About
Igor Rabiner is a veteran sports columnist for Sport-Express with a career spanning nearly three decades, covering sports since 1994. He has reported from 10 Winter and Summer Olympic Games, seven FIFA World Cups, seven UEFA European Championships, ice hockey World Cups and World Championships, numerous UEFA Champions League finals, and major tennis tournaments. In 2018, he won the prestigious AIPS Sport Media Award for Best Column.
Rabiner has conducted exclusive interviews with legendary figures across multiple sports. In soccer, he has spoken with icons like Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer, Eusébio, Guus Hiddink, Andriy Shevchenko, Roberto Carlos, and Peter Shilton. His hockey interviews include Wayne Gretzky, Alex Ovechkin, Scotty Bowman, Phil Esposito, Pavel Datsyuk, Bob Clarke, Evgeny Malkin, Lou Lamoriello, and Pavel Bure. In tennis, he has interviewed stars such as Evgeny Kafelnikov, Marat Safin, and Daniil Medvedev, among others.
He was a regular contributor to the Russian edition of NHL.com (2016–2021) and is a contributor to the British soccer quarterly The Blizzard (2011–present). His stories have also been published in international outlets including The Guardian and The Hockey News. Igor Rabiner’s work is recognized globally for its depth, insight, and access to sports’ biggest personalities.
News by Igor Rabiner
“You Play Your Best Hockey When You’re Comfortable": Lars Eller on Returning to Washington, Ovechkin’s Legacy
Lars Eller discusses returning to the Capitals, playing alongside Ovechkin, and how Washington's evolving identity still makes them contenders
“A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity” – Dubois on Playing with Ovechkin, Chasing the Cup in Washington
Pierre-Luc Dubois shares his journey with the Capitals, the team’s success, and what it’s like playing alongside Alex Ovechkin
“I Never Thought It Would Be What It Is Today”: Ethen Frank's Journey with the Capitals, Playing With Ovechkin
Ethen Frank reflects on his unexpected NHL journey, playing alongside his idol Alex Ovechkin, and the excitement around hockey history in the making
"He’s As Intense As It Gets": Artem Zub Reflects on Brady Tkachuk’s Leadership, Stützle's Potential
Artem Zub opens up about Ottawa’s leadership, his tough practices with Tkachuk, and his battles against NHL superstars in this exclusive interview
Ilya Mikheyev Opens Up on Chicago, Playing With Bedard & Matthews, and The Canucks Drama
Ilya Mikheyev opens up about playing with Bedard, his respect for Maroon, & how Chicago is evolving under Sorensen
