Five Semyon Varlamov facts

Russian national team goaltender Semyon Varlamov is preparing for his first World Cup of Hockey, and after missing the World Championship through injury, he has a point to prove. Take in some forgotten facts about the Colorado Avalanche player:

Assisted Alexander Ovechkin in being a Russian spy

During his time with the Washington Capitals, Semyon was remembered for not just being a great goaltender, but for being a sneaky spy along with Alexander Ovechkin too! We think that they got away with it...

Played in the last Super League final at 19 years of age

Semyon, who came through the Yaroslavl ice hockey system, was hailed as a great talent long before he made the move to the NHL. He debuted in the Russian Super League in the 2006/2007 season for Lokomotiv, and in the following campaign, he took part in the last Russian Super League final. Despite losing to Salavat Yulaev, Semyon wasn't to blame.

Has known Sergei Bobrovsky for a long time

At the 2014 Olympic Games, Semyon and Sergei Bobrovsky were Russia's main goaltenders, however in the past, they had played together for the Russian junior national team. They were a part of the Russian side which competed in the 2007 Super Series against Canada, and will again be looking to be a fearsome partnership this time around at the World Cup.

Is used to saving plenty of pucks

Colorado Avalanche generally give their opponents plenty of scoring chances, and Semyon regularly pulls off between 30 and 40 saves a game. That's pretty impressive, and his superb reactions have enabled him to become one of the NHL's elite goaltenders.

Beat Patrick Roy's record

It's not every day that you have the opportunity to break one of legendary goaltender Patrick Roy's records. In 2014, Semyon had the chance to set a new Colorado best for amount of goaltender victories in one season, and before that particular game against the Vancouver Canucks, Patrick Roy joked that he thought about not putting Semyon in net as to protect his record.

Semyon did eventually play, and he duly tallied up his record breaking victory.

Russian Ice Hockey Federation