The Suite Life of Yak & Svech: From Total Strangers to Fast Friends

It all started with an Instagram message.

When Nashville Predators forward Yakov Trenin learned that Fedor Svechkov, a fellow Russian and Nashville's first-round pick (19th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft, planned to spend the summer in the United States to prepare for his first professional season in North America, he felt compelled to reach out.

"[He wrote to me] on Instagram, 'I've got a house here, so we can live together and I can show you some places in Nashville,'" Svechkov said. "I had a good meeting with staff and different guys, and they said that it's a good idea [to stay with Trenin for the summer] because I don't know the city, I don't know the country, and I don't know the guys."

The rest, as they say, is history. Trenin and his wife, Valeriia, welcomed Svechkov and his wife, Estella, into their home - and their life in North America- with open arms. Despite meeting for the first time just over a month ago, the four have since been inseparable, attending the Beyoncé and Ed Sheeran concerts at Nissan Stadium, playing tennis, visiting the Nashville Zoo and walking around Broadway.

"But only during the day," Svechkov said with a smile.

"It's a really fun city," he said. "For a hockey player, it's good weather… and I'm really excited to play my first game here."

Svechkov, who signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Nashville on May 5, split the 2022-23 season between three leagues in Russia and had been training with the Predators AHL affiliate in Milwaukee for several weeks before arriving in Nashville last month. In addition to getting to know several of his future teammates, he was also able to get some valuable face time with the Admirals coaches and staff and acclimate to playing in North America.

"I think it was a good experience for me," Svechkov said. "It was my first time [with an] American team. I was here [before] with the Russian team but not with American guys, and it's really interesting when you talk only in English."

Spending the summer in Nashville has also allowed Svechkov the opportunity to skate and train with Trenin and other Predators players who have been in town, including Dante Fabbro, Colton Sissons, Filip Forsberg and Roman Josi.

"I am happy to know these guys because they're NHL players and big stars in this league," Svechkov said. "Before, I was just watching highlights of Nashville, so it's good for me to know these guys."

Taking Svechkov under his wing for his first summer in Nashville has been somewhat of a nostalgic experience for Trenin, causing him to reflect on how far he himself has come since arriving in Music City just a few short years ago. He recalls feeling overwhelmed and intimidated during his own first season playing in North America, going straight from hotels to practices and games and focusing strictly on hockey when he didn't feel comfortable with the language or the culture.

Now a seasoned pro, Trenin is proficient in English and even helped translate for Nashville's Russian goaltending prospect Yaroslav Askarov when he spoke to the media following his NHL debut in January.

"[I learned by] talking more to teammates," he said. "I would watch some TV shows, go to concerts and listen to country [music]."

Trenin has since blossomed from a novice into a mentor, an example for a young Russian player like Svechkov as he embarks on the next chapter of his career. Svechkov, who will likely begin the 2023-24 season in Milwaukee, will attend his first rookie camp for the Predators in September. In the meantime, he will look to keep learning from Trenin as he sets his sights on a roster spot in Nashville.

"It's really important for me because it's my first rookie camp, and I need to show my best side," Svechkov said. "I need to be ready in September."