Red Wings C SERGEI FEDOROV "has been an NHL story for
10 years," but "in many ways, Fedorov remains the most
puzzling star in hockey," according to Mitch Albom of the
DETROIT FREE PRESS. Fedorov: "Some people -- some
journalists, I think -- are a little bit afraid of me. They
don't know how to take what I say. ... I think people need
to realize I am my own self. I don't speak to the media to
try to kiss somebody's butt. I just try to answer the
questions." Asked about his relationship with ANNA
KOURNIKOVA, Fedorov said, "When I was with her, I was living
in a soup bowl. I tried to just do my job, concentrate on
my hockey and support her career like she supports my
career." But then "people start talking. It snowballs. I
was dating someone who was more famous than me, more famous
than probably anyone in our locker room." On "the stories
about their breakup," Fedorov said, "Nobody really knows
what went on. But the rumors ... after a while it was just
sad, you know? ... Dating Anna was a learning experience,
that is for sure. Sometimes not very fun, but that is what
it is" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 4/19).
