Malkin reveals childhood essay where he talks about hockey 'abroad' and his plans for when he's famous

It seems at a very early age, Evgeni Malkin knew he was destined to become a great hockey player. However, not everything turned out exactly as planned.

The former 2nd overall draft pick, who has spent his entire NHL career with the Pittsburgh Penguins, posted an essay he wrote as a child on his Instagram account entitled "My Dream." While it is clear he wanted to play in the NHL, it wasn't for Pittsburgh.

"My most cherished dream is to become a famous hockey player, play well and get my name in the paper," wrote young Malkin. "Another dream of mine is to play abroad. My favourite team is the Detroit Red Wings. I want to have a car, a nice house and a loving family. I am not allowed to get a dog here, but I would get a nice dog overseas."

He accomplished pretty much everything he set out to do, except playing for the Red Wings of course. However, it shouldn't be surprising that Malkin grew up following Detroit given the huge Russian names the team has had on its roster throughout the years. There's also the famed "Russian Five" which played for the Red Wings when Malking was a young child; Sergei Fedorov, Vladimir Konstantinov, Slava Kozlov, Slava Fetisov, and Igor Larionov.


"I would like to remain a captain, as I am now," continued the young Malkin. "To travel to other cities, to see the world, how other people live, their activities. First of all, as soon as I get abroad, I'll run to McDonald's."

The first McDonald's opened in Russian on January 31st, 1990 in Moscow. Malkin would have been four years old. Nowadays, the country has plenty of the fast-food restaurants.

"I want to have the strongest team. It will have a symbol - a wing. It's probably a very big dream, but why not try," said Malkin to close his essay.

Why not try, indeed.

Malkin has yet to play this season as he rehabs a knee injury. Barring any setbacks, he should be back in the Penguins' lineup in early December.