NHL players adjust to KHL
RT continues its series of special reports on the KHL. This time we take a look at the former NHL tough guys trying to adjust to the new league.
Canadian Darcy Verot is spending the 2007-2008 season with Vityaz Chekhov. His arrival was some kind of a sensation, since Russian hockey had never seen this aggressive way of playing the game, which the Chekhov crowd really enjoys. The town's stadium rarely has empty seats even though the club is currently the worst in the KHL.
Vityaz has increased the number of Canadian tough guys in their squad this season. Chris Simon, who's been threatening NHL stars for the past 15 years, is now a part of the Russian side.
Simon says he's not here for the fighting though. One of the reasons Chris is trying to adjust to the new role of goal scorer is the high price players have to pay for taking off their gloves in the KHL. The league doesn't really accept fights on its rinks and the players get a match penalty plus at least two games suspension.
With more than 20 games remaining, Vityaz have no chance of making the play-offs this year but their fans are still enjoying the way their team is playing.
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