“Launch pad to NHL”

The end of the ice hockey season is always a happy time for the youths in the Yaroslavl ice hockey school. They’re given new hockey sticks for their achievements during the year.

Artyom Melnikov, ten-year-old wunderkind goalkeeper, says the awards bring him and his team-mates closer to their dream.

“Our school in Yaroslavl is the best in Russia. And for us it’s like a launch pad to the NHL. It's our dream to play there, because it has the world's best players”.

Five years ago, young goalie Simeon Varlamov stood on the same stage as Artyom. That was after his junior team took three out of four possible golds in the regional championships.

The rising star

In Varlamov’s first year as a pro, Lokomtiv Yaroslavl reached the final of Russia’s Super League. Many said the team’s success was mainly down to Varlamov’s saves. His performance certainly attracted the attention of the NHL, because the youngster was soon signed by the Washington Capitals and left for the United States.

“At first it was somewhat unusual. America was like a different world to me with a different culture. Everything was different, and I can honestly say that it was very difficult for me at the beginning,” Varlamov said in an interview with RT.

Having kept the bench warm for most of the season, Semeon’s big chance came during the play-offs, when both first-choice goalies were injured.

When Varlamov stopped Pittsburgh Penguins striker Crosby’s shot, it was labeled “the save of the season”.

“He would win in any sport”

Varlamov’s coach Sergey Kotov (Goalkeeping coach of HC Lokomotiv) says it is his desire to be on top that drives his performance.

“Simeon is just the player, who has no negative characteristics whatsoever. But what impressed me first about that kid is that he seemed to be able to play any game. Even if he had a racquet in his hand, I think, he could win tennis championships”.

Back home in the city of Samara, Varlamov senior also talks of his son’s will to work hard, though Aleksander didn’t expect Simeon to become an ice hockey player.

“He really enjoyed playing football and he did very well, being a natural leader in the team,” the goalie’s father said.

“I really thought he would make a good footballer. Back at that time, we didn’t have any ice rinks in the neighborhood. But as infrastructure developed, Simeon realized that he wanted something else. And he chose ice hockey”.

The 21-year-old Russian goalkeeper has won the hearts of Capitals fans. However, winning the league may be more difficult. But, heading into the crucial match against Pittsburgh, Varlamov says last Sunday’s Russian triumph in Switzerland gave him more than enough inspiration to raise his game for the big match.