Russian hockey star Danis Zaripov will be joining us for practice along with his son Artur and friends Badikhan and Georgi.
Artur, Badikhan and Georgi are getting the full experience, following the regular school schedule which includes daily on-ice and off-ice training as well as spending the night in the dorms. It’s been a seamless transition for them as our students have made them feel welcome both on and off the ice.Danis, meanwhile, has been attending practices and adding another layer of experience for our boys to learn from.Danis played one season of Junior hockey for the Swift Current Blades of the Western Hockey League before beginning his professional career in Russia in 1999 and just completed his 20th professional season. He has compiled an incredible 749 points in 973 games in Russia’s top league, which is also considered the best league outside of the NHL During his professional career, he has won the Gagarin Cup (KHL Championship) 5 times, a feat whicn no other player in the world has done..Danis has also competed numerous times for the Russian National Team including the 2010 Olympics and several World Hockey Championships.On Wednesday, Coaches Alain Raymond and Francis Wathier along with Danis were on the ice for practice and totaled 49 years of professional hockey experience between them. The boys were surely soaking up every second and hanging on every word from the current and former pro hockey players.