Russian culture immersion keys Keenan's success

The New York Times details how Mike Keenan's KHL club, Magnitogorsk Metallurg, is challenging for the Gagarin Cup.

One of the more refreshing aspects of the article involves his approach to teaching, beginning with when he initially arrived in Russia.

“The first thing I did was immerse myself in the culture of the experience and the understanding of the players,” Keenan said. “It’s better to understand than to be understood.”

That's not a new philosophy for Keenan either, as he reflects back on some of the Russian stars he coached while in North America.

“I knew the mentality to a certain extent and had some great success with Russian players in the N.H.L., but the first thing I thought I had to learn was how these people think as opposed to what I could teach them on the ice,” Keenan said.

New York Rangers fans in particular may want to check out the article for Keenan's thoughts up the upcoming 20-year Cup anniversary reunion.

“The only thing that has always ate at me is that I didn’t stay around; I thought we could have won more than one Cup.”

Source: Brian Pinelli, New York Times