Sep 9, 2006 3 min read

PITTSBURGH (AP) – Evgeni Malkin has understood for a while now that he will have to learn English to maximize his potential in the National Hockey League – to say nothing of his quality of life in America. But the 20-year-old phenom, participating in his first formal practice with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday afternoon, laughed when asked through an interpreter whether things would just be much easier if he taught Russian to all of his teammates and coaches instead.

“Some of my teammates have already mastered a few words of Russian,” he said through his interpreter. “They joke around using Russian in some of the words they know. They even use some to swear.”

Malkin – the No. 2 overall selection in the 2004 NHL Draft behind fellow Russian and 2005-06 NHL rookie of the year Alexander Ovechkin – might not understand the words of his coaches, but they say his hockey skills will translate seamlessly to the North American ice.

Malkin, one of 27 Penguins rookies taking part in a nearly two-hour practice Friday at Mellon Arena, signed his contract with the Penguins Tuesday after some peculiar circumstances this summer involving his Russian team’s contract. Malkin fled from his Metallurg Magnitogorsk club while they were training in Finland last month.

But Malkin said he is already feeling comfortable in his new hometown, complimenting the friendliness of the people and the support he has already received. Sounding like a true Pittsburgher already, Malkin even said he watched the Steelers season-opening win Thursday night – and he came away impressed with the city’s sports fans.

“It’s obvious Pittsburgh is a great sports city,” he said.

On Friday, Malkin, wearing No. 71, was the last player to take the ice for the practice.

“It’s difficult for me to describe my feelings because it was like a dream come true,” Malkin said. “And I felt very proud and excited.”

Malkin worked out with 2006 No. 2 overall draft selection Jordan Staal and 25 other rookies. Among those who skated, only defenseman Noah Welch, who appeared in five games last season, had any NHL experience.

Malkin said he picked up what drill to execute by paying attention to the X’s and O’s the coaches would write on a dry-erase board and by watching the players who went before him.

“He doesn’t talk too much,” said Stall, who turns 18 Sunday and was the youngest player on the ice. “But you can tell he’s a pretty good player, real quick. I’m sure he will fit in well.”

Welch said Malkin communicates well nonverbally on the ice with his teammates, and the immense talent of the player – widely recognized as the best outside of the NHL last season – was apparent.

“He has so much skill,” Welch said. “Obviously, I had heard a lot about him coming into camp, and in the (two hours) today, I saw a lot of great things. You can tell he thinks a little outside of the box and does things the average player can’t.”

Each of the players underwent a physical earlier in the day at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Center for Sports Medicine.

The examination included routine tests mandated by the NHL as well a battery of other health- and performance-related screenings.