Friday, January 23, 2009

HftL Does the All-Stars (Eastern Conference): EVGENI MALKIN of the Pittsburgh Penguins


I can still remember the excitement that my husband, John, had when Malkin finally fled from Russia so he could come to the US and play for the Penguins. He explained how “this kid may be even better than Sidney!” No way, I didn’t believe it – someone better than Sidney? Well, it’s been a few years since then and he’s definitely made a believer out of me – there is someone just as good, if not better, than Crosby (as much as it pains me to say it, I'm all for giving credit where it’s due); however, I suppose it can be like comparing apples and oranges since they’re two totally different types of players – they can both be categorized as elite!!

What’s Hot – come on, what’s NOT hot about a skilled hockey player that’s good at his craft?!! He’s a natural player (even my husband will tell you that!) and makes everything he does on the ice look effortless – now THAT’S SEXY!!! Oh, and of course we cannot forgot about those beautiful manly hands of his!! He’s not unlike Modano in the fact that he’s “shy sexy” to borrow a term from my good friend, Kena!! He single-handedly saved the Pens season last year after Sidney went down with a high-ankle sprain injury by carrying the entire team on his back encouraging the rest of them to step up and play at another level – he takes the reigns when he needs to and knows exactly when that is! He’s also very humble and credits his teammates before accepting credit himself. Recently, Malkin has more willingly been learning the English language which is something that intrigues the female fans, myself included!! How cute is his thick accent and his eagerness to "please" the media with proper English?!! Too damn adorable!!

What’s Hockey – represented Russia at the 2006 Olympics as well as in two World Under-18 Championships (2003, 2004), three World Junior Championships (2004, 2005, 2006), and two World Championships (2006, 2007); named to All-Tournament team at 2007 World Championships and tied for Russian team scoring lead at 2006 Worlds with nine points in seven games; named top forward and tournament MVP at 2006 World Junior Championship where he scored 10 points in six games; played three seasons with hometown team Metallurg Magnitogorsk in Russian Super League (2003 - 2006) leading the team to a regular season title (2005-2006) and ranked third in league scoring as 19-year-old with 47 points in 46 games; won Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year (2006-2007) and named to NHL All-Rookie Team being the first Penguins played to be named Rookie of the Year since Mario Lemieux in 1984-1985; led all NHL rookies in goals - 33, assists - 52, points - 85, power-play goals - 16, and power-play points - 40; scored his first NHL goal in first NHL game on October 18, 2006 against New Jersey Devils' goalie Martin Brodeur; became the first NHL player in 89 years to score a goal in each of his first six games.

BIG THANKS to "71crush" for all the AWESOME Malkin pictures featured in this post (I just regret I couldn't use more)!!

8 comments:

71crush said...

Wow Steph you did an awesome job!! THanks soooooooo much for making today GENO day!! He is the total package and as far as I'm concerned doesnt get enough love!! Thanks again!

Kylie @ Faux Hawks and Follies said...

What's not to love about Geno? If you can think of something, let me know.

Anonymous said...

yummmmm.
ah what are you gonna do about sid's planned post?!?!
i say you should do his post too, he's amazing!

Erika Zimmerman said...

yummy.
i love geno so much! this was a great post and it just made my day!

swissmiss said...

the sexy hands, those lips, nice butt, oh yeah and his amazing hockey skill.....

Lizzybeth8771 said...

ahhh i love Geno! the fishing pic is my favorite!
the last time i was down in pittsburgh Geno drove right beside us and we all screamed when he looked over at us! he probably got a little freaked out but it made my day!

Lauren said...

Oh wow, this was a great post. I just love him - he always makes everything seem so...effortless...like he's completely unfazed by anyone else on the ice (including a certain Washington Crapital who insists on getting all up in Geno's business every time the two teams meet). And hearing him do interviews is just adorable - how can you not love him?


@71crush: where did you get all those great pictures?

71crush said...

Lauren - I got them all over the place! I agree he is adorable. He actually has a new interview up at the Pens site for the all star game today! Too cute!