If a man is not liberal when he is young, he has no heart. If a person is not an old conservative, he has no brain.
Many Russians quoted a well-known saying at the beginning of the NHL season, when the star forward of the New York Rangers by Artemi Panarin the interview was published.
Panarin, 32, told the reporter Yaroslav Babushkin hosting Respirator Babushkina – program about his career and life. In the same interview, he also quickly backtracked on the opinions he expressed five years ago.
In the summer of 2019, Panarin spoke to the sports website Sports.ru in a video interview About old people begging in Russian metro stations, teachers living on miserable salaries and non-existent freedom of speech. The attacker also implied that the president Vladimir Putin it would be time to step aside.
– I think he (Putin) no longer understands what is good and what is bad, Panarin said at the time To Aleksandr Golovin.
A huge uproar arose from Harvinaine’s direct comments. After that, a few years of quiet life followed, until just over a week ago, Panarin made a complete change of direction.
Now Panarin called his interview from five years ago irresponsible and his words nonsense. He emphasized that the main job of hockey players is to play hockey and that he does not have a sufficient understanding of the structures of society.
– Let’s imagine that 12- to 14-year-old boys who consider me a successful hockey player start to believe, for example, my words about the legal system. It’s just stupid, Panarin said.
The new comments are amazing. Why did the star hockey player want to turn his sled so radically, when even a silent film would have been possible in an internationally volatile time?
Russian journalists are known not to discuss political issues with athletes unless they have been specifically agreed upon. If he wanted, Panarin could have talked only about his playing career and completely ignored the events of 2019.
Big life change
The life of an NHL forward has changed a lot in five years. He has become the father of two children, and his previous curiosity about news and social events has changed to a Nokia clamshell phone and a technology fast.
As late as January 2021, Panarin claimed the jailed opposition leader on his Instagram account To Alexei Navalny release. Since then, the player has deleted all of his Instagram posts except for one childhood photo and has practically completely withdrawn from social media.
Panarin has also learned that criticizing the Putin regime comes at a price. In February 2021, an enthusiastic supporter of the president, a long-time KHL coach Andrei Nazarov made harsh accusations about Panarini.
According to Nazarov, Panarin assaulted the young woman at the end of a wet night out in 2011. At that time, the attacker played under Nazarov in the Vitjaz KHL team. Panarin denied the accusations, and Nazarov had no credible evidence to present, but after the incident, the player has kept his social views to himself.
A passionate patriot
The turmoil that followed the critical statements may have put Panarin on his toes, but in a recent interview he was not content to just be cautious.
The player stressed to Jaroslav Babushkin how much homesickness has grown during the NHL years. When the conversation sidestepped Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, Panarin said he was angry with people who said they were ashamed of their Russianness because of the war.
– That kind of thing really took a toll on me. How can you say that?
The son of a single parent, who grew up in the small town of Korkino near Chelyabinsk, has always been a great friend of his country. Thanks to his grandfather, Panarin, who got involved in hockey, has engaged in active charity work and has generously supported, among other things, the residents of his home region.
Unlike many of his Russian colleagues, Panarin has not learned English properly during his nearly ten years in the NHL. In interviews with the North American media, he usually uses an interpreter and constantly jokes that “I don’t speak English”.
The colorful player’s patriotism has only changed its shape over the years. Before, Panarin questioned the actions of those in power and the status of ordinary citizens. Today, he emphasizes that it is good to be in Mother Russia.
Indications of the change were already visible. In July, Panarin took part in an exhibition match in Moscow between the Russian NHL stars and the KHL’s all-star team, in which a member of Vladimir Putin’s inner circle was actively involved, among others Roman Rotenberg.
Panarin played in the charity event for his father-in-law, the former head coach of the Russian national ice hockey team Oleg Znarokin under. The founder of Putin Team was chilling at the game Alexander Ovechkin.
History repeating itself?
Despite the change of heart, Panarin’s views for 2019 had a lot of substance.
A Russian acquaintance of mine estimated at the time that Panarin voiced the thoughts of many ordinary Russians. Unlike the puck star playing puck in the USA, these people dared to share their opinions only at their own kitchen table.
At the time, Panarin’s exit gave great hope to Russians frustrated by the injustice of society. Five years ago, he was the hero of many who hoped for an equal and free state, a rare example of a Russian ice hockey player who was not afraid to question the arbitrariness of the political leadership.
Panarin, the hero’s cape, can still be worn, this time only in completely different circles.
Before, Panarin questioned the actions of those in power and the status of ordinary citizens. Today, he emphasizes that it is good to be in Mother Russia.
The full translation of Kaukaoli’s natural child can be confusing, but it is by no means unique.
Critics of the Soviet system and NHL rebels of the time Vyacheslav Fetisov and Igor Larionov are currently enjoying comfortable holidays in their home country – Fetisov is a member of parliament for the ruling United Russia party and Larionov is the head coach of the KHL team Torpedo.
Artemi Panarin may well join a similar club in the future.