Trineyev's Taste Of AHL Playoffs Sets Stage For 2022-23

HERSHEY, Pa. - The Washington Capitals seemingly always have one or more Russian-born hockey players scattered throughout the organization.

This year was no different when Bogden Trineyev, their 4th round draft pick from the 2020 NHL Draft, joined the Hershey Bears for the playoff run. The 20-year-old from Voronezh, Russia has appeared in games for Dynamo Moskva of the KHL and a variety of lower-tier Russian hockey clubs as well, primarily scoring most of his points with MHK Dynamo Moskva.

After Trineyev played his first game in North America, Alex Alexeyev graciously offered to translate for the newly arrived Russian hockey player in his first interview.

Ironically enough, in doing so, Alexeyev gave some insight into life in Hershey for Russian-born hockey players.

Unfortunately, Trineyev’s stay in North America was cut short as he only played in two playoff games for the Bears who fell 2-1 to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and failed to move out of the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Here's Julie's conversation with Trineyev and Alexeyev during the Bears' first round series with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton:

Julie Beidler (JB)  - First off, congratulations on your first game in the AHL.

Bogdan Trineyev (BT)  - Thank you.

JB - What is different between the AHL and the KHL?

BT  - It was more intense. There was more hitting. You have to always keep your head up.

JB  - Is it faster?

BT  - Yes.

JB  - Stepping into a playoff game is different, have you played a playoff game in the KHL?

BT, through translator Alex Alexeyev (AA) - He’s saying it’s pretty similar. There is more hitting.

JB  - You grew up in Russia?

BT  - Yes.

JB  - Did you play anywhere else?

BT  - Always in Russia.

JB  - This has to be an experience coming to Hershey?

Laughing, AA asks for the question again.

BT  - It's obviously a big experience for me because it's obviously the first time I came to North America to play here. I'm just going to prove that I'm ready to play.

JB  - So you weren't at Caps training camp yet?

BT  - No

JB  - Is that something you look forward to?

BT  - Of course.

JB  - There are lots of Russians down there - maybe they'll translate better than this guy. (Alexeyev translates and Trineyev laughs too.)

BT  - I hope until then I will learn a little English.

JB  - I hope I’ll learn a little Russian too.

AA - No

JB  - I’ll teach you English, you’ll teach me Russian. (Alexeyev once again translates and both laugh). You don't think I could learn Russian?

AA - No

JB  - Have you shown him around Hershey?

AA - He's been here for like a week. We already showed him pretty much all of Hershey, some restaurants. We went to Mechanicsburg to see our Russian fans who cheer for the Hershey Bears.

JB  - So there are Russian fans in Mechanicsburg and you went to visit them?

AA  - Yes. They invited us for dinner.

JB  - Did you take him to HersheyPark?

AA -  No, way too many people. First of all when we have a chance to go there it’' so hot. I remember I tried to go there with Sammy (Iyla Samsonov) one time, so we parked pretty far from HersheyPark because there was a lot of people there and we walked maybe 200 meters and we just turned around because it was so hot.

JB  - Do you like amusement parks?

BT  - No - I get sick.

JB  - Big Game 3 [Monday] night - what’s the prediction for tomorrow night?

BT  - Today was a huge game for us and some big emotions that played a big part for us. Tomorrow everything is in our hands and we just have to keep winning.

While things did not go according to plan for Trineyev, Alexeyev and the Bears, the chance to train and play in two games in North America definitely gave Trineyev an opportunity to learn what he needs to do in the off-season to come back to North America this fall ahead of Caps Training Camp, specifically adding some muscle to be able to compete in the harder-hitting leagues here.

The Bears will certainly be looking for some scoring next season as well, so if Trineyev gets as comfortable taking shots in the AHL as he seems to have been in the MHL, a stay in Hershey as opposed to South Carolina could very well be in the cards for the winger.