❚ Five questions with newly acquired center Alex Galchenyuk.
The well-traveled Alex Galchenyuk sat down with the Republic to talk about his hockey background and adjustment to life in Arizona.
Question: I’m curious as to what differences you’ve already found between Montreal and Arizona. First of all, you speak three languages — English, Russian and Italian — but was learning French harder than adjusting to the summer heat out here?
Answer: With the French speaking, I only picked up a few words. It just felt so different, like if you were in Europe or something. But you don’t see cactuses all over the place in Montreal. That’s something I’ve enjoyed while driving to the rink. It’s unique, with the landscape and the palm trees. Here, it’s more relaxed. You have your work time, but when practice is over you can just chill out, and it was just different because I was drafted into Montreal and I didn’t know anything else. People we traded for would say, “Everywhere else is totally different,” and I’d be like, “Well, I don’t know anywhere else.” In Montreal, you can’t always sit normally with your friends or family out to eat. People will come up to you and ask for autographs, which is fun but here it’s been totally different. When you’re here in the rink, the fans know who you are. They love watching you play, but outside of the rink you’re a normal human being. That’s been great.
Q: I know you were born in the U.S. and have now spent a significant part of your life in North America, but a lot of your childhood was spent in Europe and in Russia. Growing up, were there players or teams you idolized and wanted to model your game after?
A: You know, I had kind of an interesting childhood. I was born in Milwaukee because my dad played for the Admirals, but we moved. I lived there until I was 2 or 3, but then we moved to Germany, Italy, Switzerland and all those places. It’s hard to watch the NHL over there, but I remember I had an NHL poster and one day -- I was 5 or 6 -- my dad was next to me and I said I was going to tape my stick black like the player in the poster. He looked at me and said, “Don’t ever try to be like anyone else; just be yourself.” Since that moment, I never really followed anyone’s game. Of course, I was still a big fan of the game. I love watching Patrick Kane and seeing what he can do with the puck. You always try to be creative like the Malkin and Crosby, and Ovechkin is fun to watch. It’s weird to be in the same league as those guys.
Q: OK, kind of an off-topic question. What is your favorite food spot in Montreal, and why?
A: Definitely Park’s Restaurant. Antonio Park is the owner and he owns a couple places (in Canada) and I’m good friends with him. That’s one of the best Asian spots for sure, and he’s opened a few more places as well. He’s still a good friend of mine and the filet mignon nigiri is my go-to dish. I’m not a big fish guy, but I do love the torched salmon with maple syrup on top. For me, it’s either the filet mignon nigiri or that salmon with a house salad and a soup as well. That would be it for me. He’s always consistent with the order and it’s always great.
Q: What’s your favorite city to hit on the road?
A: My family has U.S. passports now but they used to have green cards, which meant they had to visit at least once a year. We would always go to Florida, but before that we would make a stop because, coming from Russia, it’s always easier to fly from New York to Florida than from Russia to Florida. So we would stop in New York and I remember being a kid and walking around Madison Square Garden. I always enjoy playing there. Also the anthem in Chicago, that’s something special, too. In Arizona, when they turn out the lights and the thing with the moon comes down, it’s actually pretty cool. There’s so many great places. Actually, last time we came here it was freezing. Okay, not actually freezing, but like sweater weather, right? Vancouver is good, but it’s not as sunny. Every time we go there, it’s always raining and kind of depressing. But there’s so many great ones.
Q: All right, let’s finish with a hockey question. Being two years removed from a 30-goal season, do you feel like you can regain that form?
A: I had that one switch where I wanted to take my game to the next level. I wanted to be better than average. I didn’t want to be just an average NHL player; I wanted to be a difference maker. I had a great opportunity to center the first line and I had a lot of linemates who created good chances and I capitalized on those chances. I had a great start the year after but unfortunately I got injured. At this time, I know I scored 30, but I also know it was 2 years ago. I’m kind of tired of talking about it because I want to be consistent and I want to get back to scoring 30-plus per season. I know I have a great opportunity with the personnel here and a lot of guys making plays, but I’m not taking the pressure off my shoulders because scoring goals is the hardest thing to do in this league. I take a lot of pride in that.