PAVEL BURE LIFE BEYOND THE NHL
It has been written that Pavel Bure would just as soon use a shrug instead of words. He has been described as quiet, a reluctant superstar and very private. Perhaps he is mum about his life off the ice because he says much of what has been written about him is false.
" There was a story in the paper that I’d been attacked by the Russian Mafia in Vancouver. There was a story that I bought a house out by a lake. None of that stuff ever happened." There is no doubt that there are great hopes for him to be one of the NHL’s great spokesmen. He has been descibed as extremely attractive, and a James Dean look-a-like. To all of this, Bure laughs.
He is not one to toot his own horn. He will never outshine Charles Barkley or Dennis Rodman. But that seems just fine with him. He downplays the suggestion that he is among the elite hockey players and admits his imperfections.
"Everybody has doubts about themselves. I’m a normal person. I’m just a person who keeps everything inside. I try not to show other people when I have doubts. But I have them. A lot of them." On the day NHL.com visited with Bure at his home in Vancouver, we found him to be personable, friendly and comfortable with himself and his surroundings. He calls Vancouver a "beautiful city with friendly people and loyal fans."
Our visit came shortly after Christmas and immediately after a large snow storm. Pavel and his live-in girlfriend Dahn Bryan spent most of the day shoveling the driveway. Placed deep into the snow was a hockey stick, a clear indication that almost a foot of snow had fallen in a 24-hour period. Their Christmas tree was still lit and stockings were hanging from the warm fireplace. During our interview, Pavel received a phone call from his brother Valeri, a fellow NHL player with the Montreal Canadiens. Last year Valeri wed television actress and longtime star of Full House, Candace Cameron. Taking advantage of a few days without a NHL game, Valeri called to say they were off to the Caribbean. Pavel and Dahn were clearly envious.
Pavel’s grasp of the English language has vastly improved, and all the articles written about him being aloof and distant must have met him on an off day. He spoke openly about his family, teammates and his love for fast cars. He owns a Mercedes and a red Ferrari. Bure says red is the only color for a Ferrari. "They just go together."
He loves the city and beauty of Vancouver but it took some time to get used to what he calls a "small town." He lists New York and Los Angeles as his favorite cities because they most remind him of home.
"I love NY and LA because I’m from Moscow and it's a pretty big city too. There is something different about big cities. When I first came here and went to New York City I would step off the bus and walk around and think ‘Whew! I’m home.’ Feels like the same energy. After five years here, I went back to NY and thought ‘this place is too busy, I need to get back to Vancouver where there is more quiet.’ I guess I have changed over the years. I don’t like big cities anymore. I love it right here." You don’t have to tell Pavel Bure he is fortunate. His home is decorated with pictures of famous people he has met - Ross Perot, Boris Yeltsin, tons of movie stars. His awards, medals and trophies take up one corner of his living room and he even got the chance to sing "Cuts Like A Knife" with Canadian singer Bryan Adams. (although he admits to not knowing any of the words to the song!)
He lives with girlfriend and former model Dahn, who will speak openly about her love for hockey - only when Pavel is playing. She remembers that the first time she saw Pavel score, she almost started to cry.
Pavel Bure has traveled a long way in his 25 years. He has seen more than most and earns the kind of money reserved for movie stars or royalty. It is yet to be seen if his name will permanently be etched among the greats of the game. What is now certain is that opportunities for children in Russia are far greater than they ever were for him. Thousands of Russian children now grow up dreaming of playing in the greatest hockey league in the world - the NHL. To that Pavel has just one bit of advice - learn English!
"When I was growing up it was impossible to play in the NHL. It’s funny. In school we had to learn English at 6 or 7 years old, but no one took it seriously. We would say to teachers, ‘Why do I have to learn English if for the rest of my life I have to stay in this country?’ To all children in Russia, I now say learn your English, you just may need it."
