We had great fun last summer in our very first encounter with Capitals’ 2008 second-round pick Dmitry Kugryshev at July’s Development Camp. The camp was notable for its participation by a couple of the organization’s talented young Russian prospects, Kugryshev and Simeon Varlamov, neither of whom spoke any English prior to their arrival in North America. Kugryshev had comrade Dmitry Chesnokov of SovetskySport translate questions from Washington hockey media for him one day at camp, but afterward the young right wing admitted to us that he could understand most of the English in the questions.
We decided to test his English fluency on camera two months later, during the Capitals’ full training camp, and the result was some good fun.
Kugryshev enjoyed a strong 2008-09 freshman hockey campaign in North America. Playing for Patrick Roy and the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Kugryshev tallied 34 goals and 74 points in just 57 games during the regular season, which led all Q rookies. He was named Rookie of the Month in the Q for December, and that same month he skated for Russia at the World Junior Championships. This spring, he scored 6 goals and added 14 assists in 17 playoff games for the Remparts.
Kugryshev caused a bit of a stir off the ice as well, blogging and offering up some frank assessments of his play and even spiritedly defending his physical attributes and development habits against one online low-life at Hockeysfuture.com.
“I have seen that some Capitals fans — you know who you are — have
suggested that I should stay in the gym instead of writing a blog. Are
you right? May be. But we all have a right to have our own opinions.
So, let me explain. I have been in the gym every single time when I am
not playing. I am not the “bang ‘em, kill ‘em” type of forward. I think
I am a scorer. I have said in the past that I do need better
conditioning, but I still have a right to talk. Or write. (yes, I am
talking to you, BrooklynCapsFan) . . .”
How can you not love this kid?
We wondered what Dmitry might be up to early this offseason, and our intrepid Russian reporter chum Chesnokov tracked Kugryshev down just a few days ago while he was on vacation in Dubai with some buddies from back home in Russia. Chesnokov posed a handful of questions from us to the young winger enjoying a sun-splashed R&R.
OFB: What’s a hockey player do on vacation in Dubai?
Kugryshev: I went to Dubai with my friends from Russia. I didn’t see them for the entire year and I missed them. I tried not to think about hockey at all. I played beach volleyball a lot. I love this game.
OFB: Did Coach Roy have an end-of-season interview with you, and if so, what was the coach’s assessment, and what aspects of your game did he tell you to work on with an eye toward next season?
Kugryshev: Yes, I had a meeting with Patrick after the end of the season. We talked about the season. Patrick told me that I have everything to play in the NHL. But he also told me that I shouldn’t stop working on improving myself and turn my good hockey skills into even better ones. He is very interested in me realizing my dream of playing for the Capitals as soon as possible.
OFB: What was he most pleased with about your game this season? What area would you most like to improve?
Kugryshev: It was my first season in Canada. I think that it turned out to be good. I tried very hard to adapt to the North American style of hockey as soon as possible. I think I achieved this goal. I am never completely satisfied with my game. I think I have to work on every component of my game in order for me to play for the Capitals.
OFB: Give us some reflection on your overall adjustment to life and hockey in North America. How’s your English, for instance, compared to last July’s Caps’ Development Camp? Have you picked up any French? Did you seize upon a favorite television show, or find an American or Canadian rock band you really liked?
Kugryshev: I have not had any problems adjusting to the way of life at all. I think I improved my English a lot. And as far as French, I only know the words that guys say on the ice. I don’t have a favorite TV show here because I watch my favorite Russian programs. As for music, my taste is very broad. I listen to everything: from Russian to English to French music. By the way, guys on our team really like Russian electro-music. I always burn new CDs for them. One of those CDs is even played in our training room.
OFB: Have you watched ‘Slapshot’ yet, perhaps on a Quebec Remparts’ bus ride this season?
Kugryshev: I have not watched it yet!
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