actually hates being photographed. And hates the pictures in the newspapers, on which he misses the puck. But this shot for him special. “Shark” in Gene’s life continues to occupy a very important place. The team, in which Nabokov was one of the best goalkeepers in the world. And that is so cold with him.
Reeling out
A cafe in Los Gatos

First, Eugene appointment for Santana Row – the beautiful streets of San Jose with expensive shops and fashion boutiques. But at the last minute called back and asked to come to Los Gatos – a small town far away from downtown.

We sat in a cozy cafe. Nabokov ordered a yogurt, I – coffee. Settled on the veranda. In the course of conversation to fit different people Genet. Shook his hand, saying kind words. Very sorry that “San Jose” with him to do so. Eugene gave autographs, even the waitress institution.

I realized that if we met in the city center, talk to us all to no avail. Nabokov, a very long time was the idol of the fans of San Jose. But left the club against their will. With the theme of this patient and we started talking.
Overtime
HOW NABOKOV scored

The historic event took place March 10, 2002, reminds a correspondent of “Soviet Sport” Pavel Lysenko. At the end of the match when the score was 4:6, “Vancouver” was replaced by the Latvian goalie Peter Skudru for an outfield player and desperately tried to save the game.

But the 26-year-old Yevgeny Nabokov buried hopes owners. Best beginner league last year (“Calder Trophy” -2001) that reflected by the time 1926 rolls, stopped the puck and after a moment’s pause, decided to attack someone else’s gate.

Nabokov left the washer parachutes from his Piglet, and she flew into the net very tightly with the left bar! This was the first and last goal of Eugene Nabokov’s career.

Recall that for 93 years of existence, the NHL only, nine goalkeepers could manifest itself in the role of snipers. And Ron Hekstoll and Martin Brodeur made it twice. And in five cases out of eleven goals were recorded on goalies because in hockey there own goal.

In January of last year goalkeeper Metallurg Magnitogorsk Ilya Proskuryakov scored the first goal in a Continental Hockey League history, when struck by the gate “Ak Bars” (2:0). So the ex-goalie “Magnitogorsk” Yevgeny Nabokov has his followers.

Woooh, that made my day! He plans to come back and visit!