Datsyuk reveals a deeper, thoughtful, funny side...

[DaKineMaui 8]

Great article. Had me choked up there for a minute. Pavel is really a great guy. Reminds me of a good story about when I met him a few years back.

So I flew up to Detroit to see some friends and catch a few games back in the 04-05 season. My brother came out from Kalamazoo so we could watch the Wings and the Blews, and turns out it was a great game with the Wings pulling it out in the third with under 2 minutes left. After the game, already nicely inebriated, we decide to hit the Greektown casino to play a little black jack. I did pretty decently and won around $500, and at this point, I didn't think the night could get much better. I went to cash out at the casino cage, and couldn't help notice the odd shape of the guys head in front of me, and I thought to myself, "where do I know this dude from?" Before I could put it together he turns around, after cashing out himself, and it's non other than Pavel himself, face to face with me. I was a little taken back, and drunk, so, like a moron, the best I could muster was a half point of my finger and a "Hey, Your Pavel Datsyuk." He smiled back and nodded his head and said "uh huh."

I hurriedly asked if he wouldn't mind signing my Stevie practice jersey and he said "sure." I even had to ask a worker in the casino cage for a pen; they didn't have a sharpie. He signs, and figured I would ask if I can get a picture of he and I on my camera phone, when this dufess comes running up, shaking a piece of paper in his face, and saying " your my favorite player" So before Pav signs his autograph, I ask the guy to take our picture with my camera phone. He does, and when I look at the pic, it is all blurry, and doesn't come out, because the guy is a total spazz, and moves his hand while getting the shot. Pav finishes with spazz boy, looks at me and can probably tell I am disappointed by the look on my face. I didn't know what to do but thought I would ask if he would come over to the bar where my brother was to take the pic, who had long since given up his money to a very amusing Philippino lady dealer at the tables, and who was WAY out of his tree from all the Jack and Cokes. I was expecting for him to say no, but to my surprise, he said "sure, no problem"

I couldn't believe it. So here is Dats and I walking across the casino, and I don't know if he could understand anything I was saying, but I told him how much we (Wings fans) appreciate him, and that he was the future of the team. He pretty much smiled and nodded. After a good 2 minute walk to the bar, we find my brother sitting there, sipping a jack and coke of course. I said to him "look who I found." He, not recognizing him says " who's that? somebody from North? (Grosse Pointe North). I say "NO YOU ******* JACKASS, it's Pavel Datsyuk" My brother opens his squinted eyes a little more and says"oohhhh, what's up man" So me, thoroughly embarrassed at this point, introduce him to my bro, who Pav must of thought was hilarious by the laugh and smile he let out. My Brother takes the picture, and amazingly enough, it comes out.

After I ask if we can buy him a drink, which he respectfully declines, but says "nice to meet you" shakes our hands and walks off.

My brother and I look at each other, as I slap him in the back of the head, and say " that was pretty cool"

Long story short; A super nice guy, very humble, and generous, and deserving of a $47 million contract.

Hey - post the pic!

[EuroTwin 240]

Fantastic article.

[Kira 451]

How beautiful, sad, funny, and most of all, endearing. How you cannot like this person is beyond me. As for me, well, I sent a message to him today before the game, and the last words were, "Always remember you are loved."

I hope he knows.

[55fan 5,133]

Hey - post the pic!

Yeah, post-game pics of Pavel from the 04-05 season are quite rare.

[Guest mindfly]

Datsyuk played in russia during the lockout loool

[titanium2 867]

Holy crap. I just noticed this.

In the article he said, "I don't think I am as good as I can be."

How scary is that? In what way could he possibly be better? I hope to be pleasantly surprised.

[Favshortie51913 0]

I wonder why Mitch didn't try and do that years ago.

I am glad we finally got to understand a different side of Dats. The story made me cry too.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

I wonder why Mitch didn't try and do that years ago.

I am glad we finally got to understand a different side of Dats. The story made me cry too.

Hey, I love Datsyuk too, but your signature is great and I agree! Go Dano!

[HkyTwn 5]

Seriously great article. What an inspiration.