[News] Exclusive interview with Sharangovich on NashSport Magazine

[gvitaly]

Here is the pdf file (in Russian) of the source magazine. If you want to read through it with Google Translate, it starts at page 8.



Here's my version of the full thing:
- Yegor how was your month-long vacation?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

As you know, Calgary's season ended in the second half of April, in a home win against the Sharks. After that we had several team meetings. We listened to our GM, that's the guy that outlines our goals and expectations for next year. Our first goal is to make the playoffs. The second goal is to go as deep as we can in the Stanley cup playoffs. Some time later we had a team dinner. After that Dasha, our son, and I decided to fly home, to Minsk. We stayed in Belarus from the end of April.

- Did you miss your country?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Of course. All of our relatives were missing us, while we were there. The NHL seasons are anything but short - 7-8 months. That said, our parents didn't miss us nearly as much as their grandchild, Christian - He's now a year and a half old. That's why we have guests over just about every day. Family is always here, so that over a month just flew by. Whenever you perform overseas, either in Canada or the US, you're always sacrificing something. Especially when you don't have either relatives or friends nearby. Because of that, we mostly end up spending time together - Dasha, Christian, and I(Aside: another interpretation - Sharangovich only gets to talk to his family in his native language ). That's why every travel home is a long awaited moment

- In the NHL, do you get to go to the club after a win, perhaps have a beer with the boys?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

In North America, they don't forbid professional hockey players from doing anything. The moment we leave the rink we can do whatever we like. That said, if you have 2-3 beers then you should know that you're going to have a very hard time tomorrow. Which might result in you missing a couple of practices. Long story short, sometimes I can have one can of light beer, but not more than that. With the understanding that my body would have a really hard time getting its rythm in practice on the next day.

- Is your vacation this year different than your previous vacations

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes. In my first 2 years in the NHL, I took two weeks off. After that, I would've been on the ice skating, among other things. However, at the end of the 2022-23 season I decided to take a whole month off hockey. I liked it. I felt good because of it, and couldn't wait to get to the gym. When you start training with full vigor, you just feel different. A month, in my opinion, is the right time to heal the body but also rest the mind. It gives me the opportunity to spend time with my family. After every season, it's preferable to get one's mind in order

- That means that a professional hockey player gets to decide for himself how much time he gets to take off?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes. You can even take the entire summer off, but you have to be ready for the start of the season.

- Yegor, how do/did you feel about breaking the scoring record of your fellow countrymen?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I felt pretty calm about it. You know at the start, or even the middle of the season you're not thinking about records. You just play, and try to help your hockey club. Showing that you deserve to play for that club, and in that league. In the beginning of April when I tied Mikhail Grabovsky, when I got very close, my competitive spirit kicked in. Moreover, at that point, my teammates knew about it, and were cheering me on. But you don't think about, records, or individual achievements in the middle of the season. You just play your game, and try to be a positive contributor.

- Nonetheless, you scored more goals than anyone else for Calgary - 31 times in fact. For example, in the last regular season Ovechkin put up the same numbers. Must be a pretty nice comparison.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I don't want to draw a Parallel to Ovechkin. Ovi is a great athlete. To be this effective at the age of 38 is worth a lot. Alexander Ovechkin is my idol. It's always nice to play against him. I remember when I was 10, at the Vladislav Tretyak tournament in Moscow. He was the one giving out the awards and prizes to the young players. He was an international star at the time. A legend for many of the kids. That's when I wanted to become like Ovi, who had many great years for the Washington Capitals

- Speaking of which, you play Washington a couple of times a year. And you failed to get your game going and put up as many points in the games against the Caps...

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

That's how things are in the NHL, each game is different. It doesn't matter who you're playing against, because most of the teams play at the same level. You can have a bad game against a bottom team like the Sharks, and at the same time beat the conference leading Stars. You can have a 5 game goal scoring streak, and then go cold for 10 games. Personally I had periods when everything was going in, and just building on itself, and then it would dry up almost as though I was cursed.

- Right now there are 4 teams left in the playoffs, who do you see as the cup favorite?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Every team has a chance to win it. That said, I don't watch games live right now in Belarus because of the time difference, but I have a feeling that Dallas would win.

- You made your debut for the national team when you were only 18 during the 2017 Paris world championship. In 2021 you were already a (assistant?)captain. Do you have any desire to represent your country today?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Of course, I would love to get an invite so I could compete in such a tournament for Belarus. I think that the world hockey championship has the same level of play that the NHL does. Traditionally there are many strong teams in this celebration of hockey. This championship in Prague is a proof of that. Each tournament gives a player the opportunity to get a bunch of experience that will help him in the future.

- Yegor, which players on your team, or other teams are you pretty close with?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

With a lot of players. Calgary has a lot of players that are fluent in Russian. We added a lot of guys from Russia this year - Kuzmenko, Miromanov, and Okhotiuk(whom I played with for the Devils). I have great relationships with foreign players too: Canadian Jonathan Huberdeau, and Slovak Martin Pospisil. In general everyone is very friendly in Calgary.

- Are you constantly in touch with your fellow NHLer Aliaksei Protas?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Of course, usually when we play against each other, we have dinner together, talk about a bunch of things. Last time, when the Caps flew into Calgary, we also made plans. Protas told me that Ovi wanted to join us, which I was pretty happy about. Okhotiuk rounded out our group. We had a good time, but even though we're friends off the ice, we're rivals on it.

- Do you like to party, or be the center of attention?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

No, I'm pretty quiet. That's why my wife Daria jokingly calls me "old man".

- Those that follow your career would know that your wife is an authority figure on proper nutrition.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes. Moreover, when we were in Canada Daria got her coaching certificate. Now she can work training professional athletes at the gym. At the same time, she tries to instill a proper diet at home.

- Yegor, be honest, do Belarusian Kebabs make the cut as far as the correct diet for a professional hockey player?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

To be honest, I haven't really been restricting myself food-wise during the vacation month. You might not believe me, but when our parents met us at the airport they brought us authentic Belarusian Kebabs to the airport. I could even have cake on occasion during our vacation. Luckily, my weight stayed the same. That said, it's time to start thinking about putting in some work at the gym.

- What's the most important thing for a player of your caliber? What helps you perform the most on the ice?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I think that when you've already put in the physical work, the most important thing is rest and recovery. Not going to sleep too late, waking up on time. That's despite the fact that we have a young child at home. I slept pretty well for the last year and a half and have my wife to thank for it. She helps me a ton both during the season and in the summer. My wife knows that I have to get an adequate rest and recover. She takes care of our son a lot more than I do, and tries to not wake me even on sleepless nights.

- Is it hard to get under your skin on the ice? Is there a way to get you want to fight?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Honestly, I only had one fight in April, 2022. I had a fistfight with Braden Schneider of the NYR. I won't go into details, but it was a pretty lumpy/bad experience for me. Obviously, you have to be able to defend yourself, but I don't instigate fights. I prefer scoring, and playing more dynamic hockey. However, there are plenty of tough guys in the NHL that make a living from it.

- It's pretty obvious that hits in hockey could lead to serious injuries,and hopefully I don't jinx you, but can you avoid getting hit and/or injured?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Perhaps. I think I hit my injury limit when I was 14, playing in the Belarus junior league. I broke and displaced my hip. I spent 2 weeks lying in the hospital. Then I had to wear a titanium plate for a year. Even still, I'm playing now.

I remember, Mikhail Grabovsky, when he was finishing his career at the NHL after his own injury. I was playing at NJ's farm team at the time. He was giving me advice on how to avoid putting yourself in bad situations and avoiding injuries.For example, he was pretty insistent about me turning my head when receiving a pass. Whenever you skate and turn your eyes should always be towards your opponent whenever you have the puck. It really is important. Mikhail was saying that he wasn't taught it, which lead to multiple injuries.

- In your year in Calgary, did you notice a difference between your previous coach in Lindy Ruff, and Ryan Huska?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Those are two completely different specialists. Lindy Ruff is older, more experienced. He had a lot of games in the NHL, both as a player, and as a coach. They're pretty hard to compare. Huska spent a lot of time in the AHL, and this year he got the opportunity to be the head coach in Calgary. They're different in some aspects, complete each other in other aspects. More specifically, Huska is very good at finding a common ground with players and communicating with them.

- Yegor, is there any difference when comparing the US and Canada?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

In terms of hockey, the differences are negligible.

- What about living and everyday comforts? from your personal experience.

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Everything depends on you. For example, the club only pays you your salary. You have to take care of everything else yourself. Renting or buying a car, renting or buying a house. In New Jersey we had a comfortable place(home). We wanted to feel the same level of comfort in June 2023, when we moved to Calgary. Everything turned out for the best. My wife found a good realtor using social media. He found us a very nice house. So Everything was already in place to suit our needs before we even arrived in Calgary. Now, Calgary suits us very well.

- In a picture published on social media I saw you behind the wheel of a Maserati. Do you like italian cars?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Honestly, it's my wife's car, because it has the baby car seat in it. I drive a BMW in Canada.

- What about in Belarus

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I drive an Audi

- Do you like speed?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Yes, of course. I want to really put my foot down sometimes, hit the gas pedal, but only when the roads are empty.

- Yegor, you will be celebrating your birthday in June, is it a joyous or a sad occasion for you?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

Like I said, I don't love huge, loud gatherings. Last year we went to Turkey along with Dasha's grandparents and my parents. We celebrated my birthday with a pretty small circle of people. This year, we plan to do the same.

- Can we call the Sharangovich family sporty?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

When I was playing in Raubichi, my dad, Alexander, was administrator(equipment manager) of a sports school - he was responsible for uniforms, skate sharpening, etc. So he has a direct connection to me entering the hockey world. My older brother Kiril doesn't play sports professionally. My mom also doesn't have any connection to sports, but she was the one to push me in this direction.

- Did she only see a hockey player in her son?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I didn't have a chance to enter any other sport. When I was 3, my brother Kiril, my dad, and I went to the Christmas tree(outdoor skating rink) - we were ice skating. Next year my parents decided to teach me skating. I still remember my first practice. My mom forced me to the ice despite my protests and tears. I was shy, doubting myself, thinking I might not succeed. I was afraid of making a fool of myself. However, after the practices, all my fears were gone and my hockey life began.

- Do you see your son Christian as a future hockey player?

Originally Posted by Sharangovich

I think we'll give him a chance at hockey, but we're also considering making him a future tennis player. It would still be his choice, we're not going to force him into anything. We're not going to get in his way in whatever he decides to do.

**I skipped a couple of sections talking about his thoughts on Dynamo Minsk's current team, World championship, and a couple more pretty generic questions/answers, about other Belarusian players(Kolosov, Levshunov).**

PS: It was out there for a couple of days, but I couldn't get around to it. There isn't really anything earth shattering here, but I figured it's a good offseason read.

[Goriders]

Thanks for posting

[sch19lks]

I like Sharky. Seems to be a quiet, humble dude

[Sandman]

Thanks gvitaly, really appreciate these posts.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Thanks gvitaly, really appreciate these posts.

Same to you. I always appreciate the prospect analysis posts.

Just trying to add a little something to the community.

[Dajazz]

Seems like a well spoken down to earth kind of guy. Really like that he takes the physical regime serious with food, rest etc.

Thanks for posting.

[Erick Estrada]

He could even have cake on his vacation? Phil Kessel this guy ain't.

[442scotty]

Great read! Thanks.

[bdubbs]

This was a good read, thanks!

[Svartsengi]

Thanks for posting. Probably the biggest reason why Conroy acquired Okhotiuk at the trade deadline. Wonder if any other of Yegor’s friends off the ice will be brought in by Conroy?. Must be trying to sign him to a contract extension I hope he stays here if not Flames will get a good return.

[dissentowner]

You know what's nice about this? That someone in the organization just confirmed what I have been trying to get through to some posters on here, that Conroy is not just saying they intend to make the playoffs but actually means it. I wouldn't have argued it so much if I didn't have very good information on that.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

You know what's nice about this? That someone in the organization just confirmed what I have been trying to get through to some posters on here, that Conroy is not just saying they intend to make the playoffs but actually means it. I wouldn't have argued it so much if I didn't have very good information on that.

Dude, he also says they aim to win the cup.

You know what's missing? The year both of those aspirations are targeted. Of course the goal is to make the POs and win the cup. But when?

[Parallex]

In North America, they don't forbid professional hockey players from doing anything. The moment we leave the rink we can do whatever we like. That said, if you have 2-3 beers then you should know that you're going to have a very hard time tomorrow. Which might result in you missing a couple of practices. Long story short, sometimes I can have one can of light beer, but not more than that. With the understanding that my body would have a really hard time getting its rythm in practice on the next day.

... yeesh, bit of a lightweight eh.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

You know what's nice about this? That someone in the organization just confirmed what I have been trying to get through to some posters on here, that Conroy is not just saying they intend to make the playoffs but actually means it. I wouldn't have argued it so much if I didn't have very good information on that.

Did your source in the organization go into any specifics on how they plan to achieve that? More specifically how does the organization plan to patch the holes on the 1st D pairing, the 1st line Center position, and in goal if we actually trade Markstrom. All that within 1 offseason?

Just the holes left by Lindholm, Tanev, Hanifin, and Markstrom seem too big to fill. But we'd need to get better than that team so we could simply make the dance.

IMO, the organization is just trying to sell tickets by saying they'll be competitive. Because making the playoffs seems more like wishful thinking than a part of a step by step plan this team is following.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

Did your source in the organization go into any specifics on how they plan to achieve that? More specifically how does the organization plan to patch the holes on the 1st D pairing, and the 1st line Center position, and in goal if we actually trade Markstrom. All that within 1 offseason?

IMO, the organization is just trying to sell tickets by saying they'll be competitive.

No idea how they will go about it. From what I understand this whole retool is a middle ground between ownership and management. Management knows they need to get younger and focus on the future, ownership wants playoff revenue and butts in the seats. So it falls on Conroy to try and do both, retool on the fly. I don't think Conroy was telling his players at their exit interview the goal is to be a playoff team next season to sell tickets to them.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

No idea how they will go about it. From what I understand this whole retool is a middle ground between ownership and management. Management knows they need to get younger and focus on the future, ownership wants playoff revenue and butts in the seats. So it falls on Conroy to try and do both, retool on the fly. I don't think Conroy was telling his players at their exit interview the goal is to be a playoff team next season to sell tickets to them.

If I were the GM, then I would want my players playing as though they're fighting for a playoff spot every single night. It's a lot easier to work harder, and not take nights off when you're working towards a set goal. It sets the team's culture in a way... Of a team that works hard and never gives up despite being the underdogs(sounds like a familiar narrative, similar to make the playoffs and anything can happen).

That in turn would increase the players' value, and create less trade requests that might become a distraction and force Conroy's hand like it happened with the Zadorov trade, and to an extent with both Toffoli and now Markstrom.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

You know what's nice about this? That someone in the organization just confirmed what I have been trying to get through to some posters on here, that Conroy is not just saying they intend to make the playoffs but actually means it. I wouldn't have argued it so much if I didn't have very good information on that.

It is ALWAYS the goal to make the playoffs and win the cup - you don't tell your players that next year is going to suck, as they are walking out the door for the summer. Come on, use your head.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

You know what's nice about this? That someone in the organization just confirmed what I have been trying to get through to some posters on here, that Conroy is not just saying they intend to make the playoffs but actually means it. I wouldn't have argued it so much if I didn't have very good information on that.

I found the nice part to be the positive things he has to say about Huska. What a great coach for this group he is.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

No idea how they will go about it. From what I understand this whole retool is a middle ground between ownership and management. Management knows they need to get younger and focus on the future, ownership wants playoff revenue and butts in the seats. So it falls on Conroy to try and do both, retool on the fly. I don't think Conroy was telling his players at their exit interview the goal is to be a playoff team next season to sell tickets to them.

He could have been doing it to try to stem the number of trade requests he gets next year. This year he had Zadorov publicly ask for a trade, as well as Hanifin and Lindholm reject overtures to stay with the club. He did a hell of a job just moving 5 big assets in a 9 month period. Probably does not want to have to do the same next year (especially with apparently starting with a 6th asset, Markstrom, being moved this offseason). Guy probably just wants some stability.

Folks thought the Blues moved a lot of assets the year before and they only moved 3 significant assets, Conroy had to move 5 this year.

[Paulie Walnuts]

I am sorry, but everytime you see the word playoffs from someone on the Flames you immediately start telling us they are going for the playoffs, when the actions of the team says otherwise.

The team was hardly a playoff team with Lindholm, Hanifin, Markstrom, Zadorov and Tanev.

Plugging those holes with Zucker, and Brad Skeji isn't going to make us better.

Do you think his message shoudl have been, go home guys we have zero playoff aspirations, drink beer party have fun.