In Soviet Russia, Car Drives You!

10:49AM

Born 1981 in a small clinic outside the slums of Moscow, Anatoli Konstantin Pechersky was soon placed under the care of a state run orphanage, placed there by his parents who soon abandoned him after his birth. It is believed that both mother and father were either addicts who planned on dumping their baby in the Moskva river but had a sudden streak of the conscience, or his mother was a prostitute who thought the Communists could take better care of her child than she could. Either way, the fate and identity of his birth parents has remained a mystery. Growing up in the walls of the orphanage, it was used as a means for the State to fashion the young boys into some of the brightest leaders, artists and thinkers that would lead the party to glory. While not quite sure how and when it came to be, he found himself enrolled in ballet courses and training to become a dancer. This would go all well and good for Toli, who didn't mind being able to bend and twist more aptly than any of his friends.

He grew up knowing only the dance studio, the playground outside the orphanage and the walls inside. Nothing more. But during his tenth birthday, the whole world was changing around him and Toli couldn't help but get swept up in the change. Glasnost and Perestrokia came and soon the Communists were out of power. The state orphanage had been changed from breeding ground to a private academy. It was also at this time that Toli discovered what would become his life long passion: ice hockey. Staying late one night after a ballet lesson, he was asked to fill in for one of the absent boys at an impromptu hockey match. While his first few minutes on ice were shakey, his natural dancer's grace and skill helped him find a skating rhythm and he took to the sport like a fish to water. Toli's skill on the ice would be noticed by a scout searching for players for the national Olympic Hockey team to attend the 1998 Winter games in Nagano. Toli would be the youngest member of the team, being only 17 when they arrived in Japan to compete. His natural skill, speed and grace on the ice as well as his ability to anticipate his teammate's actions helped earn the Russian team 2nd place, and a shiny silver medal for Toli.

Taking a year off to enjoy the fruits of his success and the national hero status he earned back in his native country, change once again came Toli's way. A contract. In America. Starting off with a minor league team, The Manchester Monarchs, which was a feeder team with The Los Angeles Kings, a professional team that had brought glory to many of his fellow country men in the past. He was eventually convinced to take the offer by his coach and fellow players. 2000 saw his American debut, traveling around the country and playing small venues with the minor league team before he was given a chance to shine on the professional circuit in 2002. His first season was one that made headlines across the Hockey world. "The Ice Dancer" had made an impact and showed that it was not only an asset but also an advantage to have the speed and abilities of a dancer. He narrowly avoided many body checks and ducked underneath mean linesmen to earn his goals and the eventual Rookie of the Year Award.

He's a stable player and one of the foundations for the King's line up, making them a strong contender for the Confrence Finals and in the end, the Stanely Cup. His humble nature and respect from his teammates has earned him the Assistant Captain's position. Through it all, Toli just needs a stick and some skates to be a happy puppy.


( Awards and Honors )