There’s the teammates. There’s the smaller ice surface. There’s the quality of play, the coaching, the officiating.
And don’t forget the new city in a new country while trying to learn a new language.
That’s a lot of adjusting for Vadim Shipachyov. The 30-year-old center from St. Petersburg, Russia, is continuing his career half a world away in Las Vegas as an NHL rookie with the Golden Knights. He’s had a lot thrown at him, but he’s proving to be a quick learner.
“It’s been good so far,” he said through an interpreter. “I’m very happy here.