There was nobody quite like Pavel Datsyuk. He was an absolute machine in his prime, and taking the puck from him was almost impossible.
Datsyuk could hold up play like no other, and you never quite knew what was coming when he was on the ice. Datsyuk was a great playmaker and a huge part of the Red Wings teams that won the Cup in 2002 and 2008.
Datsyuk was a well-liked teammate and opponent. He was known for his sportsmanship and rarely got into fights or arguments. He was a true gentleman of the sport and won many individual awards for it.
He was a two-time Lady Byng Trophy winner, the NHL Gentleman Conduct award, heading into the NHL Awards 2008. He had just won the Stanley Cup, and when he was awarded the Selke Trophy for the Top Defensive Forward of the NHL, his speech was just perfect.
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Datsyuk wasn’t very confident speaking English, but he gave it his all, and fans will remember it forever.
Datsyuk started by thanking his teammates, family, and friends, and when he left the podium, he said:
“I want to speak longer, but my English short.”
The crowd couldn’t stop laughing at Datsyuk’s saying.
And later on the same award, he was awarded the third Lady Byng of his career. Once again, his speech was perfect.
“I said it all the first time, and now I have nothing. I just want to say thank you, and my language is short now.”
Once again, the crowd laughed and cheered to celebrate a true hero. Pavel Datsyuk, what a legend.
