Dmitry Chesnokov had a fantastic interview with Pavel Datsyuk for Yahoo’s Puck Daddy on Thursday and I can’t stop thinking about the article.

Not only does Pavel seem like the most down to earth hockey player on the planet, he just exudes what being a good person is. I remember reading a tweet from Brendan Shanahan regarding Pavel after Russia’s loss in the 2010 Olympics. The tweet was, in so many words, saw Pavel with his daughters hugging and kissing his face and asked him about Russia’s loss and he said everything is all right now. And I remember thinking, wow, this guy knows what is important. Yes, winning the gold for Russia was important but nothing compared to the love from his children.

In the article, Pavel briefly talks about the loss of his parents and Dmitry asks him the following questions:
D: What is the most beautiful word in Russian language?
P: ‘Mama.’ Definitely.
D: And in English?
P: [after taking a while to think] “In my opinion it’s the word ‘Believe.’

Believe: to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so.

Again, I thought, wow. Of all the words in English to find beautiful, believe…and then I realized I couldn’t agree more with Mr. Datsyuk.

Believe. Seven letters with such a great impact. People believe in a higher being, in miracles, in love, in each other, in hopes, and dreams, and the list goes on.

Believing in something bigger or that something better is out there. Believing in yourself, your talent, your skills, your strength, your power to change yourself and the world. Believing that you can do anything you set your mind to do.

Yes, the word believe might be the most beautiful English word and I would have never thought of it as so, if hadn’t been for Pavel Datsyuk.

Read Dmitry Chesnokov’s article for Puck Daddy