PLYUSCHEV SET TO WIN THE GOLD IN CANADA

Head coach of Russian youth hockey team Vladimir Plyuschev talks about preparation for the World Championships.

The national team’s youngsters are now preparing in Novogorsk for the World Championships, which will kick off on 26 December in Canada. The head coach Vladimir Plyuschev shared his views on the team’s readiness.

"Hockey has changed considerably during several past years", said Plyuschev. "Our players always try to keep the puck in hope to score, but Canadians won’t let us do it and that is why it’s necessary to reorganize our tactics".

"We will make the final decision on goalkeepers later. We will take only two of them to Canada on 19 December, while in general we will take 22 players".

"One goalkeeper Sadikov and four in-field players will join us there, The final roster will be announced after the trial match against Latvia in the North America. It’s a pity that we didn’t have the full squad in Novogorsk".

23 players took part in the training session yesterday. CSKA forwards Filatov and Kulemin arrived to the training base in the afternoon.

"We lack only those players, who play in Canada – Burmistrov, Telegin, Ostapchuk, Kugryshev", mentioned Plyuschev. "Only Kostromitin joined us from the North America".

"The Russian Hockey Federation holds talks with AHL clubs of Voynov and Grachev".

"This situation surprises me a lot because I can’t understand how they can deprive people of an opportunity to participate in prestigious tournament".

"I understand situation of Kulikov, who has regular practice in Florida in NHL, but I have no idea about problems of other players. I face these things for the first time in my coaching career".

"I said at the meeting of federation’s executive committee in August that we set the task to win the gold in Canada, though I know it will be difficult to do it. Sweden and America could also compete for the first place, and I think that we shouldn’t underestimate Finland and Czech Republic".