Philadelphia Flyers GM Danny Briere and Lehigh Valley Phantoms head coach Ian Laperriere spoke on the drama surrounding Alexei Kolosov's relationship with the organization during the team's rookie camp.
Laperriere said he was "as surprised as [the Flyers front] office" when he read the reports coming out about Kolosov refusing to come back to the Flyers, despite being contractually obligated to report to the team's preseason camps. (Kolosov was not listed on the rookie camp or main training camp rosters.)
Both Laperriere and Briere said that every effort was made on the Phantoms' part to make Kolosov comfortable in his new environment, despite the fact that he didn't speak English.
"To be honest—maybe I'm the worst coach in the world—but I make the people around me comfortable," Laperriere said. "I'm a friendly guy, you guys have known me for 15 years!"
Laperriere also highlighted the fact that Kolosov's teammates did try their best to include him in team activities, but it was Kolosov that refused their offers.
"Guys asked him to go out every night for dinner, he said no," the Quebec native said. "And I get it, he doesn't speak English so it's tough. My English isn't great, I didn't speak English when I first [played for the Peoria Rivermen] when I was 20, so it's part of hockey when you go from one country to the other."
Briere echoed this sentiment, confirming that Phantoms "went out of their way" to make him feel comfortable, and saying it was "frustrating" that their efforts were rebuffed so often.
He also reiterated that, while adjusting to a new country and learning a new language like English is no easy task, "that's the life of a professional hockey player. You've gotta adapt if you want to play hockey. That's just the way it is."
Both men acknowledged that the Kolosov drama has been plagued by sensationalized rumors and overdramatized versions of the story, but they're standing firm in their position that if he wants to play hockey, he has to honor his contract with the Flyers.
"I don't think it's coming from [Kolosov himself]. Stuff gets translated, who said what...but yeah, it's frustrating," Laperriere said. "I don't know what to believe or what's out there because [Kolosov] never told us anything. I wish him luck, I hope we'll see him soon because he is a talented kid, but I'm going to play the guys that I have."
"He has to respect his contract with us," Briere stated. "We have no interest in loaning him back [to the KHL]. We want him to develop here. There's a great opportunity for our goalies right now. We have young goalies in net...so we just thought it would be a great opportunity for him at this time."
