Interview with Ben Scrivens
Interview conducted by Sport-Express writer Igor Erenko, with translation by Peter Adler. Published with permission from Sport-Express.
Dinamo Minsk goalie Ben Scrivens who used to play for Toronto, Los Angeles and Edmonton spoke to SE about his political preferences, he explained how to play against Ovechkin and Stamkos, as well as sharing his views about Canadian clubs’ lack of success in the NHL.
So far as I know, this is your first visit to Russia. What did you expect, what surprised you?
This is a first visit for me, but some of my relations have already been here. My dad, brother and grandfather made it all the way from Vladivostok to Helsinki. Mostly by train.
Not every Russian would dare.
That’s possible, but they liked it. So, I had heard stuff, they told me stories from the train, and they spent more than two weeks there, about people, about lifestyles. Sure, this is not the same as travelling from Canada’s or America’s east coast to their western shores, but their trip is unusual in itself, it’s eye-opening and interesting. So, I knew what to expect, and I have heard a lot from other players, too.
What were they saying?
You know, their opinions were so different that this was why I wanted to see it all with my own eyes. What can I say – no balalaika-playing bears. Then again, I haven’t seen any bears in western Canada, either. (Laughs)
But there had to be some cultural shock? Handshakes, smiles, food?
Certainly, there are things like that. Naturally, the food is different. The road manners are completely different, people don’t drive their cars like they do across the ocean. And, of course, things I considered automatic, such as respecting the gender minorities’ rights, just simply do not exist here. That was a bit of a shock. Still, no matter what, it’s not done to try to impose your own rules in somebody else’s convent. So I do not plan to interfere and start making changes.
So you do not plan to fight for human rights?
The only thing I can do, actually, is speak. But since I can’t speak Russian, that makes communication more complicated.
But you do intend to learn the language?
I do want to. The question is whether there’ll be enough time. The season’s quite short. But if I am able to help someone with something in Belarus even without speaking the language, I will definitely try to help.
You are a political observer, including political developments around the globe. So, you must know views about Alexander Lukashenko (president of Belarus). And now, all of a sudden, you’re joining Dinamo Minsk (Minsk is the capital city of Belarus).
Democracy, in my view, is an optimal political system. But there are issues with real democracy, the one where everyone has a right to vote, even in the West. In any case, I am here as a guest. I have my own personal opinions, and I am ready to share them. But I must respect local environment (sic: meaning society), people who live here. And I found that people here are kind, nice and warm-hearted. That’s what I am going to focus on, not on political systems and things like that.
In my view, real democracy exists only in some people’s imaginations. After all, in the U.S. presidential elections, people are going to select the lesser of two evils. I understand your views about both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are negative, aren’t they?
Neither of them, putting it mildly, is ideal. And Trump is really dangerous. His election would endanger the entire world. I would have wished to hear more about Gary Johnson (Libertarian presidential nominee) or Barry Sanders (Democratic nomination candidate) whom I would have liked to see in Hillary’s place, but I would prefer any of them to Trump.
Imagine you are invited to see Lukashenko. Will you go? Will you pose for photographs with him?
Depends on circumstances. (laughs) What if he doesn’t want to have his picture taken with me? I am not hiding my views, I do not plan to repeal them, but I am not going to start changing anything in the system of Russia or Belarus.
You will remember that Tim Thomas, Boston’s goalie at the time, refused to attend a reception given by the U.S. president.
Sure, I remember that, but Tim has won more, it’s a different level. If memory serves, he’s won a Vezina, a Conn Smythe, and his name is on the Stanley Cup. He had, at least, a moral right to do this. I don’t want to make any enemies here. Just as well as I do not intend to betray myself.
Thomas played in Europe for a long time, and made the NHL, after all, is it not inspiring?
Sure, I would take this scenario, 100 per cent. But who knows what’s going to happen? I just want to help my new team, do everything to help it win.
You have graduated from university, just as Thomas had. Why did you decide to move to the U.S., anyway? This is not too typical for Canadians, is it?
But this is quite simple. I wasn’t drafted in the CHL, and there was no other better option to play after Junior A till at least the age of 20 than the NCAA. I was lucky that Cornell University offered me the possibility to continue at their school. That allowed me to develop and get to professional hockey eventually.
What did studies at one of the most prestigious Ivy League universities give you?
I have really never expected I would be able to study at such a high-calibre institute. My marks at school were not at the top because I paid increased attention to hockey. Sure, I was trying, but I was not among the best students in class. Thanks to hockey because it allowed me to get to Cornell in the first place, where I learnt how to apply yourself, took sufficient care of my studies and managed to obtain a degree from a world-renowned university. The information I learnt there is not as important as the habits of time management, working with people, relationships, the art of building your life so as to be successful. That gave me a lot both in life, and in sports. (Scrivens has a degree in Hotel Administration.)
Does it help in the dressing room?
To a degree. Many are aware that I am not afraid to speak my mind.
That’s what got you the nickname, Professor. But here’s what’s interesting: does it always help? Did you not cause problems for yourself on occasion?
Yes, it would have been better to keep my mouth shut from time to time. It could have shown in my career. Looking back, I think sometimes that I should not have said this or that. Without any concrete stuff. It’s just that I do not accept the baracks atmosphere. The condition: don’t ask questions, just do what you’re told. If we’re doing something as a team, I need to know why. I always give my all, no matter what, but I do need the answers. And that’s something some hockey people don’t like.
Jenny Scrivens who played with the New York Riveters of the National Women’s Professional League
You met your wife Jenny in university. And she plays hockey, too. Two goaltenders sharing a household, that must be just crazy, right?
In my view, it only helped us that we both played hockey. Since, off ice, I do not like talking about the game. I prefer talking about politics or, for example, science, of some social initiatives, about anything but hockey. And she’s of the same view. She signed a contract with the WNHL last year, so, we talked about these matters for a little while, but as soon as everything was fine with her, we dropped hockey again.
You really never gave each other any advice?
Imagine that: no. Hockey can’t be taking 24 hours of your day. We debate books we have read, the news, movies, society.
But you are watching each other’s games?
Jenny decided not to play this year, and last year, I did watch all of her games because, thankfully, they are broadcast on YouTube. Perhaps I did tell her a thing or two in the beginning, but it was bare minimum. Like that she should be ready after intermissions. As soon as she was, she was all right as it was. She doesn’t need me as yet another coach. And she is not giving me any advice, either.
Your wife appeared in the Hockey Wives show, which is quite popular across the ocean. You appeared there, too, accordingly. Did you watch it?
Honestly, I did not. (laughs) I don’t really like reality shows. She decided to take part, it was her decision, and I supported her. But I don’t think she will ever do it again. Too much of it is staged, the directors are trying to force you to talk about things they want to hear. They don’t give you any scripts, but are directing you carefully and keep telling you what, to put it mildly, is their preferred topic for discussion. Quite strange and disagreeable. Since we usually don’t talk about these things. And on camera, to boot. We are used to remaining ourselves, no matter where we are, expressing our own opinions. This is what’s important to us.
You’re one of the few athletes who wrote their own columns for The Players’ Tribune. Usually, the athletes just talk, and it’s the editors who make it into texts that are easy to digest.
I just wanted that such texts were me, so to speak. That they would fully reflect me. I was glad that they allowed me to speak like this, even though, of course, there were corrections and editing, and they gave me a few interesting suggestions, to direct me the correct way. It was tough, it took a lot of time, but it was tough.
What did your colleagues, other goalies, have to say?
I don’t know how many NHL players really read The Players’ Tribune, and besides, my texts were aimed at young goalies, so it was these guys, their parents and their coaches, who would approach me. Some were grateful. Some were surprised that my views were unusual. That goalies should pay more attention to skating than stretching.
Goalie Dominik Hasek with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008.
You paid special attention in your text to Dominik Hasek. He liked to skate in circles and, in general, skated a lot. Have you got any special exercises?
Actually, most of it is not too different from others are doing, but I do have a special set taking care of goalies’ position changes, and I do it every day.
Ever met the Dominator?
No, unfortunately.
But you did meet (Vladislav) Tretiak during the 2014 world championship, right in Minsk. What did you talk about?
It was a brief conversation. (laughs) Such as, “I’m very happy to meet you, it’s a huge honour, can we take a picture together,” and a few more words. He is an amazing goalie, and I admire him. He turned out to be a very nice person, too. That’s the kind of event it was for me.
It seems that Tretiak is more of a legend in Canada than he is in Russia, no matter how strange it sounds. At least that’s what Canadian friends and players say.
That’s not impossible. He was, after all, a part of the great Soviet teams and he revolutionazed his position. Very many Canadian goalie coaches use Tretiak’s game as a basis. His influence on the profession could be more important than any of the Canadians. I know a lot of guys who’ve been trying to emulate him, who are even now trying to use some of his methods. What else can one say?
Did you emulate anybody?
No, I’ve been trying to remain myself since childhood. To play the way I want to. I don’t think it hasn’t worked. It would be quite stupid to try to throw the trap the way Felix Potvin used to. (laughs) We’re all different. What works for one doesn’t necessarily have to work for another.
You have mentioned quite often that goalies are not strange because they have to start breaking their reflexes in childhood, but because they have to, let’s say, wrap their stick precisely 75 times, and not 76 or 74 times. That they have to shake everybody’s hand before the game, or everything else will go to hell.
Honestly, I am trying to rid myself of all superstitions. I do have certain rituals, but if I were to feel that they are growing into superstitions, I’d get rid of them right away. What I’m trying to do is what I think may help my game, not what – what if – could help. (Patrick) Roy used to talk to his goal posts, but he would have been a great goalie even without that.
Some psychologists are of the view that things like that can be helpful. To step on the ice specifically with your left foot first. Simply, in order to be ready mentally, to prepare oneself to a maximum. Some hockey people, moreover, tell me that you have to be crazy in a good way to be able to play in the NHL.
They can help, but they have a reverse side, too, and that’s the problem. If you have all of a sudden done something not the right way, it shows in the worst way. I am always asking myself: “Why do you do this or that?” And I’m looking for common sense. If there is some, excellent, if there’s none – I’d rather stop doing it, so as not to drive myself crazy needlessly. It would be better to think that I have to win the game for the team, instead of thinking of some stupid and strange superstitions.
You signed your first contract with Toronto. What was the role of (goaltending) coach François Allaire, who used to work there at the time?
Some 99.9 per cent. We worked together, and he helped me a lot to get that contract, he discussed me with management, and I used to get chances to show myself. I am very grateful to him.
Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov
What’s interesting is that he is a blocking-style goalie specialist. Big guys, whose play is sufficiently passive, simply covering the goal. Your style is different.
That’s not how it is. What I have in mind is that François works with all kinds of goalies. He has certain demands, you have to always push from the post and cover the goal, but, for example, Semyon Varlamov is not a blocking-style goalie. And he’s been working with Allaire for years in Colorado. So this is your typical stereotype. What I liked most in working with François was that it was enough to do what he wanted, and then you would be free to do all your soul could wish for. You didn’t have to keep blocking all the time.
Would you agree that Varlamov, under him, became much less aggressive?
I think that this is just experience. Perhaps he realized himself that he could play a bit deper.
Why have goalies such as (Jean-Sebastien) Giguere who didn’t move much almost disappeared from the league? He is also an Allaire alumnus. And you can add (Ilya) Bryzgalov to that list, too.
I don’t really agree that he couldn’t move. Yes, Giguere would not keep stretching, but his skating was wonderful, and that would allow him to get into position right away. That’s precisely why he did not need useless movements, he would simply get into that position and sit down in butterfly, and that sufficed. Yes, he used to play deep in the goal, just as Arizona’s Mike Smith does, but it did not show in his effectiveness. And he does have followers. There are those in the league who depend on athleticism and reaction, their game is less structured, they are so-called “athletic goalies,” even though I hate this description, and those whose game is sufficiently structured. Giguere belongs to the latter group, and I would name Jonathan Quick in the former group.
Which of these two different styles do you prefer to watch?
I understand perfectly what the fans love, and I respect their view. Sure, the glove thrown up while the goalie is stretched after a would-be mill movement, that’s always wonderful to watch, but since I, personally, happen to prefer the structrured game, I prefer watching goalies whose game doesn’t dazzle. And yet, they could be more effective than that same Quick. Any save is a combination of reading the play and picking a position. If your skating lets you get into proper position quickly enough, and if you read the play right, it looks as if the shots aren’t that dangerous, either. But that perception is deceiving. And I like watching how goalies create that kind of perception.
I looked for your craziest saves, by the way, well, you’re far behind Quick, but so are most goalies, and found one that really shone: (Vincent) Trocheck, in your game against Florida, shot the puck and it turned away from the goal all by itself. Jedi’s tricks?
Hahaha. I recall that save. See, I took a good position. (laughs) No, unfortunately, I can’t do Jedi’s tricks. The puck simply turned on its edge and flew in the correct direction. Luck. (smiles)
By the way, Steve Stamkos insists he remembers each and every goal he has scored. Got any similar memories?
I don’t believe that. (laughs) Sure, you remember a lot, and the strangest thing is that you basically remember some strange, unusual moments. Humdrum that nobody ever remembers. Normal saves. I can’t say why. And of course, goals that you would have never let in before. Strange, some of them funny. But to remember it all, that’s just unbelievable. He’d score 60 in a season, and he would remember them all when the season’s over? I can’t believe that. (laughs) I’d even bet some money that he wouldn’t be able to describe each and every one of them. Although … what if he’s got such amazing memory?
But you do replay games after they are done in your head, don’t you?
Certainly, but that doesn’t mean that I remember them. I watch video a lot because you can think you’ve done everything right and then you see from the side that some of it wasn’t as it should have been. Generally, video helps me understand what has really happened. You haven’t seen everything, you have reacted wrong. Or you haven’t read a play right, and reading plays is something you have to keep working on to improve.
Was there a player in the NHL you were scared of?
Honestly, no. Or, better still, I can say I was afraid of all of them. Everybody in the NHL knows how to shoot the puck. And to shoot it well. So, it’s worth one’s while to respect all opposition players, it helps your game, too.
Yes, but there are some who shoot the puck better than others. Say, (Alexander) Ovechkin. Did you really not think before games who’s playing and how?
I’d rather note combinations than individual players. Look at that same Washington: you just realize you can’t be too tall because there’s Ovechkin off your right arm and if the pass reaches him, you won’t have enough time to find the right position. If you leave just a crack open, the deed’s done. It’s the same with Stamkos. Many are good at the slot, changing the direction of the shot, so, you try to remember this, too, to get into a proper position. To be able to defend against these greeting cards.
Speaking of players in front of the goal, Michael Garnett has complained about goalie interference. It’s enough to push a goalie’s pad just ever so lightly, and the position’s gone. Do you think something can be done about it?
I don’t think so. The skaters aren’t stupid. And not even hundreds of replays will show anything from time to time. I don’t think there should be rule changes or there should be new rules. The referees have only milliseconds to make their minds up, there’s no need to make their lives even more complicated. Besides, if you ban all these plays, if you ban these active plays, you can get 0-0 scores. Who needs that and why? Sure, there should be punishments for breaking the rules, but to concentrate on this, to stop play because of insignificant contact or to go through endless replays, I don’t think it’s worth it.
Do you watch opposing players’ sticks? The flexibility of their shafts? This impacts seriously on a shot, on the moment the puck leaves the stick.
There are things one recalls subconsciously. But that’s about it. If you were to think all the time, oh, he’s got a soft shaft, this guy shoots right, that one can hide his wrist shot, and that one is a backhand king, you’d go out of your mind. You have a fraction of a second to react, you can’t think about anything. To read plays can help. But, in any case, you have to believe in yourself in the first place, and in your muscle memory.
Even Toronto’s fans now read the Leafs as an acronym: losers even after fifty seasons (50 years, and still losers – author’s note). It’s going to be precisely 50 years next season since they last won the Stanley Cup. Will they ever win?
Well, they will win one day. (smiles) Each team has a chance. With the right personnel, the right players – nothing is impossible. But I don’t know when’s Toronto going to succeed, in a year, or in another 50. But I don’t think that they will never be able to win. (smiles)
But what is, in your view, their long-term problem? Is it not linked to the pressures that in Toronto reaches cosmic degrees?
Sure, you can feel it, but then again, it’s about the same in Montreal, or in Boston or the Rangers and Vancouver, and yet, people play. Bruins won the Cup not so long ago, the Rangers and the Canadiens had it within reach, the Canucks made the finals. There are pluses and minuses in this pressure, but I don’t think this would be a serious obstacle on the path to victory.
Still, Canadian teams haven’t won anything the last 23 years. Perhaps Ottawa can’t speak of huge pressure, and, perhaps, can’t Winnipeg, to a degree, either.
But there are 23 American clubs in the league. From the view of pure statistics, their chances of winning are much better. I can’t see any natural connection here, and I can’t exclude the possibility that next summer’s winner will come from Canada. Yes, no Canadian team made the playoffs this spring, but that, in my view, was just a coincidence. Some are rebuilding, others were simply out of luck.
You played for three Canadian teams and for Los Angeles. What was different between them?
Nothing in particular, the climate, perhaps.
Well, but there are about 200 journalists attending practices in Toronto, while they have other forms of entertainment in Los Angeles.
Sure, it might be easier to play without such pressures. But, to get back to those same Kings, guys want to win so hard, it builds pressure by itself in the room. Besides, you have to understand that, sure, every fan in Toronto wants wins, but I want to win even more than any one of them. It may happen that some of the fans wouldn’t want to hear this, but wins are more important to us than they are to them. We wouldn’t be dressing, even, without this. There has to be something that has brought you to the NHL, and if you don’t have such an internal drive, you’ll never play there. So there’s nothing terrible about outside pressure. It’s all simple: if you don’t play well, those same 200 journalists will write bad stuff about you. When you play well, they will write good stuff about you. You have to be trying to show your best game, not paying any particular attention to what they are writing. You have to be moving ahead, perfecting yourself.
What were your thoughts when you were traded from the Los Angeles Kings, one of the perhaps main contenders to win the Stanley Cup who ended up winning it, to Edmonton that was sitting at the bottom?
I wasn’t playing at all with the Kings, and I did want to get the chance, so I was happy about the trade. They gave me a chance to play, and I was very grateful to both Los Angeles and the Oilers. Unfortunately, not everything worked with the Oilers as I would have wished. We didn’t have a good enough team, it didn’t have sufficient structure, but that’s been getting better. And the last unsuccessful season notwithstanding, I think that Todd McLellan is moving in the right direction. In any case, I was happy to be a part of Edmonton, to be in my home town.
What is, in your view, the reason for the Oilers’ lack of success? A lot of first picks overall, a lot of talent, and still: bottom-feeders.
A lot of first picks overall helps only when they play for the team, and play well. That, obviously, wasn’t happening in Edmonton. That’s a coach’s job to force the team to be responsible. But management must show support, showing the players that they wouldn’t be picking him apart just so. When the players don’t play well, you can hardly change anything.
EDMONTON, Alta. (April 10, 2016) – Taylor Hall speaks to media during the Oilers locker-cleanout day at Rexall Place.
Oscar Klefbom recently spoke quite harshly about Taylor Hall who had been traded to New Jersey, claiming he’d play well only against weaker opposition.
He knows him well, they played together long enough, and I can’t say that Klefbom is wrong.
And what do you think about Nail Yakupov?
I liked Yakupov a lot. A hard worker, always trying to win, he hates losing, he always fights till the end. I think that, having the right coach who would help and teach him, he can be a very good player and enjoy a long career.
He asked for a trade not so long ago. Could it be perhaps better for him to experience a change of scenery?
You can ask for whatever you want but that’s not how it works in the NHL, that the demand would be met. He’s now part of Edmonton, and I am sure that he will continue doing everything he can. We’ll see how it will work.
What was wrong in Montreal last season? They opened the season wonderfully. What caused such terrible failure? There were rumours that (Michel) Therrien has lost the room.
They were going down to the bottom when I got there. So I can hardly judge it. And I don’t think I could be the answer to their problems. And I wasn’t playing that much at the time, either. You know, I think the guys were trying, they were working but, what could have happened was they were trying too hard. That’s wrong, too. And, of course, the biggest problem was that Montreal’s best player was injured almost a year. It’s tough to be winning without your leader.
Do the Canadiens really depend that much on (Carey) Price?
In my opinion, yes, they do. Besides, no matter which team Carey Price would play for, they would depend on him, that’s how good he is. He adds so much certainty to his teammates that they even play differently, that’s his strength. It’s not always useful, some plays can get too risky, but still, Montreal has been very lucky to have him.
What did you think when Montreal traded (P.K.) Subban?
To be honest, I’m not following hockey off ice. Much less than the fans do. I know him, and I understand well how difficult it is, but that’s hockey.
Have you figured out the KHL style of hockey yet?
Obviously, they play differently here, the style is a bit different, there’s more passing. I’ll have to rebuild my game, but that’s what’s interesting.
And what about the East-West style, do you like it?
I haven’t even thought about it. I can’t be controlling what the skaters do, and I don’t need it, either. I’m focusing on my own game.
I noticed in pre-season games you practically never go into corners. Is it the infamous trapezoid that keeps you from doing it?
It’s rather that I was a bit afraid to go there, the ice is wider, the boards are further away. (laughs) But that’s not awful, I’ll get used to it and will be skating there regularly. Besides, you have to play the puck only when it helps the team. Not to just to touch it. If it’s calculated risk, I’m always ready.
Basically, is skating even more important for goalies in the KHL?
It’s important everywhere. Doesn’t matter which league, which level and what size of ice you’re playing.
You’ve played in two games of historical note. The first one involved a bagel with a record number of shots against in a game against San Jose (3-0 for Edmonton, 59 saves). How many kilograms did you lose that night?
I really don’t know. I don’t check my weight. Neither before games, nor after games. It was a good game, but, honestly, nothing special in particular. I didn’t even know I have set a record. I just tried to give my team a chance to win. Tough, really, but we went on the road right afterwards, so I didn’t even have much time to think about it.
Goalies usually lose five to six kilograms when they face such loads. Did you do anything special, perhaps drank more water, or energy drinks or ate energy sticks?
No, I didn’t do anything unusual. I’ll tell you even more: I didn’t get too tired then, either. May be a bit more than usual, but nothing more. To tell you the truth, I don’t’t attach too much significance to this achievement. Definitely less than any fan. Stopping pucks, that’s my job, and that’s what I was doing. It would have been better if we made the playoffs then. That’s what would have been real joy, and we would have been able to debate it more.
It seems you like facing a lot of shots, right?
Well, really, I don’t care. In any case, I can’t influence what’s going on in front of me. That’s why concrete numbers don’t concern me.
The other historical game saw a Russian referee’s debut in the NHL. Yevgeni Romasko served in an Edmonton game against Detroit, not the most successful game for you. Do you remember it?
I remember finding out the next day only. And I was surprised. It must have been a great experience for him. I think that’s great and good. We need overseas players, referees and general managers, there is one in Columbus, and coaches. Canada and America don’t have any monopol on creating good players or tactics. We need people and ideas. It’s our job to accept everything that’s the best.
While in Edmonton, you used to wear a goalie mask that was the most unusual such mask in the NHL. Painted by people who suffered from schizophrenia. Where did this idea come from?
I am of the view that when you can, it is your duty to help others. Whether it’s cancer or amyotrophic schizophrenia. In any way you can.
Money from the Ice Bucket Challenge helped fund the discovery of a gene that will help treat amyotrophic sclerosis.
Precisely. And that’s exactly what I am trying to do: attract attention to all kinds of issues. I had the chance to do a lot of it in Edmonton. Arrange events for mentally challenged people, and for people with psychological issues. We collected money for charities, helping them, and bringing attention to the issues. That’s very important, too.
Do you plan to do something like that in Belarus, too?
I wouldn’t object. But there’s a problem: I can’t speak Russian at all. I could talk to journalists in Canada, to people who were involved, and I can’t do it here. But otherwise, I plan to be involved in things like that as long as I shall live.
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