Brennan Menell: I want to talk Russian as Dietz does

Dynamo Moscow defenseman Brennan Menell talked about his decision to obtain Russian citizenship, recalled the previous season, and also mentioned a player he would like to emulate in terms of learning the Russian language.

On July 27, Brennan Menell obtained Russian citizenship. In the 2022-2023 campaign, the blueliner played 50 games, with 27 (2+25) points and a plus-10 differential for the Blue-and-Whites.

“Receiving Russian citizenship was great,” Menell told KHL.ru. “It’s something I have talked with Dynamo’s director Alexei Sopin. Everything was done fast and I’m glad to obtain the citizenship. I enjoy playing in the KHL, and I like Moscow.” Last year, Dynamo featured another prominent import from North America, Eric O’Dell, who’s now without a contract after scoring 31 (16+15) points in 35 regular season games for the Blue-and-Whites.

“We communicate well,” Menell said. “It would be great if he returns. Eric is a big part of our team and a good friend.” The blueliner said that his family was happy with his decision, and that they hope that joining him in Russia will be easier as no other family member visited the country before. Moreover, he already had a chance to become a naturalized player when he first stepped up in the KHL, signing with Dinamo Minsk. “I had that chance there too,” he recalls. “However, after that season, I returned to North America. I wanted to give it another shot, but in the end, I understood that it would have been better if I played in the KHL.”

A big part of a North American player’s adaptation is due to the language barrier. Not many players get acquainted with the nuances of the Russian language. “I’m studying it”, Menell said. “I have a teacher now, I’m learning words, understanding how to use verbs, and form sentences. I hope that by the end of the year, I will be able to communicate well.” He aspired to follow in the footsteps of CSKA’s Darren Dietz, who “had made genuine efforts to learn Russian. I wish to reach the same level of respect and admiration that Darren had achieved in this respect.”

Reflecting on his first season with Dynamo Moscow he considered it somewhat disappointing after suffering from a first-round exit by the hand of Torpedo. “We wanted to go deeper in the playoffs, but we hadn’t any luck and we lost to a good team. However, the team’s core remained intact, and with the addition of star players like Nikita Gusev and Igor Ozhiganov, I understood that we can become one of the best teams in the League and we now have the goal of winning the Gagarin Cup.”

After the elimination stage, many rumors called Alexei Kudashov and his staff out of the team. “Every year there are talks of changes, but I’m glad that we kept the coaching staff together. We all have something to prove, remembering what happened a year ago, and we are determined to play for the coaches. Success would provide an opportunity for everyone to stay.”

As usual each summer, anticipation fills the air as the new season approaches. The players are now ready to embark on another challenging journey, a season that will again consist of 68 games in the regular season. For some, like our protagonist, this lengthier schedule was met with a sense of familiarity.

“We learn every year, getting to know ourselves and our teammates better,” he explained. “Last year, we had a solid regular season, but the playoffs didn’t really go as we wanted. Now, we understand the team’s system better – how we play, how I can be more effective. Last season, I arrived only in September, but now, I’m here in July and can go through the full preseason with the team.”

As the new season brings in some changes, the players are eager to adapt. One of the new rules that caught Menell’s attention was the three-second rule behind the net. It required players to think quickly and avoid lingering behind the crease during line changes. “I usually stay there during line changes,” the blue liner admitted. “Now, I need to figure out how to get out quickly and not get stuck. It’s evident that this will speed up the game, and defensemen will need to make faster decisions, learn to handle the pressure.”

Another rule change that garnered interest was related to face-offs at the beginning of periods, with the attacking zone advantage for the team on a power play. “When there are more goals – it’s good for fans, players, and the entire League,” he mused. “It’ll help us score more because it’s always tough to enter the opponent’s zone and gain possession of the puck. I like this rule, but I’m sure penalty-killing units won’t. It’s all about winning the face-off and setting up the play.”

Different from most of other imports, Menell moved to the KHL at young age – he was just 23 when he first signed with Dinamo Minsk. “Yes, even in Belarus, they were surprised at first why I came at such a young age,” the blueliner – who hails from Minnesota – admits. “My choice in favor of the KHL was because I wanted to play in the best league that I could. I enjoy it here. I want to play here for as long as possible, especially since I am already a Russian citizen,” he says with a big smile.

Also SKA’s forward Brendan Leipsic is currently rumored to be seeking Russian citizenship himself. “I think a few more guys will try to do it. Other players have already asked me about it. It’s probably influenced by the new limit on foreigners,” he said as Russian KHL teams are now limited to three import players in gameday lineup. This summer, several former Menell’s teammates moved to the KHL. “This summer, quite a few guys reached out to me, asking about the KHL and what it’s like here. I always give them my honest opinion, that I like it here. Many of them made decisions, like Sam Anas, who also signed in Minsk. He’s a good player and will be helpful to them. Yes, you can call me a KHL ambassador,” he laughs. “However, I haven’t met anyone who told me they didn’t like it here. You always need to know where you’re going; if you don’t, it can be tough to adapt to the culture and different way of life.”

However, before moving himself, Menell didn’t ask advice. “I didn’t ask anyone,” he admits. “I knew that guys from North America come to the KHL and play successfully – I felt that I could play here too.”

Dossier

Brennan Menell

Born May 24, 1997, in Woodbury, Minnesota, USA.

Playing career: 2014-2016, Vancouver (WHL); 2016-2017, Lethbridge (WHL); 2017-2020, Iowa (AHL); 2019-2020, Minnesota (NHL); 2020-2021, Dinamo Minsk; 2021-2022, Toronto (AHL) Lehigh Valley (AHL); 2022-today, Dynamo Moscow.