these are some wholesome/funny ilya headcanons. I think his reputation/public perception from the hockey world in the GCU being so different to who he actually is is such a fun thing to explore like…yes he’s an asshole and a menace but he’s also so fun and sweet and silly goofy. Also I don’t think we hear enough about his years in boston so i like making up stuff to fill in those blanks. boston boy/ masshole ilya is very dear to me!!!!
he is a massive foodie! he has a list of places in every city that he loves and he enjoys exploring new coffee shops and restaurants. he also leaves in depth reviews for all of them. may even have a secret instagram account for his food reviews…
also he is not a food snob at all!! he has a favorite questionable hot dog stand and is loyal customer to the chinese place in his neighborhood despite it having a C health rating and multiple shut downs for rat infestations!!!
loves pitbulls and staffy’s (he follows several instagram account dedicated to them)
learned english by watching king of the hill and south park
sveta introduced him to reality tv and he became obsessed. he has watched almost every season of housewives and vanderpump rules. It’s his guilty pleasure cause he’s a messy bitch addicted to the drama.
has visited the russian turkish bath’s in NYC. (iykyk)
has the most INSANE dunkin’ order that is absolutely disgusting and nonsensical i’m talking a large iced americano with the maximum amount of espresso shots allowed plus 6 pumps of caramel and 2 pumps of sugar free hazelnut and 1 pump blueberry. no milk just espresso and flavored syrup
is a caffeine demon in general. (undiagnosed adhd king) like this man’s breakfast is a red bull and a cigarette
made truly HORRENDOUS fashion choices in the 2010s. like my man was putting together HEINOUS outfits. he regularly dressed like he was on jersey shore in 2011-2012 and was terrorizing every public event with the most gaudy versace suits. he probably wore a “come at me bro” tank top unironically.
insane digital footprint, like the second he discovered twitter mans was live tweeting his every thought. has been cancelled multiple times for old tweets💀 (nothing serious just him being a little shit)
is an extremely good tipper, he regularly leaves 100-200 dollar tips on the smallest checks. same with strip clubs, the strippers love him because he’s respectful and will tip $$$ without expecting anything in return.
hates country music but has a fascination with cowboys and the wild west. (he would love red dead redemption) bawled his eyes out watching brokeback mountain then begged shane to dress up as them for halloween (it only worked cause he looks too sexy in a cowboy hat for shane to say no)
knows a lot of random lore about american history. (do NOT ask him about boston’s great molasses flood!!!) additionally, when he first started traveling for games he would HAVE to check out each new place’s tourist attraction/and the history museums
before him and shane went public he had a reputation for being one of the guys in the league that was a confusing but supportive ally like i totally could see him posting a selfie with a random gay celebrity being like “such an honor to meet you #loveislove” (akin to when future posted that picture with elton john and put love is love in the caption)
is literally a boston crypdid, like this man is turning up in the most RANDOM places at all hours of the day/night. a fan will post a pic with him and be like “i met ilya rozanov at my 8 year old sister’s piano recital!?!?!” or “spotted ilya rozanov on my bus route today carrying a potted plant?!?”
has a unique ability to make friends with anyone and everyone, he is very good at remembering names and faces. When he thanks someone he thanks them using their name. (he makes a conscious effort to do so)