I understand that the timing of this thread might be somewhat inflammatory, but I like to translate articles as they come out. This was published 1/1/2012
In the light of latest events surrounding Bryz Sports.ru published excerpts from Bryzgalov’s interviews over the years and named them
Ilya Bryzgalov’s Rules of Life
-To be honest I am indifferent to fans. I can explain the reason. When you are OK, when you are playing well they worship you; when you are going through rough times- you become an enemy #1. Once I was sidelined for almost a year due to injury. I had seen and understood a lot during that time.
-I am not nervous on the ice and I do not feel pressure. I just relax and play. Hockey is an entertainment that I need to enjoy.
-There are people who understand me, and there are that don’t. It’s their own choice; I have never tried to be liked.
-I can’t say that I am a philosopher. I read these books because I like them. I like their thoughts, really. I like to now how they thought, how they came up to their conclusions. Do not get me wrong, I do not spend hours and hours studying their books. But sometimes, in the certain moments I think about their theories. But again, just sometimes.
-I like Socrates, because he stated that nothing is explicit.
-I’ve taught myself not to be deluded when I am praised; and not to get upset when I am reproached. As I said before- nothing is explicit.
- I am not really interested in talking to hockey players, I, practically, do not have any friends among them. Only Pavel Datsyuk. I like to communicate with him, but my close friends are only the guys that I grew up with.
-I do not have that many friends, but I maintain good relationships with all.
-You know what I dislike the most? Stupidity and injustice. I have that quality in me to rebel against these.
-I am old fashioned. I hate reading from a computer screen, I need to hols a book in my hands.
-God and church are 2 different things for me. God is in everything, but church is the mean to manipulate people. Church is not necessarily false, but God for me is in people and animals. Church- is just a person that has read books. I have talked to clergy- I did not here convincing answers to my questions.
-I would like to learn to drive a space ship. I dream of going into space.
-I do not bribe traffic cops (
common practice in Russia, CSKA). I will pay official fine, but not a bribe.
-I use cab services in Russia. I have 2 BMW in the USA. I value comfort and safety in cars.
-Even if I had time I would not watch any TV in Russia. I do not watch it in the USA either.
-Not everything is measured by money. If you have a chance to play in the NHL you must use it, otherwise you are a coward. I will never say that a player has had a good career if he has not tried himself in the strongest league in the world.
-I had to go through all the levels of hockey hell in order to enjoy everyday in the real hockey.
-I am afraid of heights. I will never go on a roller coaster, but I am not afraid of flying.
-I lost all the interest in alcohol. I do not need it. Nobody will persuade you to drink in the USA if you do not want- it’s not like Russia (
another common practice, CSKA)
-The sense of life? Love. Not just to a concrete person, one must love everything that surrounds us. Only then one can achieve harmony.
-A lot of people talk about superstitions, but it’s all senseless. There are so many games. One has to work hard and not be preoccupied with all this nonsense.
-My motto on ice? Just read my glove- “Be a fighter!” Helps when I am tired. Sometimes it feels like I am unable to go anymore, then I look at my glove and fight till the end.
-I try not to resent anyone, maintain good relationship, and be positive.
-Happiness is a very complex thing. Everyone has his own definition. It’s not the same for everyone. For instance, three years ago one dreamt about NHL contract, good career, and a lot of money. But the baby is born in the family- that baby becomes one’s happiness. You want to be with your children, you want to see them healthy and joyful. The meaning of happiness changes daily.
-Blonds or brunets? Does not really matter, the soul has to be clear and beautiful.
-Philosophy teaches: if you know- speak! That does not work in sports.
-I dislike attention. As one of my favorites characters said: “I like to sit low- it’s safer if you fall”.
-I think that the game makes a hockey player. You will be valued by real professionals if your game support who you are.
- like Russian classics. Books, history.
-We all must think what we are going to do if we destroy the Earth. There is nowhere to go. We must take care of it, not of our wallets or stomachs.
-About my personal life- the less people know the better.
-I do not let my children talk back to adult. I can reprimand them, but I have never physically punished them.
-I would not want to experience loneliness, without my family. How will I live? What for?
-Most terrible thing? To survive your children and grandchildren.
-I have a dog- white Siberian husky. She and I easily find common language. She is very kind and loveable. Better than a lot of people.
-I cook really well. Everyone who has tried it has liked it.
-I do not want to disfigure my body with tattoos. You can ask older people about their tattoos and they will tell you: “It was foolish…” Older people know what they are talking about.
-I am very responsible at my job. Just teach me what I do not know something.
-I strongly dislike dirt- moral or physical.
-My favorite saying is “Erare human est”. That means to err is human.
