Russian forward Kirill Kaprizov spent only a season and a half in Minnesota, but managed to irrevocably fall in love with all local fans. Therefore, a careless photo on social networks with a hint of a player’s injury shocked fans. They were afraid they had lost their attacker!

Became a local favorite in a year and a half

Turning a hockey player who was selected only in the fifth round of the draft into an NHL superstar is a real stroke of luck, which fell to Minnesota. Fortunately for the “savages”, it was they who decided to draft Kaprizov in 2015. He became the first Russian hockey player in 12 years, who was chosen by Minnesota. There were not so many risks in such a draft, the main one being the reputation of Russian hockey players who are not so easily ready to leave Russia. And so it happened with Kaprizov: 5 long years passed from draft to signing, and two general managers changed at the club. Finally, current boss Bill Guerin was able to persuade the Russian to move, and the Wild were transformed.

Photo: © REUTERS / Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Kaprizov integrated into the Minnesota game instantly and won the best rookie award in his first season. In his second year, he broke every conceivable club record for goals and points, and worked hard in the playoffs. With his combative nature and charge on other people’s goals – unusual qualities for the Wild players – he captured the hearts of Minnesota fans. They do not have a soul in Kaprizov.

“Jesus, is our boyfriend okay?”

That is why a random photo on social networks, shared by the Moscow surgeon Aziz Zaripov from the European Medical Center, led the hockey fans of the “savages” into confusion. The doctor published a joint picture with Kaprizov, apparently taken in a medical facility, indicated in the signature all the regalia of the hockey player and ended with a brief parting word:

– I wish you a quick return to the ice!

The surgeon literally handed over Kaprizov, making public some kind of indisposition of the hockey player. For a year and a half in the NHL, the Russian has proven himself to be a strong fighter – during this time he was out of action only once, when he was firmly attached to the board by a Boston player. The break took only 6 days, the Russian managed to avoid a serious hand injury.

American fans who discovered the photo in the doctor’s profile immediately exploded with questions on social networks: what happened to the striker? At the farewell press conference before the holidays, Kaprizov was cheerful as usual and charged the atmosphere in the hall with his smile. Had he been suffering from an injury all this time?

Photo: © Denis Bushkovsky / Match TV

“Jesus, is our boyfriend okay?” – @aaronwold wrote under the photo repost on Twitter.

Dozens of other fans joined him with similar questions.

“You mean a leg transplant?”

The Athletic journalist Michael Russo had to explain himself. He called the surgical intervention that Kaprizov underwent insignificant. He clarified that the Russian will be ready for the season long before the start of the training camp. Upon learning that there was no reason to worry, the fans relaxed and began to joke on a hot topic:

“It looks like Zuccarello was removed from his hip,” suggested @NickTerhaar89, hinting at the close connection of these two hockey players on the ice.

“Kaprizov just had a little surgery on his back because he dragged the whole team to the playoffs,” @deast2004 scoffed.

“By minor, you mean a leg transplant?” asked @HidekiNishida2.

But some were not laughing – the fans were hungry for details.

– What does minor mean? asked @JaneMil75804247. – Wisdom tooth extraction? Or warts? Hernia treatment? Vision correction? At least hint!

Minnesota, which has been stuck in the first round of the playoffs for six years, can’t afford to lose the team’s best forward to injury. Or at least not have an accurate idea of ​​​​the state of his health, which is why the unexpected photo on social networks attracted so much attention.