«When I was growing up, I wear 11, When I was, like, 16 years old, I was with (the Russian Federation's) first team, and they give me a chance to play a game. I was asked, 'What number you want?' I see one of the older guys wearing 11, and I'm sad because, you know, I can't take it — he's older, I'm a younger guy.
Seventy-one looks like 11, so I go with it. It looks similar, right? Seven looks like 1, and 71 looks like 11. I think so!
I think now that I'm signed back in Pittsburgh and only play here, my final year I change back to 11, I want back my 11. I want one year to play my original number.