A year ago, Ranger fans had visions of Jaromir Jagr and Alexei Cherepanov teaming up on Broadway this season, with the future Hall of Famer teaching his successor the ropes. After seeing Jagr take Brandon Dubinsky under his wing last season, staying late with him in practice to show him a trick or two, the thought of having Jagr mentor the offensively explosive Cherepanov was something worth looking forward to. But alas, it was not to be. Neither Jagr nor Cherepanov are Rangers this season, as we had hoped -- the two are now teammates in Russian instead.
"You can’t even imagine what emotions are now overflowing in me," Cherepanov told Sport Express about playing with Jagr, the player he always listed as his hero. "A dream is a dream, but at the same time even I could not imagine that we would play together for Omsk! I think that such a thing [as playing on a line together] is possible! Anyway, now I dream of scoring off a pass from Jagr."
Nevertheless, Ranger fans can retain hope that at least Jagr is helping prepare the Rangers' 2007 first round draftee for the NHL. "Sometimes I ask him about the NHL," Cherepanov said. "Jaromir knows that I have been invited there, and once said, 'You want to play in the NHL, train more.' After these words I began to work even harder. By the way, after each practice Jaromir works extra with me, shows me all kinds of techniques, teaches me how to shoot, tells me how and on what I still need to work. In a way he is one of my coaches."
Jagr leaving New York to play in Omsk became a second reason for Cherepanov to want to stay in Russia this season. "My contract with Avangard still runs for one year, so I did not think at all about a departure," he said. "And then when I learned that my idol would play in Omsk, I generally forgot about the NHL for awhile. The arrival of Jagr should give to us -- the young guys -- more confidence. We will watch Jagr and learn." For his part, Jagr likes what he sees of his ersatz protegee. "There are many promising kids [here]," he told Sport Express. "For example, Cherepanov. Today he played simply superbly! In any case, I admire his game. It's obvious that Alexei is an extremely skilled guy. In practices he tries very hard, and I think his efforts will bring results." Thanks to Laurie Carr for the translation from Russian -- see her blog Beyond the Blueshirts for the complete transcript of Cherepanov's interview.
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