Clune, who has spent time in the AHL and NHL this season and is one of the Marlies? go-to leaders, used his playful personality to earn the trust of Soshnikov, and recognized in him a familiar fire and sense of self-sacrifice on the ice that was especially endearing.
?When I first met him, the one thing you can see is that look in his eye ? he?s got a fire burning inside of him, and he?s got that aura about him that he wants it,? Clune said. ?He speaks that language, and right off the hop, me and him have that common bond. We?re cut from the same cloth. And he lacks a little bit of self-preservation, which I love. I love guys that are fearless. They?re aware of the repercussions, but he knows we get paid a lot of money to do what we do.?
Clune began helping Soshnikov with English by using his trademark good humour.
?He couldn?t speak much, and I taught him a couple of the essentials,? Clune said. ?Our captain is Andrew Campbell ? ?Soup? ? who?s been my best friend the past six years since we played together in Manchester. So the first thing you teach him is ?Shut up, Soup,? and the second is ?What?s up, Soup??. Those were his first two phrases, and we went from there.?
