By Philippe Ducarroz
Once again, Slava Bykov must say to himself that he should have kept quiet. It is true that the slightest statement from the former Tsar of Gottéron is judged, weighed and sometimes (often?) distorted. The fault lies in his clearly defined positions, the harsh remarks made against Gottéron’s technical direction and the use of his image by Russian sites and media which have made disinformation a devastating tool.
Yesterday an article appeared on a Russian site resuming an interview given by Bykov on Match TV. The former Dragons No. 90 was asked to give his opinion on the arrival of Linden Vey at the BCF Arena. The reason for the termination of the agreement between Omsk (KHL) and Vey was given as “family circumstances requiring an urgent return to Canada.” However, yesterday, Fribourg-Gottéron announced that the player would arrive this Thursday on the banks of the Sarine.
And as he was asked, Bykov inquired. Here’s what his source told him: “Vey’s family has three children. One of them is very ill, and very seriously. They all flew to Canada and are there. Linden is not in Switzerland and is not expected soon. He will come when he can.” Hoping its source is solid.
A simple rumor? A Russian attempt to sow discord in a championship which does not hesitate to seek reinforcements to the great disappointment of a federation which no longer gets along at all with the IIHF? Still, Bykov – who does not know Linden Vey – was very touched by this story. “A child is sacred”he repeated to us last night on the phone. “But I can assume that he brought the child to Switzerland and continued his career here, not only to remain an active hockey player, but also to pay for expensive treatment at a local clinic. This is just a theory, but let’s take a closer look at this story. There are indeed circumstances. Vey did not cheat to cover up the child’s illness. It’s really serious”Bykov told Match TV.
He expresses his feelings
However, certain voices were raised in Switzerland and Russia to denounce Bykov’s remarks, supposed to cause disruption in the transfer of Vey. In fact, Bykov only expressed his feelings – as he explained to us at length – in a very difficult situation for the player and his family, nothing more. Those who spread rumors will have to admit, however, that they were wrong. Because the explanation comes to us from Sergei Zvyaginthe head coach of Avangard Omsk: “I spoke to Linden myself before he left. According to him, the family situation is very difficult. He said there were very serious health care problems in Canada. If the medicines are free, you have to wait a very long time to find the right specialist.”
And Zvyagin continues: “Our club management offered Vey help in taking the child to Germany for treatment, and we as an organization could help. Linden said he contacted doctors from his former teams – Vancouver, a German club, Switzerland – to see if he could find a good doctor. One of the big problems is you have to figure out the diagnosis itself, what’s going on, what the root cause is. I think it is likely that Vey has found the right specialists in Switzerland”.
The matter is now clarified. Linden Vey will arrive as quickly as possible and Slava Bykov has only once again expressed his skin-deep sensitivity.
