Pavel Datsyuk: The mentality in Russian hockey is shocking

Detroit Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk expressed his dismay at the way young hockey players are often treated in the Ekaterinburg, where he owns a youth academy.

«Every summer you pay a visit to the academy in your home town. Were there any problems?»

«It’s an expensive project: the ice, in particular. All the city councils and local governors promise to help and find us new sponsors, but… Some people helped us with the little things, but I don’t like tearing through the bureaucratic jungle, going from office to office, persuading people.»

«Another thing that amazes me is how resistant the local coaches are to our project. It’s as if we are taking their living away from them. But we just want to help and we are open to share experience with them. The Russian mentality is quite shocking: I even saw coaches blackmail the kids’ parents!»

«How so?»

«They say that if the child chooses to go to my camp, they will play him in a third or fourth line. But the lads want to come anyway. Recently, my friends arranged a training camp, quite a few have signed up, but then almost everyone dropped out under pressure from the coaches. My advice to the parents: you’d best avoid the coaches that don’t let your kids learn and improve,» Datsyuk warned.