Dmitry Orlov lately did a Russian language interview with Slippery Ice. Probably the most attention-grabbing takeaways from the sitdown was Orlov explaining how he first met Alex Ovechkin.

The 2 Russians have performed 10 seasons collectively in Washington, however they first met in 2011 when Orlov was a member of the Hershey Bears.

Orlov’s quotes have been transcribed by Sports activities.RU and translated by Google Translate.

The story’s humorous sufficient. The (KHL) season at Metallurg had simply ended – we didn’t make the playoffs, and I left for Hershey after the season, (I used to be) within the AHL for a few months. The contract with Washington started solely the subsequent yr.

I arrive – they meet me, some type of recreation is happening.

A few days later, [Hershey] goes on the street, they usually say to me: ‘Go to Washington, apply with the Capitals for now.’ I arrive – coaching the subsequent day within the morning, someplace at 10:30 pm I am going to mattress and I get a name.

Though I had simply arrived in America, solely an agent made a cellphone for me, I don’t know anybody but – who can name my cellphone already? And I’m pondering: ‘Ought to I take this or not?’

‘Howdy?’

‘Outdated buddy. How are you? That is Sasha Ovechkin! We simply flew in. Let’s exit for a drink after apply or get a meal in a restaurant.’

‘Sure, I’ve coaching tomorrow.’

Then Sasha Semin picked up the cellphone and requested: ‘Are you sleeping? Okay, let’s go to mattress, see you tomorrow.’

And that is the primary cellphone dialog I had. The subsequent day we went to dinner, there was an enormous desk, their associates, I sat with my mouth open.

First time in America, and also you’ve by no means seen them they usually’re stars. And this league for me was non-existent – I don’t know what it’s, the place I ended up. I sat, I keep in mind, sheepishly, watching everybody.

Quick ahead a decade-plus later, Orlov and Ovechkin are shut associates and gained a Stanley Cup collectively in 2018. Ovechkin attended Orly’s 31st celebration in Russia. In the meantime, Orlov performed in Alex Semin’s retirement recreation with Ovechkin earlier in the summertime.

For a small city child from Metallurg, Orlov’s completed quite a bit in one of the best league on the earth. And he’s completed so with one of many best gamers of all time.