[News] Sharangovich - new 2 hour interview

[GioforPM]

Man the hockey card thing is something I never really thought about.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

Should I translate any of the other chapters? I think I covered everything that directly relates to Calgary. Most of the other topics were about his way to the NHL and personal life.

Just speaking for myself, but I really enjoy these posts- anything you have the time for is really appreciated, but I would understand if you didn't want to.

Appreciate the time and effort, gvitaly!

[The Fisher Account]

Telus is a premier Flames sponsor and players are out getting new cell phones by themselves? And banking on associate discounts as well??

Cheap ass Telus. Not surprising.

[gvitaly]

01:01 Hockey through tears

- Yegor, as soon as you got here, you told me that this place in which we are filming. It is a very special place for you, in which you spent a big part of your childhood. Tell me which memories do you have from this place?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I only have positive memories from this place. That's the first rink where I started. A rink where my parents brought me. I won't ever forget that moment, we entered the ice through the entrance on the left, and I remember the first practice. I really didn't like the first practice, you can say that I started playing hockey through tears. I won't ever forget it. I was either scared because there were so many guys on the ice, or something like that. My mom forced me to get on the ice, and have my first practice through tears. That only applies to the very first practice.

- So it was your mom that insisted that you become a hockey player? Not your dad?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes. My mom, because my mom, was the one that drove me to practice. I wanted to leave the ice, but my mom told me that I have to stick with it. After the first practice it was over, I absolutely loved hockey from the 2nd practice forward. It's just that my introduction to hockey happened through fear.

- Did your mom ever tell you why hockey? Or why did she bring you here?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I don't know. My parents tried to introduce my brother to hockey before me, but my brother didn't like it, and they decided not to force him into it, the way they did with me. I'm very thankful to my parents that they made me finish that first practice, especially with the way things worked out.

- Now 20 years later, we're talking in the same spot in which you were crying, and right now you're probably Belarus' biggest hockey star. I think that your mother probably thinks that way, she's ecstatic that she didn't let you off the hook. For those that don't understand where we are - This place is nicknamed Prisoska(sucker), was that what they called it before too?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yep, Prisoska.

- It's located behind the sports palace, it's a pretty small place. Every person that lives in Minsk knows about it, and probably walked by it. Now it has the Dynamo school of hockey, before it was Minsk's sports school.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yep, Sports school number 12.

4:07 Family
- Let's talk a bit about your family. From what you just told me, I understand that your mom loves hockey. That said, your dad is also working for Raubichi, which is a pretty large organization in Belarusian hockey. Tells us a bit about your family. Where did your parents use to work from your childhood? What's happening in their lives now. Later we'll talk about your own family.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

During my childhood, I remember when I was very small. My dad was working as a truck driver. He used to do it for a very long time. Initially, my mom was mostly a stay at home mom, trying to raise my brother and I. Then she started working in a gift shop, on Yakub Kolas' street, she probably worked there for about 10 years, maybe more. After my dad's work as a truck driver, he decided that he wanted to spend more time around his family, because leaving for 2 months at a time, is hard for everyone. I can relate to that because when we have a 2-week road trip I really start missing my family. Not seeing your children for 2 months at a time must be very difficult. So after working as a truck driver, my parents even sold their car and bought a 5 ton truck, so he worked as a freelancer across Belarus. After that he got the opportunity to work in Raubichi. It was right around the time I joined the Raubichi team in 98. At that moment we moved there, and my dad joined the organization as wells as the Administrator(rink and equipment manager). To make sure I wasn't getting into any trouble. He was with Raubichi from that time on. There was even a time when I was playing in Raubichi, and he was the Administrator(rink and equipment manager) so he ended up sharpening my and everyone's skates. He'd fix our equipment as well.

- So he was near, for several years?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes, when we were playing in the MHL. One year before the MHL, and one year in the MHL he went with me to all the away games.

- That's great, so a couple of years he was always away, and then he got to make it up to you by spending a bunch of time with you. I think that a father's support is always important, especially when you're taking steps in the forming of your hockey career. Do you remember any souvenirs that your dad would bring you from his truck driving work?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I remember it very well. He'd always bring us Pin Gold chocolates. My brother and I would go scouring our parents' bedroom looking for chocolates after every time he'd come home.

- Then you can bring them to school.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

He'd always bring us things from abroad. He'd bring us bikes and clothes. So that was one of the benefits of him being a truck driver. We'd always get something out of every trip.

- Now you can be the one bringing the gifts from abroad

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yeah, we're doing that now.

7:55 Childhood and youth in Raubichi

- Raubichi was a big part of your life. You were there for several years. Now guys come to play there for a year or two, get there at 17 or 18 and leave. You spent about 4 years there?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yeah, I spent a long time there. We were playing there for 4 years. When you're a 14-year-old kid, hockey equipment is expansive, so if your parents aren't wealthy it's very difficult to afford. At the time in Raubichi we would get all the equipment and hockey sticks free. They supported the players in everything. They'd pay for the hotel for players that came out of town. The players that were from Minsk lived at home, and they would pick us up by bus. The bus would pick everyone up from Nemiga, but because I lived along the way from Nemiga to Raubichi they would pick me up last from right in front of my house. I'd get to an early practice in the morning, then school, then a second practice after school, then go to the hotel to relax.

- The school was in Ostroshnitsek city? So you would leave for the entire day? Leave in the morning and only get back home in the evening, like going to work.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes.

- Let's talk a bit more in depth about Raubichi. It's a closed territory, right? The city boys get to live in the forest for the entire season, far away from their family, staying in a hotel, going to practice and school. Many are worried to leave the city for such a strict program. A program in which you have to stay the entire time instead of just going to school and practice. What do you think, is it a good opportunity to concentrate on hockey, or does it limit things for a teenager?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I can't speak for everyone, but for me, Raubichi was a great time. We had everything we needed to succeed. Even after we moved to live in the hotel, I was probably 16 or 17, It was a bunch of fun. At the time we didn't have a practice in the morning, we only had one practice a day. I'd wake up at 9:30–10 and go to school. That's because most schools start from the 1st period, but ours started only from the 4th. We always had only 4 classes. In grade 11, we just had 4 classes, 5 times a week.

- You just made an argument for those that think that athletes are uneducated. What do you get from only 4 classes a day?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

So you understand, my class consistent of 6 people. In my last two years, for grades 10-11, we never had 6 people show up for the same lesson.

- In Raubichi couldn't the school teacher call your coach, and tell him that you didn't make it to class?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

It happened from time to time. Things were slightly more relaxed for us because we weren't new there at the time. That said, we treated the teachers with respect, and didn't push things too much. So yeah, the teachers were extra nice to our year, they let a lot of things slide. It was pretty rare for the coach to get a call, because of the respect we've shown to the teachers.

- Did your coach make sure you were doing well in school?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

We started there from grade 7 or 8. Usually the parents sign the agenda[In ex-soviet countries usually all the grades, and homework checkmarks are in there, the parents need to sign those daily.], our coach would sign our agenda in their stead.

- What if you'd get a bad grade? Could he scratch a player?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

No, we'd play for a championship, so it wasn't the same as U17, or U18. Everyone got to play. We'd get hockey tasks for bad grades, like pick up and carry the pucks. Scratches were not a punishment. We'd still get chewed up for bad grades, or if a teacher called. Usually the teachers didn't call the coach though, but Vicheslav Yushkevich, he was the team's director, and he would talk to the coach.

- Would they lock you up in a hotel room? What was the worst punishment? Say someone got an F.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

It was more during practice. Force us to run. Belov was the coach at the time, with Orolenko, and they treated us nicely. They were never too harsh with us. They'd never lock us anywhere.

[RobotTalk]

Thanks so much for translating these! I'm keen to read as many segments as you're willing to translate.

Sharangovich is fast becoming one of my favourite flames and it's cool to learn more about the experience of Belorussian hockey players!

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by RobotTalk

Thanks so much for translating these! I'm keen to read as many segments as you're willing to translate.

Sharangovich is fast becoming one of my favourite flames and it's cool to learn more about the experience of Belorussian hockey players!

I'll do them all, since it seems like a lot of people are interested. It just takes my probably 3–5 times the playback time to accurately translate a segment. I don't mind doing it, but I figured if most people found it boring, then I could just skip it.

---

PS: There actually are a couple of interviews with Nichushkin, during and after the playoffs I believe, with the guy that did the Zadorov interviews. I didn't get a chance to listen to them, but I wonder if there are any comments about his suspension. The last one came out only a couple of days ago.

[cam_calderon]

I'd be interested in the Nichuskin one, seems like a nuanced tale. Thanks!

[saillias]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

Should I translate any of the other chapters? I think I covered everything that directly relates to Calgary. Most of the other topics were about his way to the NHL and personal life.

I am fascinated by the whole interview and would like to read all you're willing to translate

Tons of interesting details about NHL life you never really hear about.

[gvitaly]

13:24 So was Sharangovich a womanizer?

- So in Raubichi, did hockey players secretly bring girls over, over the fence?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I'll honestly tell you, that I never brought anyone. Up until I turned 18 hockey was my only interest.

- Did you hear about such stories, though?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Well, there isn't a physical fence in place. At least, we didn't have one when I was there.

- But you see what I'm getting at. Were there times when girls would come over?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yeah, the guys would bring girls. We were so young, though, that the pass time was mostly going on a walk around Raubichi. It wasn't something that wasn't allowed or was discouraged. Whenever we had free time the guys could go on a walk with a girl around Raubichi, along the lake, there was nothing to it.

- So you said that you only played hockey until you were 18, based on a couple of articles you became a ladies man after you turned 18. Or were those all lies?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yeah, those are lies. I even had the boys giving me a tough time about those articles. I didn't even have a girlfriend until I turned 18. As always, tabloids inflate everything.

- It was just interesting that those stories came out after you were already married to Dasha. I guess they found it funny saying you were a womanizer. From my understanding, you fully dedicated yourself to hockey, but some of the boys decided to rub it in by calling you a womanizer.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yeah, there are jokers everywhere.

15:23 Meeting my wife, first date

- Okay, let's talk about Dasha then. Your young, beautiful wife. She is the giving us an insight into your life on social networks. I have a feeling that if not for her, we'd only see you during games, or on your team's social networks. How did you meet? Was there a story about a workout and going to the movies?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes. It started during covid. When I was in the AHL, they stopped the season, at first we waited over there, for about a week. At the time I lived in an apartment, and we weren't even allowed to leave the apartment. Eventually, the league allowed everyone to return home. I flew home, it was probably around March, or the beginning of April. I flew in, and had a bunch of time on my hands, so instead of just spending it all at home I asked a friend to write to Dasha, and see if we could both have a training session with her.

- For those that don't know, Dasha was working as a fitness trainer at the time.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes, she was working as a trainer. My friend wrote to her. He asked about training with her, and brining a friend, me. She agreed. I was attracted to her, but at first I was just training.

- So you were honestly putting in the work into the training? Doing everything she said.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes, like a responsible athlete. I'd just train, and do everything she told me. At some point, either I messaged her, or she messaged me, asking me how I felt after the training. I told her I was extremely tired, that my legs hurt. I went to a couple more workouts, they were obviously paid. After which, she offered me to take her to the movies instead of paying for the workout. After the first movie we went out, and stayed together from that point.

- Started working together for free, from that point on.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Exactly.

- Do you remember which movie it was?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I honestly don't.

- So you weren't exactly watching the movie?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

No, I'm a very shy guy. Hitting on a girl, in person, one you really like… I'm just very shy.

- I guess you're just a modest guy. You don't fit the stereotype of a classical hockey player: A person that always looks sure of himself, cocky even, at least at first glance. There are very many guys that are just like you though, pretty reserved, shy, and modest. That said, I wouldn't have guessed you were shy from just watching you play on the ice.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Hockey is completely different. You have to be a different person when you're on the ice. In life, I can just be myself, though. You have to be aggressive on the ice, show all your emotions, in life outside of hockey, you don't. At home, and with people I'm close with, I'm different too. Especially with my wife.

- I have to ask, different how? Are you more calm?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yeah, I'm not that shy, I can joke around etc.

[butterfly]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Man the hockey card thing is something I never really thought about.

I was thinking about that too. They make money faster by signing hockey cards than playing hockey. $4/card 5,000 cards 5 hours = $20,000 in 5 hours.

[gvitaly]

20:00 Dinamo Minsk in Sharangovich’s career

- Okay, let's recap. After you left the AHL during that season, you practiced, met Dasha. In general, you worked at the gym, skated in Minsk, waited for the AHL to resume its season. Eventually you ended up in Dynamo Minsk. That's the 2nd time you suited up for Dynamo Minsk. The first was in the 17-18 season, under Woodcroft. Then you returned to the team. How easy of a decision was it for you?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

My first season was under Gordie Dwyer.

- The first season was under Gordie Dwyer, this was your 2nd stint with the team in 2020. Did you have an option to go back to the AHL, or did you know that they won't be resuming the season?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

We didn't really know anything. There were a bunch of rumors. We didn't know if and when the AHL season would resume. In June, or maybe even late May, I was in constant communication with Dan, and I asked him to come to an agreement with NJ about me starting the season in the KHL. So that I could have a good preseason, and start playing with them[in the KHL]. So that I would return once the AHL/NHL training camps start. As a result, I left in February.

- I think it was in January.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

No you're right. It was at the end of December. The new year was right around the corner, and it was just before Christmas.

- You probably had your first game in the beginning of January. So you were the one that initiated playing for Dynamo. You wanted a full preseason, a team, meaningful hockey, and go from there.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes, because when you sit at home, it's boring. You want to practice. It would've been difficult just watching guys in the KHL play while I just sit at home and workout. It's much better to start playing than just stick to off ice workouts. Even if I would've made it into only a couple of preseason games, it would've still been better than sitting from March until January without hockey.

23:15 Draft to New Jersey (preparing to go to Toronto)

- Do you remember your pre-draft conversations? Now we're going to have another draft with Artem Levshunov, that's going to be a high pick this year. We get a lot of news about the strange questions the teams ask from players, how was it for you? What calls, or video calls did you get, before the draft?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

First of all, I was a bit old for the draft. You can say that I was late by 2 years. That year, they were drafting players born in 2000, while I was born in 1998. I didn't get any calls. Dan was the one talking to teams. I knew that I had the highest chance to get drafted by Toronto. With the pick, that was 2 spots after NJ. Dan and I knew that I would probably go in rounds 4-6. A bit of a late pick, because I didn't have that great of a season with Dynamo. I didn't put up that many points. We even opened a Canadian visa, because we thought that I would go to Toronto for development camp. As a result I was sitting at home, watching the draft on TV, I've been sitting there for a while, and the moment before I got drafted the TV cut out to commercial. After the commercial ended, I just saw my name higher on the draft board.

- So you didn't get to feel the moment of being drafted?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yeah, I didn't get to hear the moment my name was called.

- How did you feel about it?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I was very happy to get drafted. Because my first goal was to get drafted. Those were unforgettable feelings, I immediately called my parents, Dan called me, congratulated me for being drafted. It was an amazing feeling.

- You signed your ELC very quickly

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes.

- So they drafted you with the intent of you playing games, and not just to get your rights.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I think it had to do with the fact that I was already 20 at the time, 19 or 20. That's why they gave me the ELC, so that I would move to NA right away. They asked me right away if I was willing to come over? Which I immediately agreed to.

26:22 Friendship with Kulakov

- Let's get back to your 17-18 season with Dynamo. What memories do you have from that season about the locker room and friendships you made.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

17-18 was quite the season. At first, I felt uncomfortable entering the locker room, because I was 18 surrounded by men. I didn't know if I should refer to them with a formal or more casual speech. In the dressing room it was always nice with Kulak, there were 2 people Kulakov and Stepanov, that kept things light, and maintained a positive atmosphere in the dressing room. You can say that they'd never shut up, always joking around, keeping things fun. With Sasha Kulakov we're still in touch, we talk to each other a lot. In fact, I'm even driving Kulakov's car right now.

- That's right, you drove here using Kulakov's car, while he's with his family on vacation. What's your relationship like? How often do you talk to each other when you're abroad? Do you hang out often when you're in Belarus?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

With Sasha, we stay in touch from the time I was in Dynamo. We'd meet pretty frequently. Now we get together with our families. Last year we drove to their place out of town for a barbecue. No, last year they came to our place.

- But you weren't barbecuing Kebabs at your place

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Why?

- Kulak told me

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I did, he's just giving me a hard time.

- Yes, he's just a Kebab master

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes, he makes very good Kebabs. You can't compare them to mine. It's probably why he told you I didn't make anything.

- Is it true, that while you're in a bit of a scoring drought, you message Kulakov

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I think that was a bit more of a coincidence. That said, he thinks that if I'm in a goal scoring drought and I send him a text, or call him, then I'm going to score in the next game. It happened quite frequently that way, actually. He even told me that he might start charging me royalties

- I understand he just attributes his wizardry to your scoring.

[Sandman]

Thanks again, gvitaly!

[dustygoon]

Thanks for these G! appreciate the work to translate.

[gvitaly]

28:50 Impactful season in Dynamo Minsk

- Let's get back to the moment you came back during covid. You play for Dynamo, but don't finish the entire season. You put up great numbers in 34 games, which is a bit more than half a season, and you score 17 goals in that span. That's amazing production, much higher than in the AHL. What do you think made you take such a step in your game?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I think that I had a very good preseason that year. I probably didn't train as well in the previous seasons

- Maybe because Dasha wasn't a part of your life yet.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes. A relationship really helps a lot in hockey. It's easier to deal with things when they don't go your way. It also gives you confidence, because you're working hard not only for yourself

- I just think that if your wife is a fitness coach, then she gets to control your nutrition too, there probably are more restrictions and more guidance on a day-to-day basis.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes, she's also a nutritionist. We don't have any bad food at home, nothing that's very fatty, or fried. She tries to cook healthy for the both of us.

- It means that you always have access to healthy food

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes, I do. We still buy sweets, but I think everyone eats sweets, we just limit the quantity. As far as other food, we eat right, she makes sure of that.

- So you had a good season, a good preseason, a new coach in Dynamo, but you were familiar with him.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I didn't know Woodcroft that well, but we had one Hockey World Championship in 2017 in France. Then Dave Lewis was the head coach, and Craig [Woodcroft] was his assistant. We weren't that close. I really got to know Misha Grabovsky and Craig Woodcroft in Dynamo. In reality, a lot depends on confidence, and if your coach trusts you. Craig, and his coaching staff, really trusted me. In contrast, in the AHL if you'd make 2–3 mistakes in a game you could be a healthy scratch for the next game. In Dynamo, that trust from the coaching staff, increased my confidence with each game, that lead to a very good season.

31:30 Did Sharangovich get preferential treatment in Dynamo?

- There were opinions out there that you got preferential treatment. As in you were like the coach's son. That said, I don't know of any coach's son that would score in every second game, and wear a letter as a 22-year-old. You seemed to reward that trust by quality play, and scoring goals. You didn't just get the ice time because you were a young Belarusian player. It doesn't work that way.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes, it doesn't. Obviously I had a good relationship with Misha, Craig, and the whole training staff. Why not? They let me play, gave me the ice time, and I was playing at the level expected of me, showing my game.

- Many in the post Soviet world, think that if you have a good relationship with the coach it should be frowned upon. Because then he'd be more likely to give you preferential treatment. In North America, a coach can talk to a player as an equal, hang out outside of hockey, even see you at a bar, but if you put in the work during practice no one bats an eye at that. Everyone in North America knows their job on the ice during practice, it's not as though you would hang out with the coach by the bench to take things easy.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

That's right. In North America, you can talk to your coach about things outside of hockey in the locker room. In Belarus and Russia it's a bit different. Everyone thinks that if you have a less than a strictly formal relationship, then you're trying to suck up to the coach. In North America, it's a lot less formal. For example, this year, we gave Savard a ride from the airport. He was talking to us about his son, about everything he does outside of hockey, asked about our lives. We simply shared news, there was nothing to it.

- I think that it's the way it should be, if you're a team, then the coaches should also be a part of that team.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes.

34:05 Moving to the NHL during the season
- You left Belarus very quickly. Almost as though you were in a rush. All of a sudden, the NHL announced their season, and started gathering its teams. How did you get the news, and what did you know in December? Did you know you would join the main squad instead of the AHL? Can you remember any of it? And how things worked out?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Dan gave me a call in the middle of December. It was about a week or two before I had to fly over. It was difficult to just pick up and go, because I was having a really great season. I think we were around 6th spot, looking towards the playoffs. We had a very good team, that was on a heater. I already built chemistry with my line mates. I also got to wear a letter. That's why I asked Dan if there was a chance I could finish the season. He told me that no, it was my only chance to make it to the main NHL squad. That's because the team was keeping an eye on me throughout the KHL season, and would give me a good shot at making it to the main squad.

- Did you have any doubts about it at the time? Because you had to sacrifice what really was a great season.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

You always have doubts. You sacrifice that season, you fly over there, but you know the reason you're flying. There's one goal, and no way back. It was the choice between chasing my dream and having a good season in Dynamo.

- Did you have a choice to go back to Dynamo in the case things didn't work out, and you were sent to the AHL?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

No, because the lease to Dynamo is over.

- So I would've most likely had to play in the AHL for the remainder of that season?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes, I tried not to think about it. I was obviously worried about making the team.

- Your decision in May, when you asked Dan to explore the option of leasing you from the Devils to Dynamo, was the right decision. In January, you ended up in an NHL's camp with a bunch of players that didn't have preseasons, didn't play games, and didn't get their rhythm yet. The half of year of work you put in with the team showed dividends. You were on a huge heater, and everyone else was a step behind.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Many guys practiced by themselves, at their homes or garages, looked for rinks and trained there by themselves. Canada and the US had very tough restrictions at the time. You couldn't even go to the gym. A lot of players were investing in building themselves home gyms in their garages. It was a major advantage that NJ agreed to lease me for that time period.

- So you had an advantage?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

NJ didn't make the playoffs in the previous year, so they finished their season very early. So guys were just stuck working out by themselves. NJ didn't even make it to the last 24 teams play-in round, so the players had a huge gap in play time. That's why I think it was a lot easier for me during the practices to show that I deserved to be in the NHL.

- You didn't have much of a drop-off in your production. It was a different league, but you still put up a decent amount of points in the NHL in your first year. Was it the last year of your ELC?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes.

- So you were right on time in that regard. It really was your “last chance” to quote Dan. You showed your quality to the organization. Did you know that you were getting your contract renewed in the middle of that season?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes, we didn't go into details, but we were having conversations with NJ regarding term, and money.

- There weren't any doubts about NJ treating you as a part of the big squad from that point on?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

That's right.

- That was a good season for you in 2021. Let's talk about your move to North America. You didn't have any reservations about the move.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I still had a hard time moving and going to the AHL, especially after my first year.

[Locke]

Does this guy ever stop talking? Is it just because theres nothing else to do in Belarus?

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Locke

Does this guy ever stop talking? Is it just because theres nothing else to do in Belarus?

Thread is about a two-hour interview. Poster complains because subject of interview talks for two hours.

[InternationalVillager]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

- Started working together for free, from that point on.

High IQ wife right there. Exchanged free fitness training sessions for a potential multi-millionaire NHL player. Secured the bag!

[gvitaly]

41:00 Spontaneous proposal to get married
- That was then, but in 2021 you already knew how things worked, you knew the language, but at that time Dasha was a big part of your life, from that spring onward. You make the decision that you both should move together. It wasn't just the right thing, but it would've also been easier for you. Had she stayed in Belarus, things might not have worked out. Having a person that always supports around is a big deal, which is why a lot of guys try to bring their wives or girlfriends to NA right away. It's a covid year, flights are hard to come by, work visas take time to make, tourist visas are also difficult to get. Everything is closed. How did you organize the move? How did you propose? How long did she think about it? How did it all happen? She had to change her entire life in 2 weeks.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

In reality, it was quite difficult. Dasha was working in Belarus as a part of an IT company, had a good job. You can also say that the proposal itself was a bit lacking. I had to leave within a couple of days, and I remember something she had once told me. It was about 3–4 months into our relationship, and we had discussions about a move to America, because I told her I'd have to come back there at some point. When I asked her then if she'd come along, she wasn't sure because of her work. Eventually, 2 days before I had to fly out, I proposed. We weren't married or anything, it was 2 or 4 days before I had to leave. I already said goodbye to everyone in Dynamo. At 8-9pm, I was still on the phone all day, with my agent and other acquaintances to get everything in order. I arranged everything even before the actual proposal.

- Did you arrange the tickets and the move for the two of you?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

No, I arranged the ceremony so they could marry us.

- So you got everything ready for when she said yes, and then be like by the way I have everything ready for tomorrow.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Something like that. So I proposed around 9pm, and the next morning we had to go get married.

- Let's recap, you have to be in the States for work in a couple of days, you want to go with Dasha, you need to get the documents...

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I was very worried about her moving with me.

- It was an important part of your life, and you have to fly out in 4 days, and you might end up having to leave her at home.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I just don't think that long distance relationships work.

- So you propose at 9pm, and the very next morning you get married.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes.

- Did they quickly make a visa for Dasha?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I had to fly out by myself first.

- It's just easier to make a visa for her as your spouse.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes. It was also very difficult to leave at that time of the year because it was around 6 years since I last got to celebrate Christmas with my family at home.

- It was pretty close, it was about a week away at the time.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes, it was very close. I flew out on Dec. 23rd, or 24th.

- So to this day, you still didn't get a chance to spend Christmas with them(in Belarus)?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

That's right.

- That's a very cool story.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

The world championships, like the Junior under 20, are always held in December and around the new years.

- So how did you make the proposal itself.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

We were sitting in the car, just got home. I was extremely nervous, because I knew she could say no, and just wait for half a year until I got back.

- You couldn't, not do it though.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I told her how I felt, and how things were. I think we were sitting in the car for about 30#mins as I was getting the courage to do it.

- Do you think that she knew it was coming?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I think so. She just asked me if we had to get married tomorrow after I proposed. So I told her “yes”. She still gives me a hard time about it sometimes.

- Listen, she was still good, she supported you. It wasn't a question of romance, because you have a good relationship, it was just a technical issue. You didn't have a different day in which you could get married. You would've been gone within a week.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yeah, I had to fly out.

- In that part she was great too, immediately got on board with how things were supposed to happen.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yeah, she had to sacrifice a lot. To this day, she still teases me about my lackluster proposal.

- Maybe you should consider making another proposal

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Still, she had to give up a ton, including her work.

- It just sounds like such an unusual story. Every girl is expecting a romantic proposal. Some in the Minsk arena, others on a hot air balloon, someone on a boat, or an island, but I think that your proposal has to be pretty unique, but there are a bunch of proposals on a hot air balloon.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

It was really uncomfortable. We sat in the car for the longest time. Maybe even more than half an hour. I just couldn't get myself to do it, because it was a poor proposal on my end.

- But she read you like a book.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes.

47:06 Preparing for the season: where is it better?

- Some think that preparing for the season in Belarus doesn't meet all the requirements. Agents are trying to get players to practice elsewhere, in Canada, or in a hockey camp. You had it both ways, you had a year when you came to Belarus, and had to fly out quickly. You also had a time when you stayed in Belarus for a while. Where's that sweet spot? Is there a difference? And can you prepare the same way here and in NA?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

When we trained in Florida, Dasha was already pregnant, and we decided to spend the time there, because we knew all the doctors, had all the tests scheduled there etc. We just had to move from NJ to FLA, so that all the paper work stayed in order.

I'll be honest, we really didn't like Florida in the summer. It's not for us. We prefer coming home, spend time with our families and relatives. We get to spend weekends with them and have a better time in general.

Players that don't go back home to Russia and Belarus say that there are too many temptations at home. Go to a club with friends, or something similar. That's why they have a hard time getting in shape with all the distractions.

As for myself, I can't really comment on that, because we don't go clubbing.

- I don't think that you're the type of person that changes his [healthy] lifestyle. I saw you and Dasha at the gym a couple of weeks back, I think you have a huge advantage in that regard. If you work out alone, you can get lazy, but you both are into sports and can motivate each other. I also don't think you have a hard time finding ice in Belarus, or places to train.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I really like training at home. In Florida, you only think about hockey. There's no one there to really go out with. Dan would gather all his players to go on his Yacht. There was Mikhaev, Zadorov, Sergachev, so that was the first time I actually met a lot of the Russian NHLers. That said, home is home, my parents often come to visit. Dasha's parents as well. They get to spend time with their grandchild. You always have something to do after practice at home. For example, I finish my practice at 2, have a nap, then we have time to go out somewhere in the evening.

- I think the weather is also a bit better than Miami, Florida.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes, it was +38C in FLA. You couldn't go outside. You just start to sweat, and thinking about how to get back to the AC.

[FlamesAddiction]

I am loving this interview. I feel like we are really getting to know the human behind the player and what a great personality Sharangovich is.

I love the story about meeting his future wife and how she was the one to ask him out the first time. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but there is still something sweet about that.

I also thought it was interesting that when he joined Dinamo as an 18 year old, he wasn't sure if he should use formal speech around the older players on the team. For those that don't know, Slavic language have formal pronouns and verbs that are used when talking to people older than you, or that have a higher social standing. Very similar to the French "Tu" and "Vous", so not really a foreign concept to Canadians who went through public school. But if you use the wrong one, it could get you off on the wrong foot. Usually if you are unsure, you default to the formal language until you are invited to the informal. A cocky person might go in and just start throwing around the informal language, but it shows how thoughtful he was about the situation he was in, which I can really appreciate.

[gvitaly]

50:30 Life in a private house

- Do you live in a house?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Where?

- Here[Belarus]

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes.

- You bought a house?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes.

-How long ago?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Two years ago.

- Was the construction finished?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes.

- And how do you like it? How much of your time do you spend on maintaining it? Do you do the handyman work, or do you just call someone to come and help?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I don't have any helpers. I do call someone for plumbing related issues, for example change the filters, though my dad can do that as well. I'm not that great at it. I tried to unscrew the filter once, but I forgot you had to release the air out first before unscrewing it. So it wouldn't unscrew because of it. I'm definitely not a handyman. I cut the lawn myself, though.

- So you have some house-related chores, but you're used to them in North America as well, you lived in a house in NJ, and you have a house in Calgary, the same as here.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes, I always lived in houses. I think that once you live in a house, it's hard to go back to living in an apartment. We have a dog, and a kid. It's much easier to let them walk around the grounds. We lived in Florida in an apartment for 2 months.

- You noticed the difference?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes, every time I had to walk the dog, I had to go down 20 floors. There was also very limited space where you could walk the dog.

- You can also invite your friends over here, have a BBQ, Sasha Kulakov for example?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

It happens pretty rarely.

- rarely? You're a family man surrounded by Dasha, Christian, and Sharky[dog].

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes, but also our relatives. They come over often.

52:40 Team Belarus
- Let's talk about the national team, you're always a part of. You took part in the junior U18, U20, and the national team. Sometimes in the same season. You always skated for the team, and never refused them. I think that the tournament in France was a key moment for your career, because Dave Lewis believed in a young Yegor Sharangovich. You put up 3 points in 7 GP, which was pretty unexpected. Do you think that this coach and this world championship gave a serious boost to your career?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes, I agree. When Dave was in charge of the national team he first called me up when I was playing for Raubichi, out of the MHL, I think I was 17 at the time. That was my first call up for the national team, I was very surprised, and was ecstatic about it. I went to the national team camp, Kulakov was there, and a bunch of older guys. He picked me to join the team even then. After that, I can't remember, probably when I was playing the U-20 championship. We had our camp in Chuzhovka, Yuri Fayko was the coach, and they called me to the main camp, right before the World Championship.

At the time I was worried, worked hard, and Dave used to tease me in English all the time. I didn't know a word of English back then. Andrei Mezin would translate for me. Every round of cuts I was waiting for my name to be called, up until we got to France, and the championship itself.

- You got to play, it's not as though you were a healthy scratch.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I played. In the first game I was probably on the 3rd line. After that I was playing with Sasha Pavlovich, and Charles Linglet. That was an unbelievable feeling as an 18-year-old, playing against Canada, they had Giroux and MacKinnon playing for them.

We still keep in touch with Dave. He even congratulated me when I beat the record.

- Was he keeping track of your scoring?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes. We have an app, so we called each other, a couple of times. At one point, he even accidentally congratulated me in advance. I only broke Andrey Kostitsyn's record, but Grabovsky was still ahead.

I told him that I still had to catch Misha.

- Eventually you passed Misha as well, but we'll talk a bit more about your scoring record a bit later. Let's talk a bit more about the coaches. Dave Lewis, and who else? Who were the most iconic coaches?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Dwyer. When I had the choice between staying in the KHL, and going to the ECHL[or maybe USHL, he pronounced it UCHL]. The whole coaching staff was telling me that they would give me the opportunity, and play time as a younger guy. Konstantin Koltsov, Sergei Stas, and Gordie Dwyer all assured me that I will get a chance to play.

- And they kept their word

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes.

- Craig?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Craig was after I got back after playing in the AHL. Craig, and Misha together, because I was working with Misha after practice. They helped me a lot. That season in Dynamo really improved my confidence. When they let you play, your confidence grows as well.