Kaprizov unexpectedly dropped out of speed contest at NHL All-Star Game

Athletistic/Hockey. Russian hockey player Kirill Kaprizov, who plays for Minnesota, was among nine Russians invited to this year’s National Hockey League All-Star Game.

On the night of February 3-4, Moscow time, “skills” competitions were held, one of which Kirill himself was supposed to take part in. However, just before the start, it turned out that Kaprizov refused to compete for the fastest race, deciding to switch disciplines with former Minnesota teammate Kevin Fiala.

As a result, Kirill took part in the goalkeeper tandem competition.

American journalist: “Kaprizov looks like a superstar”

Here’s how hockey fans in the United States reacted to the shakeup:

Pack Jo-6:
– Cyril seems to me a rather shy and reserved guy. When caught on cameras, he appeared to just be hanging out with Ovechkin’s son. I don’t think he’s comfortable being in the media spotlight, which is cool.

rik1122:
– I can’t blame Kirill for not wanting to deal with the media. Being a professional hockey player is necessary in every aspect except answering the endless stream of stupid questions posed by the press. I would only be happy if he learned English for private communication, but still manages to invoke the language barrier to escape the media.

BrandAOC-BartendAgain:
– I think at one point Cyril couldn’t stand it and said, “Damn it! “. He comes across as someone who doesn’t really care about any of this, and I don’t blame him.

SupremeNachos:
“He knew from the start how terrible the All-Star Game was going to be this year and he didn’t want his face to be part of it.

33165564:
– In total, he appeared in the frame for about 45 seconds … all because Kirill is not Ovechkin. lol.

Carol Kaprizov:
– In fact, Kirill is an incredible and sincere person, whose children can take an example. We are very lucky to have such a player in our team.

mikekostr:
– In any case, he didn’t lose much, because Kaprizov is by no means the fastest player in the world.

@tupark10:

– Kaprizov did not come to Florida to sweat.

@jonmunce:

– Never tell me news like “Kaprizov has changed…” again. Then you will definitely bring me to a heart attack.

@Vikes_Guy1:

– Don’t say such words! I almost had a heart attack too.

It should be noted that Kaprizov, who became Minnesota’s sole representative at the NHL All-Star Game, did not want to take an extra day off and fly direct from Florida to Arizona for the NHL All-Star Game. Monday against the Coyotes.

Instead, the Russian striker will return to St. Paul to train with the team on Sunday before leaving with the rest of the Wild players.

Recall that this season, Kirill has played all 48 fights, scoring 59 effective actions.

Kaprizov is the Wild’s top goalscorer, assist and goalscorer in the current campaign.

The match “Minnesota” with “Arizona” will take place on February 7.

Kaprizov graduated from Novokuznetsk hockey. He was selected by the Minnesota Wild in the fifth round, 135th overall, in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Olympic champion of the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang. Silver medal at the 2016 Junior World Championships. Bronze medal at the 2017 Junior World Championships. Winner of the Gagarin Cup (2019). 2019 World Championship Bronze Medalist. 2021 Calder Trophy winner for NHL Top Newcomer.

On July 13, 2020, Kaprizov signed a two-year rookie contract with the Minnesota Wild NHL club. He made his NHL debut on January 14, 2021 in a game against the Los Angeles Kings, in which he scored 3 points, allowed two assists and scored the game-winning goal in overtime.

On March 12, 2021, the Russian scored his first NHL hat trick, scoring three goals against the Arizona Coyotes. On June 30, 2021, Kirill received the Calder Trophy, the NHL’s top rookie award.

On September 21, 2021, Kaprizov signed a five-year, $45 million contract with the Minnesota Wild.

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