Defender of Magnitogorsk "Metallurgist"- the player is amazing. V professional hockey he got hit almost by accident. At the same time, he almost got to, but without having played a single match there, by the age of 30 he was tired of banging his head against the wall and moved to Europe. It was necessary to play and earn money - money was needed to support a son with Down syndrome. And in the Old World, he, a small-sized but very mobile defencist, immediately began to get good at it. The best defender of the German championship, the most productive defender of the Swedish Hockey League - offers from the KHL were not long in coming. In the first season in Russia, he won the Gagarin Cup, in the third - he got hold of another ring, beating with "Magnitka" machine-like in the final, and now leads the defensive-scorer list by a solid margin, gaining more points per game. And this is 36 years old!

AFTER THE FIRST MATCH OF THE FINAL I THOUGHT CSKA WERE US

- You missed the first match of the final against CSKA due to disqualification, hitting between your legs. It seemed that they were aiming.

No, what are you. There was no intent. I just wanted to play harder against him, but ended up in an extremely unfortunate place ( laughs). This can be clearly seen on the replay. After the match, we talked to him, I apologized, and we understood each other. I'm not one of those players who use these techniques. It's just an accident.

- And then how did you react to the disqualification?

Removal there should have been given, but disqualification ... I did not agree with her, I was very upset.

- And without you, “Magnitogorsk” was simply smashed in the first meeting.

In the first five minutes, everything was fine. He also scored. But then everything went not at all as we would like. It was very hard to watch this match from the stands. CSKA played very well, and, to tell the truth, there were thoughts in my head: "How can you beat them? They will tear us apart." And I don't think I could have changed anything if I went to the site.

- Doubt about the final victory?

I got nervous. If before the final I thought that we had good chances, then after the first game my thoughts were already in the spirit: "Damn, we should win at least one match." Seriously. The army team was so good.

- Surely you changed your mind when you took to the ice in the second meeting?

Not particularly. After the game, having already equalized the score in the series, yes. Considering how the first one developed, it was the most important victory for us. We realized that we can overcome this well-oiled "machine", which will work non-stop in the same way.

- Interesting comparison. CSKA resembled robots that much?

It’s not very good to say that, but to be honest, it did. A huge number of triplets, a huge number of new faces in every match, and they do the same thing all the time. Shifts of 20 - 30 seconds, throw-in after blow-out, movement, movement, forchecks, forches. And so - without stopping, they did not stop executing the program for a second. Of course, they also had very skilled guys -,. They played great and were different from the rest, but like everyone else, they plowed to the fullest.

- Wasn't CSKA hockey too primitive?

I don't know if it's primitive. Perhaps a little more simple than the rest. The emphasis is not on puck control, not European style, but North American. Emissions, stuffing, physical pressure, forchek. It's not about whether he is primitive or not, they just have the right footage for such a game. Those who can cover large volumes of movement, are good in contact wrestling, are ready to work hard, and this brings them success. Yes, this is similar to what is played in the AHL. There are practically no back passes, a minimum of "breakouts" (controlled transition from defense to attack. - Approx. I.E.) with puck control, if you are near your blue line - throw the puck, if near the red line - throw in, and there will be a forecheck. When everyone is doing the same thing, seeing the game the same way, the efficiency of this type of hockey can be very high. In the end, they won the regular season and made it to the seventh match of the final. This means that everything was done more or less correctly, since the efficiency is so high.

- Isn't the reason for your victory that Metallurg played more complex and smarter hockey?

I would like to think so, although I do not know the answer to this question. By by and large we played similar in many ways, even though we still focus on something else. because CSKA didn't give us space. With such an aggressive forecheck that they used, our players had almost no time to play any combination. Is that our first three Mozyakin- - did whatever she wanted. But they can do something, they can "draw something" against anyone, they have been playing together for the fourth year already. And all the rest - we just tried to play actively, not invent anything superfluous. There was definitely a similarity.

Paul MAURICE (center) and Ilya VOROBYEV (left). Photo by Alexey IVANOV, "SE"

"MAGNET" HELPED TO CHOOSE THE FLOOR MAURICE

- Which of the two Gagarin Cups was the hardest for you?

Oh, you can't tell right away. I played in the finals several times, but only with "Magnitka" managed to win. The first one probably brought great satisfaction. After all, so many years in hockey, and finally won something. And the second ... You know, it was much more difficult. The opponents were very serious. Even in the first round it was very, very difficult with us. Once you win, and even if you don’t reigning champion, on you it is all the same "mark" from the side of rivals. Who are ready to do anything to prevent you from winning again. So the second, perhaps, was harder. In addition, in the final we were opposed by CSKA- almost the best team The KHL at that time, and even now they, if they are inferior to anyone, then only. In general, winning the Gagarin Cup is such a difficult path, you spend so much energy, so concentrated that you feel a kind of numbness. Like an unfeeling blockhead acting on instincts. But then, when the final siren of the last match sounds, all this quickly passes, and there is nothing equal to this feeling. Because you understand how much work you put in, and that it paid off after all. In fact, you cannot describe what exactly rushes through your head, what these emotions are, but it breaks through.

- As far as I know, you could have ended up in CSKA when you decided to move to the KHL. CSKA were one of the two main contenders.

There were conversations, I heard that they were interested, but I would not raise this topic, because I do not know the details of the negotiations. I think I ended up in the right place ( smiles).

- Why did you choose Magnitka? Moscow was on the other side of the scale.

You know, before the transition, in the spring of 2013, I talked with (the coach who worked with Magnitogorsk in the 2012/13 season, just before "Metallurgist"). We have a common agent, and he gave me his contacts. And Paul praised the club very much, said that the organization there was at the highest level, that Magnitogorsk was an ideal place for playing hockey. He said that the team really lacks a player like me, that the partners will be in perfect order, and we will definitely achieve success. There is nothing to even think about - that was his message, although he admitted that he would not coach "Metallurgist" next season. At the same time, he said that if there was an opportunity to return, he would definitely return. So I had no doubts about the choice. And then, after I had already signed the contract, he headed Magnitka. Which really inspired me. Not because he is Canadian, but because he is a legend.

- Once you said in an interview Metroland Media : "We fly in style, we stay in hotels in style, we play in style, the league is great."

Since that time, nothing has changed, this is still the case. I can’t speak for other clubs, but at Magnitogorsk, everything is exactly what is on the highest level... Our club treats the players very carefully and does a great job. Every day he asks: "Is everything all right?" And this is not a routine question, he is really interested. And if something is really wrong, they will help you right there. I personally have nothing to complain about at all. And if someone asks me if it is worth going to "Metallurgist", I'll say, "Don't even doubt it."

- But what about the city, dotted with smoking pipes, the climate?

A beautiful city. From the hockey point of view, everything is perfect here. And I came here to play hockey. And the fewer temptations, the fewer things that can distract you from your main occupation, the better. You focus on work, which is great. As for the pipes, things are not as bad as they seem. It's just that usually people who come to Magnitogorsk on hockey business settle in a hotel near our arena. And there are all the windows on these pipes ( laughs). Therefore, it seems as if there is nothing but pipes. In fact, they don't even always smoke. And so - with the climate and nature, everything is great. The city center is good, with restaurants in order.

- Do you often visit the metallurgical plant?

Visited several times. Very cool and thought provoking. You see how all this happens, you see how people work who put much more work into their work than we do. And they are very supportive of us. Therefore, knowing how they plow, we simply cannot afford the slightest indulgence. We play for each other, but primarily for them. And they must correspond to them.

- I know that you are very excited about the Eurotour because it allows you to see your family during the season. Why not transport to Magnitogorsk?

My son has Down syndrome, so I can't transport them. There is simply no necessary conditions so that he can stay here. There are no relevant institutions. Therefore, they stay there.

SURE MOZYAKIN WOULD HAVE SUCCESS IN THE NHL

- During the last season, Keenan was replaced as head coach. Why, in your opinion, did the leadership change? And what did it give?

Why - it's not for me to judge, but the shift itself went very smoothly, since Ilya worked here and with Maurice, and at Keenana was an assistant. He perfectly knew the capabilities of all the guys, and this is actually very important. If you take a coach from the outside, then it takes him a lot of time to get to know everyone better. Vorobiev did not break anything, just made a few adjustments. We slightly modified our actions in the forecheck, added a couple of "breakouts", began to switch from defense to attack in a slightly different way. He had several ideas, he tested them, and they turned out to be working, making our life easier. Again - here it was only about adjustments in terms of the transition from defense to attack and vice versa. And it didn't take us long for this, as it could have been if the coach was outside. We quickly found a common language with him, played well under his leadership, the team was impressed. And this is still the case. It is important that Vorobiev speaks English, although all of our assistant chiefs speak English, as does the goalkeeping coach.

- Have you learned Russian?

I understand a lot, but it is very difficult for me to speak. Probably because in the arena everything is entirely in English, no practice. I can order food in Russian ( laughs), something like that, unpretentious.

- But you don't have many players who know English.

In fact, this is not the case. A lot of people say. Sometimes it happens that the legionnaires say something to the local guys in Russian, and they reply in English. A fun mix. But we understand each other perfectly, especially when it comes to hockey. And even if someone does not understand something, there is always a person who will help and explain everything. In this regard, we have a very friendly team.

- Do you even communicate with the taciturn Mozyakin?

He also speaks English. And very good.

- I wonder what he is like as a captain? Judging by the way he communicates with the press, in the locker room he is clearly not a "vocal leader", as they say overseas.

Definitely not. He is from the category of captains, who spur the team by their example. And an example here is what you need - he is the best KHL player for a very long time. In the locker room, he is rather silent, as if a little closed. He rarely speaks, but when he speaks, everyone becomes quiet. "Quiet everything, Mozzie says." But in general, we have someone to "push speech" without him. Zaripov, For example. He's very good at that. It's great to have people like Mozyakin and Zaripov, in a team. Both are legends, both have great authority. Everyone listens to them.

- What makes Mozyakin so special?

I wish I knew ( laughs). I myself have been trying to find out for a long time. This is my fourth year at Magnitka and I still can't stop him in training. Whatever I do. I don’t understand how he does it. It seems to me that on a mental level, the game for him runs at a completely different speed. In his head, it is much slower than for others than it actually is. And, having this advantage, he manages to see and calculate everything. It is difficult for me to understand how this is possible, this is already at the level of subtle matters. He best player who I've ever played with, what I've ever seen. In general, having moved to the KHL, at first I was stunned by how fast and skilled, even young guys, are here compared to Sweden and Germany. And he - so in general. Mozyakin, by the way, helped me grow as a player. I play against him all the time Kovarja and Zaripova in training. That is, I have to confront players of a level that is not so common in the KHL. And not only I can't figure out Sergei, the whole league can't. His trio continues to dominate, it is a pleasure to look at them.

- Are there any players you could call similar to Mozyakin?

V European leagues oh and in the KHL - definitely not. They should probably be in the NHL, but I didn't get to play there. Honestly, I would really like to see how Mozyakin plays in the National hockey league... Just wondering how he would have done there, although I'm sure he would have succeeded there. I have never seen anything like it outside the NHL.

- You did a couple of training sessions with Pittsburgh. Didn't you leave an impression?

Yes, I spent two whole days in the NHL, but I never played ( laughs). And Sid and Gino - I remember them well ( smiles). In the only workout I was at at the Penguins, we practiced 2-in-1 exits. And I was put up against Crosby With Malkin... It seems that in one exit they managed to pass the puck to each other six times. And I - to make two turns around its axis. When I came to, the puck was already in the goal. In general, I drove dejectedly to the central circle, and there either Mark Eaton or Brooks Orpik They told me: “Don’t worry, they’re all“ undressing. ”He cheered up a little. But it was something.

Tim BRENT (left) and Chris Lee with the Gagarin Cup. Photo by Alexey IVANOV, "SE"

IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN TO MYSELF HOW I COULD PASS

- Your whole career looks incredible. You from the third division of the US student league managed to get into the professional, which rarely anyone succeeds, while you almost made it to the NHL, set several records in the European leagues and the KHL, won two Gagarin Cups, being one of the team leaders. And they were retrained as defenders only at the age of 25. How is this possible?

God knows. This topic has already been raised in conversations with a couple of people. And it was difficult for me even to myself to explain how it happened. Maybe I should have played defensively from the very beginning. Maybe it's about believing in yourself, hoping, never giving up, plowing like a damn thing. If you do everything as it should, give all of yourself to work, sooner or later you will reach another level. And as for the change of position - when the coach told me that he was putting me on the defensive, I thought he was crazy. But I played a couple of matches, and he said that he would not return me to the attack. I said, "Well, ok." I finished the season like that, and then they told me that they wanted to sign me for the next one as a defender. "Let's try" - it seems that was my answer. It worked, as you can see. Why it worked - try to figure it out. I have always read the game well, I knew very well what to do in certain cases. And all the same, there are a lot of differences in the game of attackers and defenders. Maybe being a defencist was my vocation. And it took 25 years for me to realize it ( laughs).

- From defenders to attackers - it happens that they are already moving to mature age... Brent Burns, Dustin Baflin - as examples. But to the contrary, at 25, I don’t remember. Obviously need a high hockey IQ ... Have you tried to develop?

You know, I've always been a good hockey theorist. And, as we say, he was a "hockey student". That is, I watched a lot of hockey, noticed some details for myself, especially when I changed my position. I watched the games and tried to see some little things that help the defenders in the game in defense. To get stronger is better. This game is my life, my passion, it would be foolish not to devote all of myself to it.

- Who was being followed when you tried to adapt to the new position? ? ?

It was always pleasant to watch them, smart attacking defenders. Actually, our coach is about the same game, with a discount on the level, and wanted from me. So that I connect to the attacks using my skating, help the attack as much as I can. Of course, I did not reach their heights, but I learned something. The hardest thing to learn is when to connect, at what moment. This cannot be done on a permanent basis. Because it is fraught with attacks from the opponent with an advantage in the player and goals in your goal. You need to be able to calculate the risks. It seems that I was able to assimilate this aspect.

- At the university, you probably underwent risk management. Did it help?

In fact, I entered the State University of New York in the Department of Natural Sciences, and only as I graduated did I transfer to business management. I think that helped. Higher education generally helps in life, because it develops you intellectually. I don’t know how much real intelligence intersects with hockey, but I like to think that people who are smart outside the ice are also smart on it. However, there are also opposite examples. Therefore, it is difficult to grasp the connection here. But I think it helped. For the rest I will not say.

- When you graduated from university, did you imagine yourself at least for a second in professional hockey?

Absolutely not. Definitely not. From the third division to professional sports to get there is almost impossible. Far from everything comes from the higher. Where is the third. And there also the lockout in the NHL began when I graduated from university, that is, in the lower leagues, and so the box was full. Truth, last season I got it good. And I even got a call from a couple of East Coast League teams. But I thought that they were calling for nothing to do. So I finished calmly, received a diploma, but in the summer they showed interest in me again, and then I already thought, maybe it's worth trying? I called my close friend, his father worked in Florida Everblades equipment manager. He said that they are interested in me. He replied not to sign anything yet and arranged an interview for me, and I eventually signed a contract. Even for myself, it was a complete surprise.

- What would you be doing if you didn't get into the Everblades?

Do not know. Something I learned, management, I guess. I didn't have much time to think about the future - I signed the contract pretty quickly. And I can't imagine what would have happened to me now, who I would become, what I would have achieved.

Chris Lee. Photo by HC "Metallurg".

TWO YEARS IN FIGURE SKATING

- Obviously, large venues were only good for you. Why?

It's easier for me to use my skating here. Due to the width of the courts, the time for making a decision increases by about half a second, which is a lot for hockey. There is no time to think on narrow ones. And then you have time to see what your partners are doing, and you can calculate the best option to develop an attack, for example. I like big glades, it's more interesting to play on them. The game itself turns out to be smarter, or something.

- Where, by the way, do you have such great skating? Niedermeier himself might have liked it. Figure skating did not do?

Actually, I did. For two whole years. I was thirteen years old, I probably don't remember anymore - I became old. My father met an instructor figure skating who moved to our tiny town. And he told me to work with him. I had to obey, although the idea itself hated me. But he explained to me that I would be doing hockey skates, that there would be no pirouettes. Those sessions were very rewarding. She, the instructor, worked on my balance, on turns, acceleration, on an instant change of direction. She helped me skate harder because I was very young. Although I am still small ( laughs). My skating is little that I can be proud of. And I achieved the current level largely thanks to that instructor. In general, the more skating allows you, the longer you can play. So I always gave it to great attention and still give it.

- And how long can you? Now you are gaining a point per match. And as if you are adding every year, despite your age. How does this come out?

I don't understand myself. It should be the other way around. The guys say that I just learned to give the puck to Mozyakin, and he "decides" there himself, because I have so many points ( laughs). Well, how not to give it back? I don't know, I just try to always be in good shape, I take care of my body. I try to play smart, I work on skating. While I'm at the level - I can play, experience is only a plus. It would be nice to continue the season in the same spirit.

- Returning to the topic of courts, the other day I called on the NHL to increase their size and return the red line to make the game a little slower and safer. He seems to have had eight concussions in his career and is committed to safety.

I also think it would be worth increasing. Maybe not up to 30 meters, but up to 28, but it would be worth it. It would be good for the game too. It only seems that these two meters will not solve anything - they will, and how. There is a lot of confusion and collisions now. And as for the red line - it's hard for me to judge.

“Do you remember how it feels to play with the red line?

I remember a little. With red, everything is a little different, everything seems so small. It's easier to pin down the opponent, because you can't make a pass under the far blue one. True, if you manage to get out of the pressure, then danger immediately appears. Perhaps there is some truth in Lindros' words. But hockey has always been a traumatic sport and will remain so. If you go out on the ice, you accept these risks. Well, individual speeds have grown, as well as dimensions. That is, perhaps it would not have given anything. It is more important to remove punches to the head from the game, and you definitely need to fight this. Well, the expansion of sites is a more effective measure.

Ilya KOVALCHUK (left) and Alexander RADULOV. Photo by Alexander FEDOROV, "SE"

KOVALCHUK IS NOT AS GOOD AS PANARIN WITH RADULOVY

- Which of the attackers is the most difficult for you to play against in the KHL?

There were two, but they both left for the NHL - Radulov and . It is very difficult with them. Both are amazingly skilled, Radulov is also endowed with a very large physical strength... It is very difficult to deal with it. And Panarin seems so small, you think - now I will put it. But he easily leaves you, very nimble. It was always interesting with them. It's a pity they left. But Mozyakin is still stronger - I know him well from training.

He's good, but not as good as Panarin With Radulov... True, it is having a great season. I'll take a closer look at him the next time we meet SKA. In the first meeting, he did not make much of an impression, those two still caused more problems.

- Is it a dream for other teams to have the same roster as SKA?

Their composition is, of course, fantastic. In their team, count five links at the level of the first of any other teams. In attack, they do something unimaginable. And it looks like they will break a lot of records. I remember our recent meeting, we even led 2: 1, but in the end they beat us. It's all good, but "Motorist" I beat them recently. This means that others will be able to. So anything can be. You should never give a victory to someone in advance. We have proven it.

Oleg Li played his first match against HC Sochi official match for SKA. Threw three times on goal and almost got into a fight at the post-match handshake. From the game, apparently, there was something unsaid in relation to one of the rivals. The first match is always strong emotions ...

“We still have a match with them ahead of us, you’ll figure it out,” Viktor Tikhonov, who pulled Oleg away from the enemy, acted as the peacekeeper of the situation.

Petersburg, I must say, met Oleg Li, who moved from Amur this summer, not very hospitably. I just showed up for the pre-season training camp - an Infinity was hijacked on Nevsky.

Flights didn't bother me much

- You, Oleg, did not take the subway to the match for an hour - how did HC Sochi, whose bus had an accident?
- Yes, everything is fine, the car was with me - they returned.

- How did you miss her? In the city center there is more ...
- Oh, let me expand on this topic.

- But it's still inhospitable, it turns out that Peter met you ...
- On the contrary - I met the city well. It's just that there are, let's say, dishonest people everywhere ...

- When did you find out that SKA is your next club?
- Towards the end of the season, the agent said that there was such an option. To be honest, I was not aware of how events developed further. So, in fact, I found out that I would play in SKA when the exchange took place.

Moreover, they traded you together with your partner in the troika, Alexei Byvaltsev. Both, for sure, exhaled: "Finally, we will stop living on airplanes!"
- I may surprise you, but long flights did not bother me much. It was more difficult to reorganize to time zones. I really liked Khabarovsk - a beautiful sunny city with excellent fans ...

- ... who would probably ask you now: “So why didn't you stay ?!”.
- Life does not stand still. We need to go forward, to achieve new heights. SKA is a new level for me. The St. Petersburg club has great ambitions - here it is important not just to get into the playoffs, but to win the Gagarin Cup. This, again, is a new level and a great challenge for a hockey player.

I would even say for a bunch of hockey players. During last year's regular season, your tandem with Alexei Byvaltsev was one of the most productive in the KHL ...
- It's good, of course, if we continue to be graduated in one troika. We have a good understanding with Alyosha. Now we have played the first official match for SKA together. Further it will be seen how it goes. It is up to the coaches to decide who to bet with whom. Our business is to try, to work, to justify trust.

I never even thought about accepting the citizenship of another country

With all due respect to Amur, Admiral, Atlant and Lada, your former clubs, SKA is still the most serious club in your career. What was the first thing that caught your eye here?
- The fact that SKA is a top club is no secret to anyone. Accordingly, in terms of organization in St. Petersburg, everything is at the highest level.

- For instance?
- Yes, it is manifested in everything, in any little things. Earlier you, it would seem, did not even think about what is needed hockey team, but it is and is beneficial. It's just hard to pick out one thing right off the bat. Is that the "Hockey City". But this is far from a trifle. An excellent sports complex that has everything. Moreover, not only for professional athletes. For the younger generation of hockey players - children, youths, conditions are also excellent here. Just work and don't think about anything.

Does it bother you that the base is located within the city? Usually coaches take their teams to training camps away from civilization.
- For me it really was a new experience. Usually in the summer I worked with a team somewhere outside the city. But here, too, I liked everything - it's a sin to complain.

- Ilya Vorobyov's preseason - what is it like?
- Workouts are not too long, but very intense. Physical training coaches worked with us on the ground. Good trainers, interesting activities ...

I remember that on the eve of the 2018 Olympics, representatives of the Korean Ice Hockey Federation invited you to play for their national team in Pyeongchang. Finding yourself in today's conditions, you hardly regret that you refused ...
- I never even thought of accepting the citizenship of another country. Even if we are talking about sports citizenship. I was born in Russia (in Volgograd - "Sports Day by Day"), grew up in Russia, Russia is my home.

SKA is the base club of the national team. Probably, you are really looking forward to the moment when you put on the jersey of the first team of the country for the first time ... You have already played for the second one ...
- Still not to wait! Of course, I wait, hope and work in order to make this dream come true.

Malkin and Crosby were allowed to join Chris Lee in the NHL, and he came to Magnitogorsk to earn money, beat all the KHL records and even got into the national team.

Moved to Russia to earn money for the treatment of his son

The defender's wife Eilen and his sons Carter and Jackson live in the United States. When Chris just moved to Magnitogorsk, he immediately outlined his main goal: to earn more money for Carter's treatment. The child has Down syndrome, but the father is not going to despair.

- When we first learned about this diagnosis, we were shocked, of course. But now we see nothing wrong with that. Our son is a gift from heaven, like any other child. He is our son, and we love him very much, - said the Canadian four years ago.

The hockey player is definitely not dissembling, new photos of Carter are constantly appearing on the Lee spouses' instagram. Moreover, the five-year-old boy already has his own account.

The children have never come to Russia, they mostly see their dad through FaceTime. But Eilen has already been to the city of magnets and mountains twice, the first time she flew to support her husband at the final game in the series with "Lion".

Record man

The Canadian has already set several records in the KHL. In the 2014/15 season, he became the best assistant among defenders with 37 assists in the regular season. He has 51 assists this season. In February of this year, Lee became the most productive defender in the history of the USSR and Russian championships, and in the match against Barys he broke the record among defense players in terms of points scored in one playoff.

Malkin and Crosby interfered with the NHL

It's amazing, but a hockey player with such qualities has never played in the NHL. Although Lee still had a contract with the National League club: in 2008, he was signed by the New York Islanders. But it was not destiny to play Chris in the best league in the world - in exhibition match against the Florida Panthers, he faced Rostislav Olesh and lost consciousness. After a serious injury, the newcomer had no chance to gain a foothold in the Islanders, so he had to return to the AHL. He played out the season at the Islanders' farm club, Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

A year later, Lee had another chance to make it to the NHL. Chris then played for the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins, and during the season he was called on the main team of Pittsburgh. Lee once practiced with the base, but he was never called for a match. And it's not hard to guess why.

- At the only training session at the Penguins that I was, we practiced 2-in-1 exits. And I was put up against Crosbis Malkin. It seems that in one go they managed to pass the puck to each other six times. And I - to make two turns around its axis. When I came to, the puck was already in the gate.

After the second unsuccessful attempt, the 30-year-old had no patience left at that moment, and he went to Germany, to the Kellner Haye club.

Could go to SKA, CSKA, Avangard or Salavat

Despite the fact that Lee was not featured in the NHL, the scouts of many Russian teams paid attention to him. Even before the Canadian moved to Russia, there were rumors that SKA, Avangard and Salavat Yulaev wanted to get Chris Lee and Alexander Salak. Salak became an army player, and Lee a few months later moved to Metallurg, which won the competition against CSKA. As Lee himself said, in the end he ended up in the right place.

Changed hockey

Chris Lee was originally a forward. He was only promoted to defense in his second season for the professional club, when he played for the Florida Everblades in the ECHL. So it should come as no surprise that the Canadian is so productive in the KHL.

Played for the national team in the German Cup

Given this relationship with the NHL, Lee was not particularly useful for the national team, but last October he was called to play in the German Cup with other hockey players from the KHL and the European leagues. The Canadians finished second, and in the most important game against the Slovaks, Lee did not score a bullet after the match.

Perhaps Chris will have a second chance to get into the national team: the NHL has banned hockey players who play in the league from going to the Olympics in Pyeongchang. Linemolod, but not long before the Olympics.