Evgeni Nabokov struggled while playing goal for Russia in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, so he is glad to have been one of five netminders invited to Russia Olympic orientation camp.
But Nabokov, who re-signed with the New York Islanders this summer, said the 2014 Sochi Olympics in February aren't the only thing on his mind as he prepares for the season.
"Everyone understands that this is the year of the Olympics, and the Games are very important for the country," the 38-year-old said this week in an interview with R-Sport. "However, you should understand that playing for our own club is no less important. Moreover, one supplements the other here: If you play badly for the club, you will not get to the Olympics.
"Therefore, each of us thinks about playing the first club game and later we will think about the second game, and then, in February, we will think about the Olympics. Now we have to prove to the coaches that we deserve to play on the national team, and I can only do this with the help of [playing well] with the Islanders. Believe me, I will not be thinking 24/7 about the Olympics."