Pavel Datsyuk Gets the Recognition He Deserves
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
Since Pavel Datsyuk broke into the National Hockey League in 2002 with the Detroit Red Wings, he has quietly been a super star. Until now. This past weekend in Ottawa at the 2012 NHL All-Star game his fellow colleagues talked about just how great “Magic Man” Pavel Datsyuk is. Zdeno Chara, captain of the Boston Bruins and captain of Team Chara won the puck toss at the Fantasy Draft portion of the weekend and had first choice of 32 super stars. Before he made his first choice, he said, “I love the way he plays the game… Pavel Datsyuk.”
Watch Pavel Datsyuk get selected 1st overall in 2012 NHL All-Star Draft
Chara goes on further as to why he picked Pavel. Saying he plays the game the right away, does magic on the ice and is a very humble and down to earth man. Way to go Pavel. Daniel Alfredsson, captain of the Ottawa Senators and captain of Team Alfredsson had second pick in the draft. Before he made his selection he even commented on Pavel Datsyuk. “Pavel Datsyuk is a great player and deserves to go number 1 overall.” Sounds like if he didn’t go first overall, he would have gone second.
What was most impressive with Chara taking Pavs first overall was the fact that, not only did the drafting captain have Bruins teammates waiting to get selected in Timmy Thomas and Tyler Seguin, but he had some fellow Slovakian countrymen waiting to get picked as well in Marian Hossa and Marion Gaborick. Last year in the 2011 NHL Fantasy All-Star draft, Eric Staal with his first pick took goalie teammate Cam Ward so it was assumed Timmy Thomas was going to go first.
Some other players attending the weekend events were also happy to be around the Russian Magician. Here are some tweets from other NHL all-stars:
@HLundqvist30: There is smooth and then there is Pavel Datsyk..
@JLupul: I just got Datsuyk to show how to do his sick breakaway move. His response, “like this, it’s so easy.” Ya maybe for you bro… #juicymitts
From watching Datsyuk you can tell he has a lot of fun playing the game he loves. What you may not know is he is quite the character off the ice too. His Red Wings teammates will tell you he has a tremendous sense of humor. Although in Russian, you can tell he is having fun with fellow Russian and teammate for a day Evgeni Malkin. Watch the two comedians here
I think it’s safe to say, the secret is out on Pavel Datsyuk. It’s great to hear he is getting the attention and respect he deserves. As a huge Detroit Red Wings fan myself, I’ve been lucky to see a lot of the “Dangle Dangle” skills of Pavel Datsyuk. He is amazing to watch on TV but even more exciting to see him live. I can’t tell you how many times he gets people out of their seats at the Joe when he has the puck on a string. He does moves in a game that most hockey players wouldn’t dare to try in practice or in a beer league pick up game. He is truly one of the greatest and will even make pros look like complete amateurs if they try to check him.