Wit

That's what got us really sort of over the edge.

And at such a young age, at 20, Alex maybe, yeah, Alex was 21, he came in, give us that physical conditioning where we look good, okay, we look okay, right from the get-go.

So we'll be able to play adult hockey right away.

You know, early 90s, it's a cut-throw game.

I mean, you were on your own from when you were 13 years old.

Just coming over to the US, you being the only Russian guy on the team, that must have made it a little easier just because you've been doing it on your own since you were so young.

I believe so.

It's a great experience.

I knew where I should stay and sleep and study.

I knew bus number, which is number 77.

I knew two bus stops, my school and a hockey rink.

And on the way back, the same thing.

But Minsk were great.

Really, guys, I have a school that starts at 11.40, so I would get up at 7, 7.30 and go to 9...

30, 10 o'clock practice.

Practice for one hour with a year younger guys.

Then my school until 5 or 6 p.m.

And then I practice with three years older guys, two years older guys.

And all the coaches gave me really big favor.

I saw my Spets class, Spets team, only Saturday, Sunday.