The Capitals prospects didn't need to know Russian to form a bond with Miroshnichenko at development camp.
ARLINGTON, V.A. -- As Wendy Marco demonstrates and explains a drill at Washington Capitals development camp, Bogdan Trineyev turns to Ivan Miroshnichenko and breaks it down in Russian. After a quick rundown, the 19-year-old gives a nod of understanding and a thumbs up before things get underway with him on the same page.
This past week marked the first time Miroshnichenko took the ice for the Capitals in North America, and this season will see him become further immersed in the playing style and culture overseas after leaving the KHL and signing his entry-level deal with Washington in June.
But beyond the challenges of a new league and smaller ice, there's a taller task awaiting him: learning English.
"It's been difficult not knowing the language," he admitted through an interpreter earlier in the week, adding, "That's been the toughest part."
Miroshnichenko knows some English, but he's still very much a beginner. He has a tutor off the ice, but he didn't have a full-time translator at camp as he tried to acclimate to the team's culture and systems. And ultimately, he believes that's will help make learning easier: experience.
"Obviously I think once I get here, once I get acclimated, it’ll be much easier for me," Miroshnichenko added.
While countrymate Trineyev and Russian-born Swede Alexander Suzdalev were his main resources, the other Capitals prospects also came together to take Miroshnichenko under their wing and help him along.
Haakon Hanelt formed a good relationship with the 2022 first-rounder during his time at camp and said that although he was able to speak some Russian with him thanks to his roommates back in the QMJHL, they didn't need words to connect.
"With Miro, it's a little bit tough," Hanelt said, adding that the two would mainly rely on non-verbal communication. "But we kind of find a way to figure it out and communicate with each other... sometimes it works out, sometimes not. But it's fun with him."
Free agent invitee Max Burkholder, who hails from Cheska, Minnesota, said that Miroshnichenko was also able to contribute to the positive culture at camp thanks to his sense of humor.
"Obviously such a good player and seems like a great person. Obviously doesn'ts peak the best English, but you know, he still makes jokes and laughs," Burkholder smiled.
When it came to understanding what was going on around him, the Ussuriysk, Russia native would pay extra attention and watch the breakdown of the drills and do his best to imitate.
"Just being really focused on trying to observe what the coaches are telling me," Miroshnichenko explained.
The Capitals' front office has been impressed with Miroshnichenko's effort to learn so far, and they believe that living and playing in the States this season will work wonders when it comes to learning the language. There's also a plan in place to get Miroshnichenko more resources in order to expedite that process.
"To be able to communicate more, it's tough to do the drills and those types of things if your English isn't up to a certain standard," assistant general Ross Mahoney said, adding, "English is going to be really important for him... we'll do everything we can to help him."
At the end of the day for Miroshnichenko, it's all just part of living out his dream as he eyes a spot on the NHL roster this season.
"It's been my dream to play in the NHL, so I’m just pursuing my dream and that’s kind of the next step for me," he said, adding later, "The biggest thing for me will be just learning English being able to communicate with my teammates, coaches. That would be the biggest challenge to start.”