Head coach mid-July S.K.A. Roman Rotenberg reported in the telegram channel:
“Very soon, our team will have one more Russian citizen. SKA newcomer Brendan Leipsik has expressed a desire to take Russian citizenship and has written a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin. In football it is quite common practice, more recently Zenit players Malcolm and Claudinho received Russian passports, and Brazil in football is like Canada in hockey. Now we need to strengthen our championship as much as possible, and if such a strong hockey player as Brendan receives Russian citizenship, this will only fix his desire to play in the KHL…”
In August leipzig flew to the tournament in Sochi, where correspondents spoke to him.
From the interview you will learn:
“I feel like I’m part of Russian culture, I like everything”
– You are not the first among foreign hockey players who decided to take Russian citizenship. But tell us why you decided to do it?
– For the past three years I have played in the Kontinental Hockey League, I am going to the fourth season. I feel good in Russia, my family feels good here. I intend to spend the rest of my career in the KHL. I’m 29, you can still play and play.
I live in Russia, I feel like part of Russian culture which I accept – I like everything. And if we weigh all this, then the decision to apply for Russian citizenship, to obtain a Russian passport, seems quite logical.
– This practice also exists among the Russians when they come to the NHL. The same Pavel Bure first took the second American citizenship, but then he surrendered his American passport. That is, for a professional hockey player, such a move is a common thing?
– I don’t really know the situations that the Russians had in the NHL. But I consider the KHL to be one of the best leagues in the world, I want to build a long and successful career here. We can’t do anything with the international situation, and it’s not up to us. We are athletes, we do our job. In the last three years my family flew to Russia, I live and work here. We are great in your country.
“But in North America, bad stories about Russia are often published. Did this influence your decision? What have your Canadian friends told you?
Everyone can have their own opinion, that’s fine. I’m not going to convince anyone. I speak only from my experience. I played for CSKA, then for Metallurg, and now I’ve moved to SKA. I feel very good here. I like Russian hockey. I’ve always had great teammates in the KHL. Why should I listen to someone and take in my head the negative that is born from someone who has never even been to Russia?
– Describe that evening when you came home, the whole family is sitting at the table and you say: “I decided to apply for a Russian passport.” What was his reaction?
– There was no such moment. And there are no problems here. The appearance of a passport from another country, in fact, changes little. I will just continue to play in the KHL. I don’t see a grandiose sensation here.
“St. Petersburg is my favorite place in Russia”
Have you ever played for Canada before?
— Yes, never.
– Do you have a dream to play for the Russian national team one day? Maybe at the World Cup or the World Championships.
– It does not depend on me. We still have to see if they invite me to the Russian national team. And for this you need to get not only a Russian passport, but also sports citizenship. Now it’s important for me to perform well in the KHL in order to have a great record. And if I play hardball, and they invite me and write all the paperwork, then why not?
– If you are invited to the national team by Roman Rotenberg.
“As they say in Canada, let’s first cross the bridge to the other side, then see what’s over there.”
— What are your impressions of St. Petersburg, one of the most beautiful cities in the world?
— As an SKA player, I have not yet known Peter. But for the past three years, I’ve been flying to this wonderful city. I will tell you that St. Petersburg is my favorite place in Russia that I have been to. Indeed, a very beautiful historic city with European culture. My fiancée has been to St. Petersburg several times and is also delighted. Incredible architecture, each house literally breathes history. Bridges, canals, parks. There are old buildings, but there are also modern skyscrapers. Saint Petersburg is an amazing place to live and play hockey.
– Have you already found an apartment in St. Petersburg?
– Not yet. I was in St. Petersburg for just one day, then flew to Sochi. There just wasn’t the time yet. But in time, I will solve the housing problem.
– Will you hire a driver in Russia?
No, I’m used to driving myself.
– Have you already understood the organization of the SKA?
– I spent four years in the NHL, played for Toronto, Vegas, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Washington. Sharing my experience, I can say that the SKA organization is up to NHL standards. Soon there will be a new arena for 23,000 spectators, an excellent Hockey City base, quality service for players in training and during the KHL season. Everything here is very professional and cool.
– Your former head coach Ilya Vorobyov, with whom you worked in Magnitogorsk, said that you have a tattoo in Russian. Can you show her?
“Yes, I did,” smiled Lipsik. “But I can’t show and I won’t tell his story.
– Maybe you stuffed the Kremlin there? Or Vladimir Putin?
– It’s personal. Vorobyov is right: I have a Russian tattoo. But it’s my secret.
“Playing with Ovechkin is like being in the same dressing room as Gretzky”
– Can you imagine that you will live in Russia after your hockey career?
— I have not yet received a Russian passport and you are already wondering what will happen in 10 years or more. I do not know yet. And in the course of a career, anything can happen. Now I just like being in the center of Russian culture, I like your way of life.
– You spent the season in Washington. Did you consult Alexander Ovechkin before becoming Russian?
“No, no, we don’t communicate that closely. We have had no such call. But I remember that season very well in Washington. Playing in the same team with Ovechkin is amazing. I remember I was still a kid, when he came to the NHL and put everyone on their toes. I was 11 at the time and saw him start playing for the Capitals.
It’s like sitting in the same locker room with Gretzky or Lemieux. It’s very cool to be Ovechkin’s teammate, and of course, it’s an unforgettable experience. What is important is that Alexander is not only a cool player, but also a great guy. He immediately said to me: “Welcome to the team!” A true captain and team player.
– Well, imagine that Russia is allowed to participate in the Olympics in 2026, and you play in Milan in the same team as Alexander Ovechkin. And it’s your first Olympics in your life, and you score the golden goal in the final with Ovechkin’s pass. Isn’t it a fairy tale?
– Well, you fantasized! Lipsik laughs. It’s hard for me to imagine now. Of course, few people in my place would turn down such a prospect. But let’s wait and see what happens in 2026.
“SKA is similar to the NHL club in terms of play”
— What is your favorite word in Russian?
– I can’t say that. I have been trying to learn Russian for the past two years. There is progress, but so far I don’t have an everyday language to speak in Russia. And I’m not ready to show Russian in an interview on yet. Give me time to get a little better at it.
— Will you take lessons with a tutor? Or is knowing the language not so important?
No, no, it’s important. When communicating with teammates, live in Russia, then every day you learn new words, your vocabulary grows. You walk down the street, you sit in restaurants. I heard something, I remembered something. The language can come to you even in everyday life, and every year it will be easier and easier for me to speak.
— What is your favorite Russian dish?
– Here I can list very long, because the choice is huge. I love borscht, but in general, Russian food often resembles what we eat in North America. You have a very diverse cuisine, and everyone will find a dish to their liking.
— What are your first impressions of the SKA team? Now, at the Sochi tournament, for example, a young group of Matvey Michkov – Ivan Demidov looks great.
— Yes, SKA has incredible juniors. They have a bright future behind them, just like Chicago now believes in Connor Bedard. Everyone understands that Michkov and Demidov are very talented, but apart from that they work hard in training. Let’s all look at their progress together. I think they will reach great heights in hockey.
– Is the SKA similar to the NHL club in terms of play? Speed hockey, pressure, power struggle.
— Yes, we try to play fast and aggressive hockey. KHL playing fields have become smaller in recent years, approaching North American standards. This brings Russian hockey closer to the NHL. Teams are now trying to play vertically, goal to goal. Yes, somewhere the halls are wider, and after leaving North America, you still have to adapt to it. But it doesn’t take much time.
It is also important that SKA pays a lot of attention to the small details in hockey that need to be worked on, what needs to be improved. This is what makes success.
Source : MatchTV
I’m Emma Smith, a dedicated journalist and avid storyteller. I have been writing for news websites for the past 5 years, reporting on hockey news and delivering in-depth analysis of the sport. In my current role as Author at Athletistic, I write about hockey events from around the world to keep followers up-to-date with what’s happening in the sport.
