Alexander Burmistrov: "Atlanta invited me to their training camp"

Russian center Alexander Burmistrov was picked 8th overall by the Atlanta Thrashers during the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. His great performances with the Barrie Colts jersey in the OHL meant a lot of attention from many scouts. In this allhockey.ru interview Burmistrov explained how the Thrashers never hidden their interest in him, shared his impressions about the draft process and also talked about Ivan Telegin, who has been picked up by the Thrashers too.

RussianProspect.com offers you a translation.

- You were the first Russian player picked up in this draft and the second highest Russian pick in the latest five years (Nikita Filatov was picked up sixth overall in the 2008 selections). Did you calm down already or emotions are still going?

Burmistrov: I'm still on a great mood. I'm very happy that Atlanta drafted me. I talked with the team's staff during the season and at the Combine, they even interviewed me here in Los Angeles.

- Did you know that they would draft you with their first pick?

Burmistrov: I supposed nothing. I was sitting there and i was very nervous. When it was Atlanta's turn I was even more nervous, but when they said my name everything slept away. I was extremely happy and I was already calm when I went to the stage. It was really pleasant.

- Many say that when they announced their name they don't feel a thing and simply and go to the stage with the auto pilot. Did you feel something similar?

Burmistrov: When I was going there I couldn't understand a thing, I was in a comatose status. When I got to the stage Gary Bettman said "Welcome!" and by then I was already back to consciousness.

- If it's not a secret, with whom were you attending the ceremony?

Burmistrov: With me there were my parents, my brothers, two agents, agent's daughter and Ivan Telegin with his mom and relatives. We have good ties and thus we sit in the same zone.

- What happened after you left the scenes?

Burmistrov: At once they put a microphone on me and reporters from Atlanta were dangling after me, shooting video. Then with a scout I gave a live radio interview, and then I left the scenes and I sit at a table and replied journalists' questions. Then I gave autographs, had some photos, gave other interviews... there was a lot going on. It took a hour and half. When I got back to the hall, they were drafting the 25th player I think (smiles).

- How would you judge your photo session?

Burmistrov: (laughs) It was fun.

- After this you talked with Atlanta's board. About what?

Burmistrov: About the next season. They told me that they want that I keep on working and attend their training camp, and also to try getting a spot in the senior team.

- Let's imagine a bad variant, in which you don't get a spot with the Thrashers. The staff would prefer to have you spending a further year in the OHL or would you play in their farm team?

Burmistrov: We didn't discuss this yet. I'll do what they'll say.

- Did you attend the second day of the draft and cheered for the other Russians players?

Burmistrov: Yes, I arrived there right at its start. I cheered for our guys. I was sitting with Burmistrov and we waited until he was picked up (laughs).

- Did you suspect that Atlant would pick Telegin too?

Burmistrov: No, I didn't, I didn't even think about this. But I'm very glad that he was drafted by Atlanta.

- You spent free time together in Los Angeles and then you become players of the same team. How did you celebrate?

Burmistrov: We didn't. After the first day we walked back to the hotel, Telegin got in his room straight away and I talked for other two hours with the team's staff – with the head coach and the general manager. Today we simply got this known and all.

- Did you visit the city?

Burmistrov: Yes, I was on the beach, at the Universal Studios. It was simply great, words can't even describe this. Then went to Disneyland.

- Did you see any celebrity on the street?

Burmistrov: (laughs) No, no one. I was walking along the city center with my agent and I suddenly spotted a person in white who was running toward us. Then I watched at him when he got near and he was Sidney Crosby! He was simply running along the center of Los Angeles. But a part him I've seen no one else.

- What are your plans after the draft?

Burmistrov: Now I go to visit my parents as they are going to fly back home, then I'll go to New Jersey to my agent and I'll try there. Then on July 7th the rookie camp will start.

- Are you going to take a vacation?

Burmistrov: I've already had one. Ater the season I spent literally five hours in Kazan and then I flew to Turkey for a two-week vacation. And from there I've flew to Los Angeles. After the rookie camp I plan to spend some time in Kazan and then I'll get back overseas to skate in the senior team's training camp.

- You'll play the next season surely at an even higher level. Are you going to prepare in some special way or do you have a certain program that you'll follow for the trainings?

Burmistrov: Most likely I'll prepare for the next season with the usual program, but I'll try working harder as it will be another level. If you want to get a spot in the main team you have to work very well during the preseason.

- And will you run like Sidney Crosby?

Burmistrov: (laughs) Maybe that too.