Americans chase hockey dreams overseas
Ice time, rink size among reasons pros opt to play abroad
When defenseman Deron Quint, a veteran of nine-plus NHL seasons, was approached in 2009 to play for a Russian team in the Kontinental Hockey League, his first thought was it was the last place he wanted to be.
“I had heard horror stories about what players couldn’t do,” Quint told USA TODAY Sports via phone from Russia. “I heard it was like being in the army. I said, ‘I don’t think that is really for me.’ And then I talked to guys who had been over there, and they said, ‘Hey, it’s great hockey, and the rest is just people talking.’ ”
Quint, 40, has spent seven seasons in the KHL. And he hasn’t ruled out an eighth.
Quint has played 357 games in the KHL. When you add time spent in the Swiss, Italian and German leagues, the New Hampshire native has played more pro games in Europe than in the NHL.
His story isn’t unique. According to USA Hockey, 200 to 225 Americans are being paid to play in pro leagues outside North America; 209 Americans have played in at least one NHL game this season.
Minnesota native Brandon Bochenski is the third-leading scorer in the KHL. He last played in the NHL in 2009-10 with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Native Californian Ryan Lasch, who played college hockey at St. Cloud State, is leading the Swedish Hockey League in scoring, and two other Americans, Garrett Roe and Matt Anderson, rank in the top 10.
Europe isn’t the only option: 2007 Chicago Blackhawks draft pick Josh Unice, who was a member of the U.S. National Team De- velopment Program, was a player-coach in Australia last season.
American players sometimes decide to go abroad when their NHL career is on the downside or when they can’t land a permanent job in the NHL.
“Most guys know when Europe is their best option,” player agent Matt Keator said. “You present them with the option: Do you want to be a veteran in the American (Hockey) League with the potential for a call-up to the NHL or go to Europe and have fun playing? At some point, it becomes about ice time.”
The European leagues lure players with skill, because European rinks — 15 feet wider than NHL ones — provide more open ice.
“I just love the pace of play and the talent over here,” Quint said. “The big ice allows you to get more skill involved in the game. The game is less physical. The bigger ice and more skilled game is more my style. I’ve enjoyed playing over here.”
The KHL pays wages that can be competitive with those in the NHL, although the ruble’s slide in value has caused issues for players.
Arizona native Auston Matthews, 18, was paid an estimated $400,000 this season to play in Zurich. The other European leagues are said to pay less than the Swiss league.
“Coming over here has opened my eyes to a whole new world,” Quint said.
Russia presents unusual challenges.
“My coaches have not spoken English, so I’ve had to learn Russian,” Quint said. “But it’s been a lot of fun.”
The cultural differences show up in the way the Russians manage their teams.
Training camps start in July and last several weeks before the regular season starts in September.
“It’s like being back in the 1970s with three practices a day during the summer,” Quint said.
Plane trips can be seven hours long, and temperatures can get quite cold.
“It’s like minus 30 here in the winter,” the defenseman said. “You just stay inside as much as possible.”
Even when a team is knocked out of the KHL playoffs, the players participate in exhibition games in small towns to promote the team.
Anderson played for two seasons in the KHL. He switched to the Swedish Elite League this season because he thought Sweden would offer a more comfortable lifestyle. Many Swedes speak English.
“Culturally, Swedish people are pretty easygoing and open-minded,” said Anderson, 33. “But I really did enjoy my time in Russia, and it was a great learning experience there. Once you understand their culture and how they were raised, you come to terms with how they treat one another and take care of themselves.”
Rob Schremp, 29, is in the AHL this season, but he played the last four seasons in Russia, Austria, Switzerland and Sweden. Schremp says playing in Europe is easier on the body because the schedule is lighter. European leagues shut down three times to allow national team players to participate in tournaments.
“Those breaks rejuvenate you,” Schremp said.
Schremp says European contracts include housing and a car. But he also enjoyed how festive the fans were.
“It’s almost like a soccer atmosphere,” Schremp said. “Fans show up to chant the whole game. That’s the European way. In some rinks, there are some sections where fans don’t sit down the entire game.
“It’s a total different production than we have here.”