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I read that article on Yakupov that Adam was talking about, and there's one part that I thought was interesting:
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NY: This is what happened. I was asked about the ‘Russian Factor’. I said it had nothing to do with me because everyone has his own path. Generalization is wrong. Don’t tell me that I’m going to get drunk all the time or smoke or anything. Because it’s not going to happen. And then I said that if you really look into this I’m not a Russian but a Tatar. [AO: In Russian language there are two words for ‘Russian’. One meaning ethnicity, the other – nationality. However, in English ‘Russian’ means both, which understandably created confusion] I didn’t mean to say anything what now people think I did. I love Russia, I played for Team Russia and hopefully I will play for Team Russia again. But I said this word and people zeroed in on it.
[Canadians] just don’t know who Tatars are. I’m telling them: ‘I’m Tatar’. And they go: ‘What’s a Tatar?’ I had to explain it. That’s when I mentioned the Muslim thing. Now everybody in Russia thinks I’m public enemy #1. I didn’t mean to offend anybody. It’s not my fault I was born a Tatar and a Muslim, right? What do I do now – hang myself? Tatarstan is part of Russia. I played for Team Russia and I have a Russian passport. When they asked me about the ‘Russian Factor’ I tried to make a joke out of it. However, I was clear about what I meant, wasn’t I? I meant – generalization is wrong. Everybody has his own path.
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Sorry for quoting so much. Anyway, my point is that we really don't have to worry about Yakupov ditching us for the KHL. Sounds like he referred to himself as a Russian in the more formal term and now the whole country hates him for it. It almost reminds me of when Brett Hull decided to play for the US team - all of a sudden, he's public enemy number one.
The other thing that stands out about Yakupov to me is that he could turn out to be a great influence on the team. I've read quite a few interviews with him, and he's always talking about how he avoids all the distractions in life that can have a bad impact on your career (drinking, etc). If a player is deciding to not go out and party during the playoffs, who happens to be the team's leading goal scorer, some guys might look at that and figure "Hey maybe I'll stay focused too and wait until this is all over before I go drinking."
Oh and in his interview with The Hockey News, he says his name is pronounced Nah-eeel, not Nay-ull.
"You've got to smile every day because life you just live once. You've got to push everything you can every day and be nice with the people and keep your family in your heart." - Nail Yakupov
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Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
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Re: Yakupov going to Edmonton |
By: hmc on Thu, 31 May 2012 15:20 |
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Re: Yakupov going to Edmonton |
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I hope you like Yakupov |
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Re: I hope you like Yakupov |
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Tambo didn't get the memo |
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Re: Tambo didn't get the memo |
By: Mike on Fri, 01 June 2012 10:05 |
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Re: Tambo didn't get the memo |
By: hmc on Fri, 01 June 2012 10:07 |
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Re: I hope you like Yakupov |
By: TJ39 on Thu, 31 May 2012 20:36 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: Skoobz on Mon, 04 June 2012 09:03 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: Boniman on Mon, 04 June 2012 11:16 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: Mullet on Fri, 01 June 2012 07:57 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: Adam on Fri, 01 June 2012 08:59 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: Adam on Mon, 04 June 2012 11:59 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: Kr55 on Mon, 04 June 2012 13:34 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: G-Star on Tue, 05 June 2012 12:59 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: v4ance on Tue, 05 June 2012 20:59 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: Mike on Wed, 06 June 2012 08:44 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: Adam on Wed, 06 June 2012 09:57 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: Mike on Wed, 06 June 2012 10:30 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: Adam on Wed, 06 June 2012 10:55 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: dkb19 on Wed, 13 June 2012 01:54 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: BTR17 on Wed, 13 June 2012 00:41 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: eedok on Wed, 13 June 2012 13:02 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: Adam on Tue, 12 June 2012 10:00 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: rukm01 on Wed, 13 June 2012 09:51 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: Mike on Wed, 13 June 2012 11:12 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: TJ39 on Thu, 14 June 2012 04:43 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: Adam on Thu, 14 June 2012 10:20 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: Kr55 on Tue, 15 November 2022 20:28 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: Mike on Wed, 16 November 2022 11:06 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: Mike on Wed, 16 November 2022 11:42 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: smyth260 on Wed, 16 November 2022 12:00 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: Kr55 on Wed, 16 November 2022 12:15 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: Adam on Thu, 17 November 2022 01:39 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: Goose on Wed, 16 November 2022 12:29 |
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Re: Yakupov coming to Edmonton |
By: Adam on Thu, 17 November 2022 01:40 |
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