Thunderbirds seek Russian interpreter for new standout player Senturin

Wanted: Someone fluent in Russian; extra points for an advanced appreciation of hockey.

The Seattle Thunderbirds are in search of an area resident who can function as an interpreter – and a bit of a goodwill ambassador – for one of the team’s newest standout players.

Mikhail Senturin, 17, will be coming to the Kent area next week, fresh from Moscow, where he’s made a name for himself as a forward.

While he knows the game of hockey inside and out, he’s about to embark on his NHL draft year as a T-Bird with barely any English.

“It’s gonna be tough,” acknowledged T-Bird Hockey Operational Assistant Jeff Caso, who’s putting the pieces in place for getting the young player here.

Since Senturin is 17, this is his critical season to establish a presence with the NHL scouts – he officially enters the draft next year as an 18-year-old. So he needs to be operating in peak form as a contributor.

“Communication is probably going to be the key to his success on the ice,” said Ian Henry, the team’s director of media relations.

The team is hoping to find an adult with a background in Russian who can work with Senturin about two times a week, to help him understand the directives from his coaches. The person also would be a key player in introducing Senturin to the local area and culture, especially during the first few weeks of his stay here, when the Puget Sound area will be at its most foreign to him.

But a key part of their role would be in helping to ensure Senturin is clear on what the coach is saying, and the plays the team is working out. Caso said that while they don’t have a lot of information about the young player, he’s on multiple radars with scouts who’ve seen him play back home.

“He came highly recommended from a couple of different scouts,” Caso said.

Senturin will be living in the area, probably with one of the team’s regular billet families who already have a T-Bird player with whom Senturin can connect. The team also is planning to enroll him an English as a second language program, probably at Kent-Meridian High School.

But a one-on-one interpreter would go a long way in helping the player to live up to his potential, as well as understanding American culture. Caso said that in addition to the two days a week, it would be a great help if that person were available for Senturin to contact by phone when he has questions.

To learn more about functioning as an interpreter for the T-Birds, contact Henry at 253-856-6836, or via e-mail at ianh@seattlethunderbirds.com.