14°c Overcast
13°c Variable cloudiness
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
If you can pronounce it, you are not from here
YOU try to pronounce it: Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk.That's the team in the new Kontinental Hockey League that Manitoban Kirby Law played for this fall in a place which he says is "out in the middle of nowhere in Russia."
"I've been travelling around a little bit this year," said the 6-foot-1 forward, who left the team after a three-month stay, returned to his home just outside Winnipeg for a week and is back in the Swiss Hockey League with Fribourg.
The Neftekhimik -- who have former NHLer Ladislav Khon and ex-Manitoba Moose forward Fedor Fedorov in their lineup -- released Law Oct. 27 after some three months in which he had just three points in 10 games.
Since joining Fribourg, he has three goals and four assists in 12 games and is playing on the club's top line, he said Wednesday in a phone interview.
Law wanted to play in the KHL for a season, since it paid more than Geneva of the Swiss League, for whom he had starred for two seasons. His family stayed in Winnipeg while he went to Russia.
It didn't pan out.
"I think it was the language barrier," he said. "The coaches and everybody on the team basically spoke Russian, besides a few of the other imports. So communication was a big issue and I think in one way or another, they were wanting someone else, I imagine.
"So we kind of came to an agreement and I got out of there."
chris.cariou@freepress.mb.ca
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 18, 2008 C1
- Back to Top
- Return to Hockey
Poll
Most Popular Hockey
- Tale of two stars as Crosby outshines Karlsson in Penguins 4-3 win over Senators
- Ready for prime time
- Ex-Jets MacLean, Carlyle on Sochi coaching list
- Jets cut ties to ECHL club
- Burke will be back; he's just that good
- 'It's the worst feeling'
- Sharks fined $100,000 for GM Doug Wilson's comments about Raffi Torres' suspension
- King's quest is to repeat
- Take your hat off to Sidney
- Scheifele’s dominance makes Jets look wise
- Ready for prime time
- Jets cut ties to ECHL club
- Boogaard family sues NHL for son's death, says it is to blame for brain damage
- Winnipeg Jets among most expensive pro teams to watch
- Scheifele’s dominance makes Jets look wise
- Boston completes miraculous comeback in overtime to oust Maple Leafs
- Colts drop Game 7 in OHL final
- Chevy's choice: Stick with Noel or pursue Vigneault
- When money talks, it says, 'End fighting in the NHL'
- 'It's the worst feeling'
- Enough of Buff: Get rid of him
- For first time, Jets GM Cheveldayoff is poised to put stamp on the franchise
- Chevy's choice: Stick with Noel or pursue Vigneault
- Young prospects will get every opportunity to stick with the big club: Cheveldayoff
- It's broke - Fix it
- Jets' playoff hopes dealt fatal blow
- This end-of-season scenario old, and Jets fans and players know it
- Win against Montreal Jets' last hope in playoff push
- Jets edge Sabres
- Caps just too much for Jets
- Winnipeg Jets among most expensive pro teams to watch
- When money talks, it says, 'End fighting in the NHL'
- Boogaard family sues NHL for son's death, says it is to blame for brain damage
- Jets cut ties to ECHL club
- The Boston OT Party
- Burke will be back; he's just that good
- The Gretzky of Gretzky collectors sells hoard that brought him closer to game
- Enough of Buff: Get rid of him
- Winnipeg Jets among most expensive pro teams to watch
- It's broke - Fix it
- When money talks, it says, 'End fighting in the NHL'
- Manitobans go fourth, fifth in WHL draft
- Slideshow: Things that didn't exist the last time the Leafs were in the playoffs
- Summer could be a sizzler
- Wheat Kings land Patrick after draft day deal
- Chevy's choice: Stick with Noel or pursue Vigneault
- Saturday's game had it all -- what a blast
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.