Below is Bryz's interview to Sport-Express.ru. As always, I kept it as close to the original as possible. Also, I deleted the discussion of the Russian National team woes.
Ilya Bryzgalov: “I might have made a mistake with my occupation. Perhaps, it’s time to become an actor”
Byzgalov’s interview to Sport- Express.ru by Natliya Shmeleva (from Dallas)
"Black Holes"
Q: Please tell our readers about HBO series that made you a TV “star”.
A: The show is called 24/7- the road to winter classic and it is dedicated to 2 hockey teams that will be playing in outdoor game on January 2. It tells people about players and teams on and off the ice. The show tapes conversations and interactions between players, their emotions. My first interview took about an hour; they asked many different questions about life.
Q: You are aware that your answers were the instant hit, right?
A: Maybe they are just different?
Q: Especially, your thoughts about the Universe…
A: I am indeed interested in the Universe- its creation, processes. We have very limited knowledge about it- may be 1%. For example, Black Holes- what is inside them? Mystery!
Q: The spectators have noticed that you are pretty loose in front of the cameras. May be TV is your future?
A: That what I think: maybe I am in a wrong business? Perhaps, I should have become a showman? (laughs). But seriously, it’s not that difficult. You simply need to be natural and ignore the camera. I also have had a lot of experience- I talk to the reporters almost daily. I am used to it.
“We will play in swimming suits”
Q: Jeremy Roenick, famous for his humor, became a TV commentator. Would you like to follow his footsteps?
A: I adore that guy. Ok, I will start looking for showbiz opportunities. (laughs)
Q: Could you become a TV analyst?
A: Hardly. I have been using wrong words way too often. There will be too many bleeps on the air.
But honestly, the level of Russian commentators is way inferior to their American counterparts. The analyst here will clarify the situation on the ice, explain the players’ abilities and skills and will use statistics to prove the point. This info helps to understand the game even for ignorant spectators.
Q: How is preparation for the “Winter Classic”?
A: What Winter Classic? It’s 15 degrees Celsius outside. Will put on swimming suits and play water polo.
Dinner with Bobrovsky
Q: There are a lot of tweets about your mask for the Winter Classic. There depicted famous Philadelphia athletes. Who are they?
A: Bobby Clark is there. I am not sure about the rest. I asked to put 4 most legendary Philadelphia athletes. It was my idea, but a contractor chose whom to portrait.
Q: Why do you have just Philadelphians?
A: I do play for Philadelphia Flyers! There is an expression here: “once a Flyer, always a Flyer”. It’s not just words. We have very loyal and passionate fans. The other cities teams do not exist for them- their hearts belong to the city teams. My mask is a token of respect to these fans and to all other sports that exist in Philadelphia.
Q: There is a rumor that you and Boborovsky do not speak to each other.
A: BS! We share dinner every night when we are away. We communicate perfectly.
Q: What about competition?
A: Bob is not my competitor, he is my partner. We work for the team. We all have one goal that we work for together.
Q: The Russian press had stated years ago, that there is not much love to Russian players in Philadelphia.
A: There is a lot of love. It cannot be any other way if you play with your heart out and work till exhaustion.
