CBCSports.ca
October 5, 2009 11:27 AM
Posted by Elliotte Friedman
Each week, Hockey Night in Canada’s Elliotte Friedman brings you his take on the world of sports. Click, peruse, debate, comment.
Sometime today, Sergei Kostitsyn is scheduled to have a conversation with his agent, Don Meehan. The two men haven’t spoken since the start of the NHL season, a season that began with Kostitsyn in the witness protection program.
Last Thursday, as his former teammates beat Toronto 4-3 in overtime, the forward gave an interview to Washington-based Russian reporter Dmitry Chesnokov. (Click here for the interview.) In it, Kostitsyn blamed everyone and anything but himself for the demotion to Hamilton that made him go AWOL.
Young man, it’s time to look in the mirror.
Four years ago, Kostitsyn arrived in London, Ont., as an 18-year-old. It’s not an easy thing, being thrown into the OHL without basic command or understanding of the language. But the other players liked him, because he had a sense of humour and a willingness to try anything. Two things stood out: his enormous phone bills from sending text messages back to Belarus, and the fact they taught him English by forcing him to talk to women in social situations.
Whatever was lost in translation off the ice affected nothing on it. Kostitsyn had two excellent seasons, including 58 points in 35 playoff games. All of a sudden, the Canadiens had a seventh-round steal, a player who was in the NHL before he turned 21.
There were signs, however, that he still needed to mature. When he was sent down to Hamilton in 2007, reporters asked to speak to him about the decision. He told them he would put his equipment into his car, then talk. Kostitsyn never came back, choosing to drive off instead. For whatever reason, he’s never been made accountable.
Kostitsyn isn’t the only reason the Canadiens of 2008-09 totally imploded, but he was certainly one of the causes. Unfortunately, he clearly hasn’t learned from what happened. The season is early, but if training camp showed anything, it’s that others who underachieved really tried to change themselves during the summer.
Carey Price tinkered with his goaltending style. Ryan O’Byrne – unfortunately out for six weeks with an injury – came back a completely different player. Max Pacioretty read books on confidence and leadership.
Kostitsyn? He missed the bus for an exhibition game in Quebec City.
The best players in any sport know when to stand up and say, “You know what? That was my fault.” It’s what makes them great. If he wants any kind of career, Sergei Kostitsyn needs to learn that.