Jan Bulis: I didn`t know how to tell the Sedin brothers apart

I haven't seen the tractor with my name

After seven years in Russia, do you feel that you have become Russian, at least partially?
No, even though I have been here for quite a while. Maybe in a couple of years it will come to it, but so far no. Plus, there are several English-speaking teammates in Traktor.

But your Russian is pretty good as well (before the interview we talked a bit of Russian - editor's note).
Of course, I've been here seven years. I also studied Russian at school. We learned Russian alphabet.

CSKA's MVP gets a soldier helmet after each game...
Seriously? Never heard about it! It's hilarious!

Have any of your previous teams had a tradition like that?
No, never! Back in Atlant the MVP of the game would get a present, a handshake and a 'Way to go'.

Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant has recently produced several tractors, naming each after a member of the team. Have you seen yours?
I've heard about it, but never saw it. In fact, it was a pleasant surprise for the team.

Michael Garnett once said he could drive a tractor.
It doesn't surprise me. Canada has so many farmers and fields, of course he should know how to drive a tractor (laughs). Unfortunately, I can't drive one.

Stas Chistov once said that Chelyabinsk fans pin big hopes on Traktor's top line. Does this happen for the first time in your career?
No. I often played in top two lines, and it means pretty big expectations irrespective of the teams you play for. As for our line, I play a lot on the defensive end, Stas and Kuzya work more on the attack.

Since when has Berube become a coach?

Let's talk a bit about your NHL career. Many of your partners like Oates, Housley, Berube have already become coaches.
You know, it's not pleasant that your former partners have turned grey and become coaches (laughs). I was 19 when I played along Oates and Berube. Now I am turning 36 soon, and I know look at the 19 year-olds as a father of sorts. It's amazing how quick a hockey life goes by.

Do you think Oates will be able to lead Capitals to the Cup?
Frankly, I don't follow NHL that closely. I know general stuff like Ovechkin is on a roll. After I went to Europe I stopped following the NHL news. Every once in a while I would check the rosters and not find a familiar name.

Back in the day, Berube was a tough guy. Were you surprised when he was named Flyers head coach?
I thought to myself: 'Since when has this guy become a coach?' (laughs). He is an example of how any player can become a coach. However, Berube did not get to the NHL overnight; he began with junior teams and learned the art of coaching, and now he has a great opportunity. I wish him the best of luck.

Back when those were still active players, did they give pieces of advice to the head coach?
Yes, and it is absolutely normal. When something is wrong with the team, the head coach asks the players what they would like to change. I remember Oates was team captain, and the coaching staff would often ask him what could be changed.

Did Kuznetsov ask you about the Capitals?
It's not that simple. I played for the Capitals more than 10 years ago. Now things have changed - other coaching staff, other system, other requirements et cetera. For example, we had training sessions at the arena that was a one-hour drive from the city center; now they train in the downtown.

Kovalev made his goals look real easy

Did you manage to learn French back in Montreal?
No, I just did not have time for this with a packed regular season. I memorized the basics. But you know, people from Montreal really appreciate the fact that a non-francophone learns the language. 

You played for Canadiens a long time ago, changed many teams since then, yet Andrey Markov is still a Canadiens player... 
Quite frankly, I am surprised he is still playing given his list of injuries. But when he is healthy, he is one the best Ds in the league.

Gino Odjick protected Pavel Bure back in Vancouver. Whom did he protect in the Canadiens?
Saku Koivu. Odjick did not play much though. Right now the league does not need bodyguards any more - there are tough guys that kicked the living hell out of each other. Back then every team needed a bodyguard, even though everybody respected the stars.

During your stint in Montreal you played along Aleksey Kovalev. Everyone knows he loves golf and planes. Did he invite you to take a flight or hit the golf course?
Again, there was no time for this. Plus, Montreal is very cold city - the snow remains for the better part of the spring, no time for golfing. Kovalev told me about his hobbies, but all we did together was eating out. By the way, that season was the best one in my NHL career. Kovalev was the superstar; he made his goals look too easy.

After Canadiens you briefly played for the Canucks. Could you tell the Sedin brothers apart?
Great question! I still haven't figured out how to do this! They are so alike, it's ridiculous! When saw him without jerseys on, I only said "Hey, how's it going?', without even trying to figure out whether it was Daniel or Henrik standing in front of me. By the way, many of my teammates did just the same (laughs).

Hockey experts already call Sharks' forward Tomas Hertl the new Jaromir Jagr. Do you think he can reach the same heights as Jaromir?
You know, we often heard this - new Jagr, new Gretzky, new Lemieux. I think it's too early to say this about Hertl. Of course, he is a great forward; he plays one of the best centers in the league in Joe Thornton who is a pass machine! I wish Tomas all the best; he is a talented player, everything is in his hands.

In the end, one more question about you. Do you think the Olympic bronze medals was the biggest accomplishment of your career?
Back in NHL I only made it twice to the second round of playoffs. It's hard to win the Cup. Someone wins it three times during their careers, others play for 15 years and never do it. Those bronze medals are the biggest accomplishment of my career on the national level. World Cup silver medals also mean a lot to me. Now I'm in Traktor, and since I already have bronze and silver, there's the only precious metal still to be earned (laughs).