Team Russia’s Busarov opens up about Canada, says Sweden will be ‘tougher’ to play

Team Russia captain Georgy Busarov had a trip to remember when he visited Canada for the first time during the Subway Super Series. Some people even joked it would be his final destination after playing the Canadians.

“My coach told me I wouldn’t come back,” says Busarov with a laugh. “Everybody told me the same thing – keep your head up. Everybody knows the way Canadians play, there’s not much new to tell. Everybody sees the way they play every game at the world juniors, the world championship, and in the NHL. It’s all there for you on display. Besides, [our coach] Mikhail Varnakov always tells us everything we need to know about tactics.”

Busarov was invited to Russia’s pre-world junior camp and is expected to make the final roster. He didn’t miss a single tournament with the team this year and has a pretty good idea of what to expect at the 2014 world juniors in Malmo, Sweden.

“We didn’t play all the teams,” said Busarov. “We didn’t play Team USA. As for the teams we did play, I was the most impressed with Sweden. I think they’re better than the Canadians. They’re more skilled. It’s no secret that Swedes are great skaters, they have great hands and hockey mind. They have quick and skilled forwards. … I really like the Swedes.

“As for Team Canada – it’s more of a dump-and-chase kind of team that tends to shoot a lot. I mean, they do have skilled guys like Jonathan Drouin, who was selected third overall," he added. "I think half of Team OHL was selected in the first round. They’re all skilled. Although, I still think Sweden is a tougher team to play than Canada.”

He admits his first time on smaller ice was a little scary. And trying to look confident and lead by example as a captain certainly didn’t help.

“Yeah, I was a little shook up,” said the 5-foot-11, 176-pound Busarov. “It’s just a different ice size, different zone markings, you know… It was the first time for me. We didn’t adjust well in the first two games. I mean, I think we played well but we didn’t adjust from European hockey to North American hockey. We played the way we play on a bigger ice. We tried too many pretty plays and solo efforts.

“Then we adjusted and that got us benefits. It’s sad we lost the first two games of the series. Although, I still think that we didn’t lose the series. We won three games and they won three games. If Canada wants it that bad, they can have the cup.”

Busarov didn’t register any points in the series but he really impressed with his ability to block shots. In fact, he led Team Russia in that category. You’d think he might pride himself on that but he doesn’t.

“I don’t think it’s my biggest asset,” he said. “As a matter of fact, I only found out that I’m good at blocking shots when I got on Team Russia. I don’t block shots so people would pat me on my back. Did you see our games against Team OHL? They took like 60 shots on our net every night. Our goalie had trouble lifting his arms after the game.

“That’s why all the guys tried to block as many shots as possible. So (the goalie) would have to face a couple fewer shots. I mean, the guy was going crazy like a squirrel in a cage. But then again I don’t think that blocking shots and being responsible on defence are my greatest assets. I mean when I’m not on Team Russia I don’t even kill penalties. I think my biggest assets are work ethic, hard work and will,” added Busarov, who plays for Dizel Penza of the VHL.

Busarov said he’s still haunted by his mistake in Game 5 of the Super Series when his turnover lead to a shorthanded goal by Portland Winterhawks’ captain Taylor Leier.

“I have nightmares about that. Honestly, I just wanted to get out of there I was so embarrassed. It was such a child’s mistake,” said Busarov shaking his head. “I lost the puck on the blue line on a power play. I don’t know what to tell you. I was really embarrassed. I wanted to make up for it somehow. I blocked shots, worked hard on defence, did my best. Everyone makes mistakes, true, but some mistakes are just unforgivable.”

Coach Mikhail Varnakov has benched people for less, so what did he say to his captain?

“He understood by the expression on my face that I realized what I’d done. For sure, he gave me a little piece of his mind, but nothing too harsh. And why would he? What am I? A 15-year-old? You think I don’t understand what I’ve done? You think I don’t understand what’s at stake? You think I don’t understand what I can and can’t do? You shouldn’t make mistakes, period. Especially the ones like that,” said Busarov.

A historic Canada-Russia rivalry may appear lukewarm to some, but it is still very much alive for Busarov.

“I remember reading an interview before the series. I can’t recall who said it but he said that Canada needs the series to prove to themselves they can always beat Russia,” said Busarov. “They were looking to re-establish their confidence, you see? I think after the series they lost whatever was left of that confidence.”

“As for the tourney itself, I have only good things to say. I really liked it. Hockey over there (in Canada) is more interesting. There are more shots, it’s more physical. You can’t just stand behind the net waiting for the rush to begin,” said Busarov. “You have to be really quick about everything. You go for a change faster than you skate up or down on defence. In Russia you can just take a stride and slowly move towards the bench. Try doing that in Canada – you’ll get a counter attack and you’ll get scored on. Hockey over there is more tiresome, too, because of that.”

A journey of a lifetime is a bit cliché but that’s exactly what it was for Russia’s captain.

“I came back as a different person after the series,” said Busarov. “Canada opened a whole new hockey world for me. After that trip to Canada I understood why every player dreams of playing in the NHL. I understood that when I hit the ice in the first game. I was overwhelmed. You’re skating around and everyone’s really into the game, everyone is so loud. In Russia people are quiet as if they’re in theatre. They’d chant a few times and that would be it. Canada is a real hockey country.

“Over there you can watch hockey on TV 24/7. They have a bunch of hockey channels. At times I thought all of the channels broadcasted hockey. No matter who you talk to – everyone likes and follows hockey. That really impressed me. I’d like to have something like that in Russia. I think Canada is way ahead of us in that matter.”