"Mikhail Stefanovich only wants to play hockey"

I found this little interview with Mikhail Stefanovich and since I didn't feel like doing school things, I decided to kill my brain by trying to translate it.
(My Russian isn't the best but I did try to do my best to get the idea)

- I already got Minks jersey, on Monday evening I have a checkup, I think on Tuesday I'll have first training,

And will you play on Tuesday?
- Hardly. Also, my place in the roster is not guaranteed, I still have to prove I earn my place in the team.

How were you farewelled in Toronto? Got some advices?
- Nothing was said. Only call from an agent, told "here's your ticket". That's all.

Contract with Dinamo lasts until the end of the season or can you go back to Canada?
- I won't go over the ocean this season. If, god forbid, I won't be able to geain foodhold in Dinamo, I have to look for other employment options in Belarus.

Miša, it's rumoured that your transition delayed due to your high financial demands. Is this true?
What are you saying?? This is not even close to the case. I only wanted and want to play hockey, not sit on the bank.

Did you have time to talk with Sikora about in which position he see you?
- No, we didn't discuss any hockey details. We only got to know each other, exchanged few words.

And how did the guys welcome you?
- When I arrived at the Minsk Arena, Dinamo had already ended the practice, Kulak (Alexander Kylakov, player) saw me and said: "Oh, Mešok (literal meaning of the word is "bag" but since it was written with capital m, I assume it's some diminutive versions of Mikhail) arrived!". we stood there some time, talked and laughed.

I remember, you always said that you ponder every career move with your father. Did you discuss with him this time and did he support on your return to Belarus?
- Both dad and I wanted one thing - that I would play regularly (have regular game practice).

Miš, judging by voice, you're now on much better mood than when we last talked when I called you in Canada.
- Of course. Now there's certainty. I know what I will fight for. And in Canada wasn't allowed to play nor explained anything (this sentence was bit blurry for me. Home is home. Russian talk around. And food will be normal, not in some fast food place.

By the way, can the lack of play time disadvantage your game in Dinamo?
- I don't think so. The main thing is that I have huge will to play. It's more important.

Merry winter time - hockey cartoons to lighten the dark evenings

This is a Russian hockey cartoon from 1964. It was probably originally shown in one piece but I found it in 3 parts in youtube so that's what we have here. It has no words so don't worry, Russian knowledge is not required.

I had never even heard of this cartoon until I accidentally found it today when trying to find something else. The basic idea is that small town team "Vympel" plays against douche team "Meteor".

It's evening, snowing, kids playing on the ice, finding out there'll be hockey game in the towm... Could it be more cute?


The second clip includes one of the most glorious self-goals ever. Poor guy.


I think I discovered Avery's idol...

Kings need toga parties too

What's this about: Some Swedes decided to write and publish a book called "An unwilling monarch - Carl Gustav XVI", which includes many previously unknown facts of the personal life of King of Sweden. And by unknown facts I mean stories about private parties and lady "friends", most of which apparently have taken place decades ago.

Why this bothers me: First of all, I believe celebrities (well, the ones that are not telling every little detail of their sad pathetic lives to every "news" paper willing to listen) have a right to have private life. And this includes royals. Of course they can't have private life like rest of us can, but they should be allowed to keep the most personal stuff of their life out of headlines. You don't want to have dirty laundry to be done in public, why should they have to do that?
I would understand the point of this book had he done something illegal, like killed someone but as far as I know it only includes party stories with more or less adultery. And while not being recommendable, adultery hardly is a crime. Nor very uncommon. Had he been showing off with these stuffs, I'd see the problem. Now it seems like he was just trying to have some fun and private moments in the middle of being in the spotlight 24/7 and having the media following every step he takes. Can't really blame anyone for wanting that.
So basically all they found out is that the king acted like a normal young man. Only that he had the position and money to do it in a bigger scale. Which I believe doesn't violate against any law. Royals are humans, just like you and me. Why should anyone expect them to be perfect when we know that no one is perfect and everyone make mistakes? And why the fuck they're being blamed for doing the kind of stuff half of the nation does anyways?

Why the authors are obviously eunuchs with no sense of humour: I haven't read the book (nor will I ever buy it because it will only make the writers richer) but our media has been all over it providing some clips of it. One of those was a description of a toga party the king went to. Considering the whole purpose of this book is apparently to show people what a horrible and immoral person the king is, I would assume the authors are saying that going to a toga party is a no no for royals. Which begs the question, is it really fair to violate against the human rights of those poor little crown heads living in that golden jail? As far as I know, toga parties are not against any law and it takes a completely tight ass bitch to forbid their fellow humanbeing the fun of toga party.

The authors of the book are the kids with sleeves in a toga party.
You don't wanna be friends with toga party ruiners, do you?

Men tänk det var det dummaste som apan nånsin gjort

Rumour - one that was accidentaly published on AIK's own website - is that Vesa Toskala has signed with AIK from Elitserien (Swedish Elite League). This however apparently isn't true, at least not yet.
The facts are these:

• AIK is currently second last in the league with only 19 points from 16 games
• They do need goalie because their other goalie, Christopher Heino-Lindberg is currently injured and the number one goalie, Viktor Fasth, has his own history with injuries too
  
• Toskala would be a back-up goalie. A bloody expensive one if he still demands for a about $40 000 per month
• As far as I know, AIK - Djurgården is one of the most heated rivalry in Sweden. He might as well buy his own coffin if he plays that game and loses it
• Name "Toska-lol" has in fact reached all the way to Sweden
• This still seems all very unlikely to me but on the other hand, what do i know?
  

There isn't much of actual information about this out there but here's what I found from hockeyexpressen.se and hockeybladet.se.

AIK close to acquire Toskala

He was the number one goalie in Toronto Maple Leafs last year and has played 266 NHL games.
Now Vesa Toskala, 33, close to a loan agreement with AIK - and could be ready to play already for the derby against Djurgården on Thursday.
- I do not know if it is decided yet, said assistant coach Gunnar Persson to HockeyExpressen.se.

The Finnish star goaltie Vesa Toskala started last season as starter in the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Then the problems started for 33-year-old.
Toskala was first sent to Anaheim Ducks, then to Calgary Flames - before he became free-agent.
Earlier this year Färjestad was said to be "hunting" Toskala, but then the price tag of 350000-400000 kronor (crowns) per month brought it to an end.
Now the spectacular goalkeeper is instead on the way - to AIK.

"Don't know if it's clear yet"

According to both information in Finland and the blog Hockey with Marie Hallman the loan agreement is very close.
- I haven't received any information at all. I don't know if it is decided yet, says the assistant coach Gunnar Persson to HockeyExpressen.se.
- If it is clear it must've happaned late last night.
But Toskala is not intended as a new starter in the AIK.
What is in question right now is a loan for a month and he would be a back up goalie to Viktor Fasth.
- What I've heard is that Christopher Heino-Lindberg has problems with his groin and that we should "secure our back", says Gunnar Persson.
- But that's all I know. It's not certain that it will be Toskala.
It is hoped that Vesa Toskala will be able to play already in the derby against Djurgården on Thursday.

- - -

Boasted about great recruitment
- But nothing is clear

AIK: There were errors in handling
Earlier today for a short period of time the fans could read from AIK's website that the NHL goalie Vesa Toskala is clear for the club.
Shortly thereafter the news were drawn back and nothing is yet clear with 33-year-old.
- We were prepared in case it would become clear and then something went wrong in the handling, says AIK's press officer Adam Ekman.

"There have been errors"

But that he isn't.
- Nothing is settles. There simply have been errors in the handling says AIK's press officer Adam Ekman.
How?
- We were prepared in case something would happen during the day. Then there was a mistake. It was out for 30 seconds but nothing is settled.
The news on the website also quoted a satisfied sports director Anders Gozzi.
- This is a very good solution for both Vesa and AIK. Christopher Heino-Lindberg needs time to rehabilitate his groin. Toskala is looking for a club in the NHL or the KHL and needs to play at as high a level as possible meanwhile. Therefore, this is a very good solution for both parties. Viktor Fasth still owna the first "spade", says Gozzi.

"Nobody knows how close it is"

Now Gozzi mission to end negotiations with the goalkeeper in the middle of the media spotlight.
- No one knows how close it is exactly. Only Anders Gozzi can answer to that.
Hard to deny that you are negotiating now?
- Yes, one can believe that we do it anyways.
The Finn has previously represented Färjestad in the Elitserien has last played with the Calgary Flames in the NHL. Before this season, however, the 33-year-old had trouble finding a club that wants to invest in him.
Sportbladet has in vain sought Anders Gozzi for a comment.

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Other Elitserien news, Wallin will miss 6 weeks due to an injury :(

Because Swedes make fan songs better


Somewhat correct lyrics via google because I'm lazy.