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Where there is no law, but every man does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of real liberty
Henry M. Robert

Oleksiy Zhytnyk: Why Can Japan Play in Group A and Ukraine Cannot?

13 November, 2012 - 00:00
Photo by Volodymyr Rasner,The Day: Oleksiy Zhytnyk misses Kyiv ice

Kyiv ice-hockey fans remember Oleksiy Zhytnyk, currently playing under contract in one of the best NHL clubs, Buffalo Sabers, while he played for Kyiv Sokil.

Back then an NHL scout liked his ability to precisely estimate the situation, fearlessly body check, make an assist sending the forward to the fast-break, and score a powerful goal from outside if given a chance. Now it has been eight years since he started playing for the NHL. But once a year, during season break he comes home. His and his wife's parents still live here in Kyiv. He also has friends and ex-teammates here. The Day asked him a few questions, since we seldom have the opportunity to talk with the legendary NHL star.

"The environmental change calls forth thoughts about the difference in life standards, pace, and relationships in the USA and Ukraine. Do you feel sad from such contrast comparison?"

"No. Sometimes other thing give me pain - eight years away from home have passed by like a moment. It seems like yesterday I caught a plane to fly to the unknown, the country, where they idolize ice-hockey. Honestly, I was very nervous. I thought, what if I do not fit in and they send me to a farm-club or even home."

"But now that is all far behind you."

"Yes, I got used to it, regaining my confidence and ease. As to the difference in living standards, I am glad that I play for the Sabers from a silent, as they call it, farmers' city in New York state on the Canadian border. The life is calm and steady there, somehow it reminds me of provincial Ukrainian towns. Unlike New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles there are kind and easy-going people, beautiful nature, and, of course, Niagara Falls. Sure, it is hard to compare living standards in Buffalo and Kyiv, but I think we will work it out."

"Would you like to play for the Ukrainian national team some time?"

"This is now impossible. First, the Ukrainian team is in Group B of the world tournament and its games coincide with the regular season games in the NHL, which naturally precludes me from appearing in the yellow and blue uniform. Second, I have been playing for Russia for five years and due to the regulations, I cannot now play for a different country."

"Did you see how Ukrainian team plays?"

"It just does not work out. Many Ukrainian players invited to the national team play in Russian and Western European clubs. However, I now hear from my friends that it has started playing better and may even make it to the Group A. Why can Japan play there and Ukraine cannot?"

"Oleksiy, playing in Sokil you often scored from the blue line. How about scoring in the NHL?"

"In the last regular season I scored 15 goals and delivered 30 assists, which is considered to be normal for a defense player. I should say that the game became tenser. Back when I just came to the States, 30 goals in the season was a bad score for offense player, now it is fine. Previously 15 hockey players could score more than 50 goals a season, now only three did so: Teemu Selianne and Peter Bondra with 52 goals and Pavel Bure and Johl LeClaire with 51 goals."

"Now you are participating in the international Independence Cup Tournament, defending Sokil's colors. What do you need that for?"

"I missed it. I can speak my native language with the boys. And, besides, even during vocation I try to stay in good shape. It is very pleasing to note that there are many talented boys now playing in Sokil. And I think with solid financial support Oleksandr Seukandi's team can grow up to be eagles."

"How much longer do you intend to play? When will you hang your skates up forever?"

"Don't even think about it!"

 

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