MALKIN: DO NOT MAKE OVECHKIN OF ME

This week the regular NHL season is to start. Prior to this event one of the best Russian ice hockey players, forward of Pittsburg Evgeniy Malkin shares his plans for the season.


When Malkin arrived in NHL in 2006 he was very shy and despite great achievements he always stayed in shadows behind his peer Sydney Crosby and his coyness.

The Malkin of the autumn-2010 is completely different – he became a media star ready and eager to contact with the press.

"Nothing extraordinary has happened to me," said the forward. "There is no big news: no wife, no children. Though I had a very good holiday. Moreover, I trained well in August and am ready for the championship."

"I cannot say that I am worried about anything now but of course I want to start the season well at once not seeking the play during several matches. I want to make a strong start – to score a beautiful and an important goal from the first minutes, make an assist and win in the very first match. Hopefully it will come true."

"Do not worry that I am a winger in the line. Look at how Crosby plays. Nominally he is a centre forward but spends plenty of time in the corners, behind the goal. Partners stand by him in these episodes."

"This is the general system of our game and there is nothing tragic about my playing on the wing."

"But do not do an Ovechkin of me – I will never become a classical winger and will never shoot for a hundred times per game. I will remain myself!"

WHICH LEAGUE IS BETTER?

Yesterday a Russian club defeated an NHL club for the first time in twenty years when SKA outplayed Carolina Hurricanes 5:3.


SKA vs. Carolina – 5:3 (2:0, 1:3, 2:0)

Scorers: Panov, 1:0. Rybin, 2:0 – PP. Ruutu, 2:1. Dwyer, 2:2. Yashin, 3:2. Skinner, 3:3 – PP. Sushinsky, 4:3 – PP. Sushinsky, 5:3 – PP.

Goaltenders: Nabokov – Ward (Peters).

Three stars: Yashin (SKA), Sushinsky (SKA), Skinner (Carolina).

The star forward of SKA Alexey Yashin speaks about the anxiety with which people across the Atlantic experienced before the match.

"Many journalists called me, including those from New York and from the native for Carolina state, and asked me about the match," confessed Yashin.

"I offer you to concentrate only on ice hockey itself, without looking at great banners and headlines. For example, the game against Minnesota in Helsinki is much more important for Carolina, because it is a part of NHL regular season."

"I am against the desire to draw conclusions that the team that is to lose in the match represents the League where people cannot play hockey."

NABOKOV: CAROLINA FOUGHT AS IN NHL

The goalkeeper of SKA Evgeniy Nabokov and the forward Maxim Sushinsky comment on the performance of their team in the yesterday’s clash against the Hurricanes.


"Today was the first match in KHL when I saw really passionate and powerful support of our fans," said tired but happy Nabokov after the clash.

"On our home ice walls really helped us and SKA had a sixth player on the ice. Such manner of support is typical of NHL but it turned out that in Russia people could support in the same way."

"The importance of victory over Carolina? We were given an entire day-off, laughs the goalie. But we are not going enjoy this success for half a year."

"Though I think that for our team such a symbolic victory was important in order to unite feel self-confidence, feel that we are able of great achievements."

"Actually I expected that the NHL team would be ready to fight in any given moment. They were playing not in a pre-season manner at all."

"That is why never listen to analysts who will say that for Carolina it was only an exhibition game. They were combating as in a typical match of the NHL championship."

"At the moment Carolina can lament about anything – big sizes of the rink, new refereeing system, acclimatization," said the forward Maxim Sushinsky.

"But it will never call off the fact that our team was stronger than the NHL one. Especially in terms of technique. You all saw in what manner we scored the last, fifth goal."

SUMMANEN: JAGR’S PASSION HELPS AVANGARD

Avangard head coach Raimo Summanen is set to win the KHL championship with his team.


"I am ready to listen to people’s praising words only after victory in the final of play-off series", Summanen said to sport press. "I’ve never considered the second place as success".

"When Avangard managers offered me to head the team, our main target was clear as I was supposed to help the club return to the leading positions in the Russian league. In order to do it we just needed to reform the team before the season".

"It was even better that we began creating our team from the very beginning. When players went on vacations in spring, we were occupied by strengthening our squad. I always told our players during the trainings and trial matches that they should work fingers to the bone. We made good start of the season mainly thanks to their hard-work".

"Jaromir Jagr was doubtful about his future career in spring, while I needed his services. I am convinced that teams-champions can’t be formed without so top-class players like Jagr".

"And one more thing made me happy when the Czech star signed a new contract with us. I see inspiration in Jaromir’s eyes. He won the Olympic gold medals and Stanley Cup, but he also wants to win the title here in Russia. Ambitious teams urgently need such players. His passion helped his national team win the World Championship and now it helps Jagr be key figure in Avangard".

"Two years ago and last autumn I was ready to think over offers from KHL clubs, but those clubs chose other candidates. I don’t remember details of negotiations with Omsk team but I can say that after signing the contract I was the luckiest person in the world".

MOROZOV SET TO BREAK HIS RECORD

Ak Bars captain Alexey Morozov added one more achievement to his rich collection, as he scored the 200th goal in uniform of Kazan team in the match against Traktor.


"That evening was successful", Morozov said. "I managed to score my record goal and watch the Champions League game between Rubin and Barcelona".

"I have already missed one record goal in Minsk, where I scored the 250th goal in the Russian championship, but people told me about it the next day. After that I decided to pay more attention to statistics and I didn’t miss my record goal for Ak Bars".

"It’s pleasant to become the league’s record holder. Moreover I would be glad to break this record and reach the mark of 300 or 400 goals".

"All my goals are important for me, but most of all I remember the goal, which I scored in Gagarin Cup-2009 in crucial seventh match of the final series against Lokomotiv. Our team grabbed 1:0 victory and became the first champion in history of KHL".

CAJANEK: I SHOULD HAVE SCORED MORE GOALS

One of heroes of SKA vs. Spartak match Petr Cajanek, who scored two goals, answered sport press’ questions.


"The match was very important for us and for our opponents, so we were very happy that we won", Cajanek said. "Frankly speaking I didn’t think about our next match against Carolina, because the coming game is the most important for us".

"We created a lot of scoring chances and I could have scored approximately five goals. It’s good that we have scoring opportunities and I hope we will convert them into goals oftener".

"In hockey you can’t seal victories one by one easily. Hockey is always a fight and you need to prepare for the next clash".

"It’s pleasant that so many our fans came to the stadium to support us as it was great to play in so warm atmosphere. I know that matches against Spartak are special for our fans and I want to thank them for their support".

YASHIN: I AM HAPPY FOR SKA AND MY PARTNERS

One of the most popular Russian hockey players Alexey Yashin comments on the fact that he stays sidelined from SKA squad in recent matches.


The 37-year-old SKA leader was unexpectedly left in reserve in Monday away match against CSKA (4:3 SO). "You are better to ask coaches why I missed our two recent matches", Yashin said to sport press.

"I work hard during the trainings and fulfil my professional duties, and everything depends on the coaches’ decision".

"I understand everything, but according to conditions of my contract I have no right to comment on the decisions of the coaching staff. Moreover in this situation critics of coaches would be interpreted as a blow on SKA management".

"So let’s better talk about SKA’s latest achievements after we won in Riga and Moscow. For me it’s not so important whether I played or not, because my team won and it’s the main thing".

"I am happy for SKA and my partners. I suppose that I am still an important member of the Army team even now".

"I agree that beginning of the season was not very successful for us, but maybe only mass media waited perfect start from SKA. Players are in process of adaptation, as they learn to understand each other better. I am sure that we will improve our display during the championship".

ZHITNIK READY TO RETURN TO KHL

Defenceman Alexey Zhitnik could continue his career in KHL.


Former captain of Dynamo Moscow returned to the North America this summer, however he could move back to the Russian championship.

"North American clubs are not interested in age players", the 37-year-old player’s agent Mark Gandler said to sport press.

"That is why we wait for offers from KHL, but not from NHL. I think there are Russian clubs, which need to strengthen their defence".

DEMITRA SCORED HIS FIRST GOAL IN KHL

Lokomotiv star centre Pavol Demitra opened his scorers’ list in KHL in the match with SKA.


"First of all I used to think about making an assist to my partners, but not about scoring", Demitra said. "I used to play this way during the whole my career, and it’s impossible to change anything when I am 35".

"It’s always great to fire in a goal behind the league’s best goalkeeper. Evgeniy Nabokov played very well this time and saved SKA several times".

"SKA is one of the strongest teams in KHL and they have so many high-class players in the squad. But we showed real strength of Lokomotiv and that we can beat any other club of the league. Our team fully controlled the game, especially in the first and third periods".

"I get pleasure from playing in Lokomotiv. Atmosphere in the team is wonderful and everything is perfectly organized".

KOVALCHUK:There is nothing bad in SKA’s poor start of the season.

New Jersey forward Ilya Kovalchuk, who was hero of almost two-months summer saga concerning his contract with the NHL club, gave an interview to sport press.


"I tried not to think about summer problems with my contract", Kovalchuk said. "I was in Moscow at that time and I was concentrated on trainings and pre-season preparations. But in general I agree that this situation was unpleasant".

"I would like to say that assistance of New Jersey owner Jeff Vanderbeek and general manager Lou Lamoriello helped me a lot. They called me almost every day saying that everything would be all right and the league would approve my contract. I appreciate their help very much".

"I think that if you begin something, it’s necessary to finish this business. That is why I didn’t want to make harsh decisions and signed a contract with SKA".

"SKA was one of the most probable variants of continuing my career, if I failed to stay in New Jersey. I kept contact with Saint Petersburg club until the last moment and SKA management was interested in our cooperation".

"I am thankful to the president of the club and KHL Alexandr Medvedev who supported me in this tough situation".

"There is nothing bad in SKA’s poor start of the season, because they played only several matches. They forfeited their squad with new players, who need time to get used to each other".

"I feel that they are top-class players and the team has strong character. So I am sure that SKA will catch up with the other teams soon and restore their leading positions despite pressure from the side of journalists and fans".

"For example Ufa and Metallurg Magnitogorsk spend big sums of money for new players, however they are not so pressed by mass media. I want to wish good luck to SKA management and players"

KOSHECHKIN: I LIKE PLAYING HOCKEY

Severstal famous debutant Vasiliy Koshechkin comments on his team’s start of the KHL season.


Koshechkin made 28 saves and conceded only two goals from Torpedo in Severstal’s first home clash, but it didn’t help his team win as they suffered 1:2 defeat. He made four appearances in five matches that means that he replaced Slovakia’s Rastislav Stana as the first choice goalkeeper.

"I can’t judge who is our number one goalie, but I am happy that I have practice, just because I like playing hockey", Koshechkin told sport press. "I got fantastic feelings from Severstal matches!"

"We conceded five goals from Avangard, but I try not to focus on the failure and try to move forward. Avangard looked more powerful and that’s why they won".

"I don’t think that our fans won’t come to our home games because of our defeat in the first home clash, it seemed to me that our fans felt that we showed entertaining hockey and they supported us".

BYKOV BEATEN BY THE CZECHS AGAIN

Head coach of Salavat Yulaev Vyacheslav Bykov answered sport press questions after the lost match against Avangard.


Vyacheslav Bykov’s team suffered the first defeat in official games since the World Cup final in Cologne and again by the Czechs Jaromir Jagr and Roman Cervenka, as Salavat Yulaev lost to Avangard in a shootout series 4:5.

"Before the match we analyzed Avangard hockey and made several decisions", Bykov said. "As for Jaromir Jagr, he has been playing in Russia for several years, and our players perfectly know him".

"In general I understand journalist’ attention to the Czech players. After the World Championship they are in the center of people’s attention. By the way Salavat also has two Czechs – Jakub Klepis and Miroslav Blatak".

SUSHINSKY: JUST BE CALM

SKA captain Maxim Sushinsky tries to explain his team’s unsuccessful start of the season.


"One of the reasons of our unsuccessful start of the season is mass media, because there is too much negative around SKA", Sushinsky said to sport press. I" have a feeling that we are former CSKA, which got the best players for free and won twelve consecutive championships. Our team hasn’t won anything yet".

"People always pay more attention on big prosperous clubs and expect success from them, but I don’t see the same attitude to Omsk or Ufa for example. I try not to read reviews in Internet, but my partners discuss it and say that each our game causes a lot of comments. On the other hand, nobody can win Gagarin Cup on 21 September".

"We are a little bit concerned because we lost four matches out of six. We have very good team, and all players understand our problem and work hard".

"Absence of injured Petr Cajanek is a big loss for us, because we have been playing together for the second season and understand each other without any words. It’s clear that everybody is waiting for his comeback, but besides that leaders need to be calmer".

"I don’t understand what is the reason of journalists’ hate to SKA. We have never won anything, and suddenly became target for critics. Nobody kept us in mind when we were in background. Now when we are able to reach success, people criticize us severely".

"To my mind we just need to be calm".

BYKOV: OUR FANS LIKE OUR OFFENSIVE STYLE

Salavat Yulaev head coach Vyacheslav Bykov comments on his team’s bright start of the season.


Ufa club scored thirteen goals in two first matches of the season. "I think it’s record result in my career", Bykov said to sport press. "And of course so high efficiency makes me happy, but don’t forget that we conceded seven goals, that is too much".

"First of all I would like to praise our players, who perfectly prepared for the season. We introduced some changes to the team’s preparations and our tactical schemes, and from this point of view the final result satisfies us".

"I respect my colleagues, who achieve results thanks to defensive hockey, but on the other hand I understand our fans who pay money and come to the stadium not to see boring goalless draw. That is why we pay more attention to offensive hockey. It’s also important for us that our fans like it".

"As for my work in the national team, Igor Zakharkin and I are satisfied with our contract with the Russian Hockey Federation. Coaching job is very specific, as you need to prove your worth every year. We are ready for it and we agreed on the federation’s conditions".

"The gold is always the main option for us. Whatever we do we always keep in mind the coming Sochi Olympic Games".

PLATONOV: MY CLUB’S ACHIEVEMENTS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT

Metallurg Magnitogorsk’s Denis Platonov scored four goals in the match against Salavat Yulaev to head the list of KHL best scorers.


"I am not interested in my personal statistics, because my club’s achievements are more important", Platonov said. "I think we made one step in the right direction even though we suffered a loss in overtime".

"I don’t set the task to win the title of the league’s top scorer, since I repeat that my club’s success and Gagarin Cup are priority things for me".

"Many people criticized Metallurg after the first two games of the season, but you need to give us time for adaptation as we have new head coach Kari Heikkila. I promise that we will improve our results"

JAGR: I AM GLAD THAT CERVENKA SCORED TOO

One of KHL main stars Avangard forward Jaromir Jagr netted two goals in yesterday’s match against Severstal.


"I saw Kazakhstan team in action at Blinov’s tournament in Omsk", Jagr told sport press. "I know that it’s uneasy to play against them and they proved it by beating Barys away in the previous match".

"Our match could have been not so successful. The game was difficult, and I am happy that I managed to net my first goal this season".

"Our forwards played well, and I had a lot of unconverted scoring chances. I was glad that Roman Cervenka scored too, as I tried to assist him. We understand each other better than during pre-season preparations".

"I play both on powerplay and shorthanded, and it’s absolutely normal decision. When I was younger, I often played while shorthanded in NHL".

TIKHONOV: POPOV WAS HERO OF THE MATCH

Avangard assistant coach Vasiliy Tikhonov commented on the season’s opening match of his team, which is one of favorites of the Eastern Conference.


"It’s hard to start the season at home, because so many people came to the hockey arena to swatch their team playing, so we would be glad to play the first several matches away", Tikhonov said to sport press. "Moreover we had to battle with very dangerous club Spartak, which upset CSKA in their previous game".

"Spartak is well-organized team and we didn’t manage to escape mistakes, but I have no claims to our players. I think Avangard fans liked this match".

"Martin Skoula is well known figure in the world of hockey, and 800 matches played in NHL are his best characteristic. He is very stable player and he perfectly acts both on powerplay and shorthanded. His acquisition is serious reinforcement of our squad".

"Some people think that this defender was the best player of our match with Spartak, but I would name our forward Popov as the main hero, as he scored two goals".

"Jaromir Jagr was on a high in our pre-season tournaments, so we have no doubts that he will improve his play soon".

"As for Spartak’s star newcomer Dominik Hasek, I don’t think that he played his worst match. Frankly speaking, when I heard that he would join Spartak, I was skeptical about his age, however his performance proved that I was wrong. Hasek is in his peak form. We created a lot of scoring opportunities, but Hasek saved his team many times".

BARULIN: MAYBE I LACKED CONCENTRATION IN SHOOTOUT SERIES

Konstantin Barulin celebrated his return to Atlant from CSKA by a shut-out match against Torpedo.


"It’s pleasant to start the season with shut-out, and it’s a pity that my team didn’t win", Barulin said. "I don’t agree that the game was boring, because both teams played perfectly in attack. We haven’t converted a lot of chances, but it can be explained by the fact that we have many new players, who are getting used to each other and are afraid of making mistakes".

"I am not satisfied by my display in a shootout series, maybe I lacked concentration".

"CSKA offered me to sign the contract this summer, but the sum was not 4 million dollars for three years. I had a meeting with Sergey Nemchinov [CSKA head coach] who said: “We didn’t find common language with you during pre-season preparations, so we signed two other goalkeepers”. I was confused by these words, because he should have told me it earlier".

"I had offers from Astana, Minsk, Omsk, Nizhny Novgorod, but my wife was pregnant and I didn’t want to leave Moscow. That is why when I hear about Atlant variant, I didn’t think it over at all. I had played there before and fans know me well".

MOROZOV: DYNAMO PLAYED PERFECTLY

Poor performance of Ak Bars best link led by Alexey Morozov and Danis Zaripov became the main surprise of the KHL season’s first match in Kazan.


The captain of Ak Bars and Russian national team Alexey Morozov agreed to summarize the match in a short interview with sport press.

"We made awful start of the season, but agree with me that we don’t know how we will finish it", he said. "This match showed that we have enough room for improvement".

"Of course it’s bad that we lost, but we finally met with our fans who missed hockey. Unfortunately we didn’t manage to make them happy".

"Dynamo tried to keep 3:0 score after they scored the third goal, while we began attacking them as we had nothing to lose. Our goal gave us hope to save the match, but we failed to change the situation".

"Dynamo looked brilliant against us. We tried to do everything possible to win, because it’s the first match of the season. All teams open the season in different form, but our form next spring will be more important".

KHL: DYNAMO WINS THE OPENING CUP IN KAZAN

Dynamo Moscow outplayed Ak Bars 3:1 in the opening match of KHL regular season to grab the Opening Cup yesterday.


Ak Bars – Dynamo 1:3 (0:2, 0:1, 1:0)

Scorers: Balandin, 15:39 (0:1); Kolnik, 16:02 (0:2); Granak, 23:26 (0:3, PP); Pesonen, 46:06 (1:3)

Best players: Balandin (D); Strbak (D); Pesonen (A)

Dynamo looked complete and impressive, and their wise tactics for the match caused a lot of problems for the home side. Dynamo became the first club to win the KHL Opening Cup away.

"It’s unclear why we made so bad start", Ak Bars head coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov said. "We played better in the second and third periods, created good changes, but unfortunately scored only once. It was hard to fight back from 0:3".

MAREK: CSKA CAN REPEAT CZECH TEAM’S SUCCESS

Ahead of the new KHL season’s kick-off sport press keeps on making interviews with the league’s stars. One of the best foreigners in history of the league, the World champions-2010, Jan Marek, who swapped Metallurg Magnitogorsk for CSKA this summer, shares his expectations from the new season with the readers today.


"I had other offers besides CSKA in summer, but I needed new experience and my move to CSKA is a perfect challenge for me", Marek said. "Having talked to the head coach Sergey Nemchinov I understood that his team is interested in my services, and I liked it so much that I though only about their offer".

"CSKA can boast glorious history of the clubs and their rich victorious traditions. And what is more important is that my family approved my choice, that is why my agent and I decided to accept the Army men’s offer and sign a contract with this club".

"When I was a boy I was aware that CSKA is a great club which gathered the best players in the world. I liked this team, which sealed so many victories, but I couldn’t even imagine that I would wear a sweater with CSKA emblem some day. I am very happy that I play in the club with rich history".

"I cannot judge whether I am leader or not, but I like that CSKA management considers me to become one of the team’s leaders. I get much playing practice, that I used to get in Magnitogorsk and Czech national team, and I am hopeful that my career in Moscow club will be successful".

"I got injured during pre-season preparations, but I think that I have fully recovered. In any case it didn’t bother me during the Mayor Cup games. In general I think that this injury didn’t harm my pre-season trainings, because I began preparations when I was on holidays, but I haven’t reached my peak form yet".

"I used to be Metallurg’s leader in my first years in the team, but several specialists believe that the previous season was not the best one for me, however I don’t agree with this statement. To my mind I played all three seasons in Magnitogorsk on very high level and I always earned points".

"I don’t know why somebody didn’t like my display last year. Metallurg really didn’t fulfill the main task and people blamed the team’s leaders, including me. It offended me, but I don’t share this point of view".

"There is nothing impossible and HC MVD and Czech team proved it last season. Russia had perfect team at the World Championship in Germany, while we had only three NHLers in the squad and we won the champions’ title, not Russia".

"CSKA is also able to fight for Gagarin Cup this season. I like my current friendly team, and it’s important that all players should believe in success. If it happens, CSKA could perform well".

"I don’t know which teams will become the season’s favourites, because I saw several teams just several times or didn’t see at all. Let’s wait until the start of the championship, watch the first games and return to this issue after that. And I think we shouldn’t pay much attention to our opponents, as we need to work hard during our trainings and achieve positive result".

"I didn’t expect that I would be appointed as the team’s vice-captain and I won’t hide that it made me happy. I will try to prove by my performance that I will cope with responsibility".

KOZLOV: HASEK CAN BECOME SPARTAK LEADER

One of leaders of the Russian national team and Salavat Yulaev Viktor Kozlov spoke to sport press ahead of kick-off of the new KHL season.


"It’s hard to say which ice rinks are better for me, because I feel comfortable both on small rinks in NHL and bibber ice in KHL", Kozlov said. "I suppose that physically it’s more difficult to play on bigger rinks. On the other hand there is less danger for goalkeepers on European ice, so they are likely to vote for European format".

"I don’t agree that Alexandr Ovechkin plays better on smaller ice, as he is not so effective at World Championships than in NHL. He is dangerous everywhere. After long NHL season players need some time for adaptation and they often lack time for it in Europe".

"Unfortunately I missed most part of training camp because of injury after my return from NHL last year. So I wouldn’t compare pre-season preparations this year with the previous season, but I feel that we improve our play thanks to intense trainings and newcomers".

"I am very happy that Evgeniy Nabokov returned to Russia from NHL. We began our careers together at first in the junior national team, then in Dynamo and KHL. When I found out about his move to SKA, I called him and congratulated with it".

"To my mind Lokomotiv acquired a strong player Pavol Demitra, one of the most skilled players in the world. I think he will establish in KHL very quickly".

"Most of all I was impressed by Dominik Hasek. Frankly speaking people have almost forgotten about him, and suddenly the “Dominator” joined Spartak. It was the main surprise in KHL this summer".

"Believe me that his talent lets him play until he turns 50. If he isn’t bothered by injuries, he will become Spartak leader".

JAGR: IT’S ALWAYS DIFFICULT TO START

Avangard outstanding forward talked to sport press after his team beat Dynamo in Nizhny Novgorod.

"I had toothache before our departure to Nizhny Novgorod", Jagr said. "That is why I had to miss the opening match here. Now everything is all right".

"It’s always difficult to start the tournament, so at first it was hard to enter action. Moreover we train now, but not only play the games".

"For me it’s not important to score, because I want to help my team guarantee positive result and prepare for the KHL championship better, and this competition is part of our preparations".

"I don’t know what will happen in future, but I have a running contract with Avangard and when it expires I will think about what I will do next".

PLYUSCHEV: I AM SURE BOBKOV WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL IN KHL

Former head coach of the Russian hockey youth team Vladimir Plyuschev gives some his thoughts.


Outstanding Russian hockey coach talked about problem of departure of young talented players to the North America.

Metallurg Magnitogorsk goalkeeper Bobkov and Spartak forward Khokhlachev decided to leave Russian championship this summer, though Russian national team’s coaches were interested in their services.

"As for Bobkov, I perfectly know him as we worked together in youth and junior national teams", Plyuschev said. "Honestly I don’t understand why Metallurg coaches don’t trust him, while maybe he decided to leave Russia because of it".

"If I work in KHL now, I would do my best to invite Igor to my team and I am sure that his career would be successful. Bobkov has showed his high level of professionalism at Junior World Championship in 2009, where he has been voted the best goalkeeper, and our failing junior championship in Canada this winter".

"In order not to lose talented youngsters it’s necessary to work out special program of children’s education, like it’s practiced in Canada, North America and Sweden".

RIHA SUMS UP THE RESULTS OF THE TRAINING CAMP

The head coach of HC Spartak Moscow Milos Riha commented on the first training camp of his team.


"We have accomplished everything that we planned for these two weeks," stressed the Czech specialist. "The players did only tough work we paid no attention to tactics yet."

"I have no claims against anybody, everybody worked well. The only negative moment is the injury of Hasek who injured his finger."

"We decided not to put him on goal, he simply skated with the team. But in Moscow he will start proper trainings."

FASEL: SLOVAKS REFUSED DUE TO POLITICAL REASONS

The IOC vice-president, IIHF head Rene Fasel arrived in Moscow to participate in the international forum “Russia - Country of Sports”.


On Wednesday KHL announced that HC Lev of Poprad primarily introduced to the list of participants of the tournament would not be able to play in the league though the schedule was already published.

"Unfortunately I do not know all the information of what has happened," said Fasel. "This matter does not concern me directly and I think that all the questions should be forwarded to the Slovak Hockey Federation."

"IIHF allows clubs representing different federations participate in one tournament. In KHL besides Russian clubs there are Latvian, Kazakh and Belarusian. And in the Austrian league there is a Slovenian and a Hungarian clubs."

"And I do not know what were the requirements that the Slovak Federation put forward and that prevented HC Lev from entering KHL."

"Unfortunately we cannot forget politics here. Slovaks who have quite a strong national championship do not want to put up with the KHL moving in their country. After all it is impossible to include all their clubs to the league."

"Most important in this situation is to find a common platform for development of European hockey."

"Rome has not been built in one day. I always explain to Alexandr Medvedev that we have to move on slowly, step by step. People do not want to lose their positions that they achieved in other Leagues in Europe."

"Nevertheless it is always better to negotiate than rash to battle. Swedes, Czech, Finns, Swiss and Germans have their own strong leagues that attract a lot of interest. Several million people watch matches of these championships. That is why Europeans do not see serious reasons why they should join the new league."

"I cannot say whether it is good or bad but my experience shows me that we have to find a common strategy. And it is not easy."

CSKA WILL WELCOME DYNAMO AT MEGASPORT ARENA

HC CSKA president Vyacheslav Fetisov informed that KHL match between CSKA and Dynamo, which is scheduled for 3 January would take place at Megasport arena, but not at CSKA Ice Hockey Palace.


Hockey during New Year holidays is a special fest for all fans, Fetisov underlined in an interview to sport press. Derby between two popular Moscow clubs will attract full stands of supporters. I believe that CSKA will get modern arena very soon.

Megasport is situated very close to CSKA sport palace and I am sure that we won’t feel as guests there.

DEMITRA: IT WAS THE BEST DECISION FOR ME

Lokomotiv Yaroslavl’s Slovak newcomer Pavol Dimitra gave an interview to sport press yesterday.

Lokomotiv’s signing of Vancouver Games best scorer Pavol Demitra became the most significant even in KHL pre-season period.

"I wanted to try something new", Demitra told sport press. "Don’t think that I have no idea about KHL, because I watched its games last season. I wanted to watch my friend performance of my friend Marcel Hossa from Dynamo, and I liked what I saw".

"I liked that teams stick to attacking style and not only sit in defence. I also liked atmosphere created by the fans at the hockey arenas, and it made me think about moving to Russia".

"I got several offers and discussed them with my wife, but I made up my mind long ago. There are only two clubs in NHL where I would like to play – Rangers and Chicago, where my compatriots Haborik and Marian Hossa play".

"I didn’t manage to sign contracts with them, and decided to look at Lokomotiv offer. Negotiations process was very easy and I felt that it was the best solution for me".

SIMAKOV IN NEFTEKHIMIK

The forward Alexey Simakov signed a one-year deal with Neftekhimik.


Simakov has already played for the Nizhnekamsk club for four years (2002-2006) and in 211 games acquired 95 (38+57) points.

At the same time the forward Sergey Demagin cancelled the agreement with Neftekhimik by mutual consent.

BARULIN CAN RETURN TO ATLANT

The 25-year old goalkeeper Konstantin Barulin who played last two years in CSKA can return to Atlant.


The Moscow region club is ready to swap for Barulin the CSKA drafted defender Shestopalov.

According to the sports director of Atlant Ravil Iskhakov he had a conversation with the general manager of CSKA Sergey Nemchinov and they were close to agreement. At the same time CSKA calls this agreement quite unlikely.

MEDVEDEV: HC LEV IS ONLY BEGINNING

President of KHL Alexandr Medvedev comments on the inclusion of the Slovak HC Lev of Poprad to KHL season-2010/11.


"Well, the introduction of a club from Slovakia is an event for our league," said Medvedev. "We have worked a lot on this question and faced much resistance from different sides but nevertheless we managed to achieve the goal."

"I am sure after the Slovaks we will see clubs from other countries in the near future – if not in the Kontinental League itself than at least in the competitions among leading European clubs. So it is only beginning."

"At first we planned that HC Lev as a member of KHL is to be based in Czech Republic. And everything was ready to this but the Czech Hockey Federation did not allow Lev to participate in KHL."

"We could have started legal proceedings but we agreed with the Slovak Federation and I am thankful to them for their understanding."

"Those people saw what many others do not see – the way of development for hockey. Without integration European ice hockey is doomed to wretched existence."

... but nothing matches the thrill and challenge of having money on the line!

KHL Roundup

A brief roundup of some of the KHL news this Summer
by Rob McGregor
prohockeynews.com


MOSCOW, RUSSIA – Like much of the rest of the hockey world the Summer is proving to be a busy time for the KHL and its teams with changes to playing staff, prospective new teams and exciting new initiatives.


The KHL announced two pre-season exhibition games against NHL clubs in October. SKA St Petersburg host Carolina Hurricanes on October 4th, whilst Phoenix Coyotes travel to Latvia to face Dinamo Riga. This will be the first time Russian top flight clubs have faced an NHL opponent since 1990, when Montreal and Minnesota North Stars played eight games against teams from the old USSR Championship.

But unsurprisingly the big news of the summer has been on the playing front, with KHL clubs looking to strengthen their rosters. Thus far the two biggest moves have come in goal, where SKA St Petersburg have signed former San Jose netminder Evgeni Nabokov, whilst Spartak Moscow have opted to sign 45 year old Dominik Hasek!

Hasek, who has twice retired only to return to the game, had a successful season in his native Czech Republic last year and assured fans of the Moscow club he is feeling good going in to the new season.

More recently reports that Slovak star Pavol Demitra will be leaving Vancouver for the KHL have surfaced, joining Yaroslavl on a 1 year deal, whilst SKA St Petersburg are still hopeful their mega deal will attract hockey superstar Ilya Kovalchuk back to his homeland.

The next generation of KHL stars were selected in June at the KHL draft. Sibir selected former Slavia Praha juniors forward Dmitry Yashkin as the 1st overall pick, with teams hoping this year’s group of new youngsters can help propel their teams to a Gagarin Cup in the future.

The league is also making a big drive this season to reinforce the importance of top quality medical treatment and facilities for clubs and players. Moscow hosted a ‘Medical Support for the Major Hockey Leagues’ seminar recently, with the head of the KHL medical center, Nikolai Durmanov saying “Unfortunately, at many clubs the leadership has underestimated the role of medical support in modern sport, and this is a big problem. Hockey teams are built on players, and a player’s health is his biggest asset. Therefore, it is absolutely imperative that we elevate medicine to its rightful place among the main priorities in a hockey club’s core activities.”

There has often been criticism of the standards of medical care available at some top flight Russian games, and the initiative aims to bring levels up to what Durmanov decribed as ‘international standards’.

It matters more when there's money on it!

HC Lev do will play in 2010-11 KHL Championship

The Kontinental Hockey League, having earlier received HC Lev’s application, and having implemented a full inspection of the club’s infrastructure, and rendered help to the club in solving problems regarding financing and technical matters, officially announced that HK Lev (Hradec Králové) do will now appear in the KHL season 2010-11.

“We know how many Czech players were eager to play for the Lev team and appear in the Kontinental Hockey League. We know too how Czech hockey fans supported the idea of having a club in our League and hoped to see their team play live against clubs from the KHL, and see their legendary compatriots Jagomir Jagr and Dominik Hasek", have once said KHL President Alevander Medvedev.

Well, they are welcomed now!

A reminder: Lion, a club from Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, wanted to join the KHL for the upcoming 2010-2011 season, however the Czech Ice Hockey Association refused to let them, after that the team's management moved the club to Poprad, Slovakia. So the Lions will officially represents Poprad, Slovakia but their games will be played in Czech Republic at "Zimní stadion Hradec Králové" in Hradec Kralove.

BYKOV OFFERED TO STAY IN NATIONAL TEAM

The head coach of Salavat Yulaev and the Russian national ice hockey team Vyacheslav Bykov eyes his future in the team.


"Igor Zakharkin’s and my contracts are expiring in the middle of August," said Bykov. "But we have already received offers from the Russian Hockey Federation to continue our work with the national team."

"But it is formed now only generally. I presume that in the middle of July we will start our negotiations. The offer I got is on the one hand covers the entire Olympic cycle on the other hand it does not."

"I understand that this sounds rather vague but the nuances are to be discussed later during the official talks."

BURMISTROV: KHL – LEAGUE FOR GAFFERS

The newcomer of Atlanta, first Russian on the NHL June draft, Alexandr Burmistrov gave an interview to sport press.


Atlanta Thrashers start a new life – the team changed general manger, coaches and players. They have charted a course towards rejuvenation of the team. The only thing the management decided to retain of the old traditions – is to have one talented Russian in the roster.

Burmistrov is in the public eye at the moment and journalists often ask him about his attitude towards KHL. He put it absolutely clearly and named KHL a League for gaffers. Though there were rumours that these words were only a PR trick of his agent willing to raise his number on the draft.

"I have never told anyone that I hated KHL," wondered the 19-year old player. "You know what, my favourite player is Pavel Datsyuk and I think that I have the same senior moments as he has [during the World Championship Datsyuk avoided unpleasant questions saying that sometimes he has senior moments]."

"And I did not call KHL – league for pensioners. The journalists interpreted me in the wrong way. I just meant that KHL likes to invite players who have performed in NHL for many years and still want to earn money at sunset of their careers. Such players like Jagr."

"And I am a young player and all paths in NHL are unbarred for me and I made up my mind to play in NHL. This is what I tried to convey to the journalists."

"I cannot say that I was very much pressurized but some scouts and agents somehow mistrust Russian players. They are biased towards us as in the stories with Filatov and Radulov they think that any Russian can at once leave this League and return to KHL."

"And I am also leaving for Russia… to visit my parents and relatives. I will be training there and preparing for the season but I am not staying in KHL."

NABOKOV JOINED SKA!

One of the best goalkeepers in the world Evgeniy Nabokov signed a four-year contract with SKA yesterday.

KHL president and chairman of SKA board of directors Alexandr Medvedev commented on Nabokov’s move.

"Nabokov’s move to KHL is great event for SKA and the whole Russian hockey", Medvedev said to sport press. "Our country still remembers his wonderful play at the World Championship in Quebec. I have no doubts that he will be one of the main candidates to position of Russia’s first-choice goalie".

"Our agreement is designed for the whole Olympic cycle – four years, and we hope that Nabokov will play for the Russian team in Sochi".

"I hope that his decision to join us will influence Ilya Kovalchuk".

"We keep an eye on Russian players in NHL, so when it became known that San Jose decided not to extend contract with Nabokov, we informed Evgeniy that we wait for his return to KHL".

SKA INTERESTED IN KOVALCHUK AND NABOKOV

Yesterday it became known that SKA holds talks not only with Ilya Kovalchuk, but with one more NHL superstar Evgeniy Nabokov.


"Nabokov is really one of the candidates to a place of SKA first-choice goalkeeper", SKA general manager Andrey Tochitsky said to sport press. "Of course he has other offers from NHL".

"It’s hard to judge whether talks with Kovalchuk’s agent are close to finish. We discuss terms of the agreement, but it’s hard to say when they finish".

Meanwhile according to sport press information Ilya Kovalchuk is close to signing a contract with SKA.

BYKOV: RUSSIA WON SILVER, NOT LOST GOLD

The head coach of the Russian national ice hockey team Vyacheslav Bykov talked about the national squad after the World Championship-2010 in Cologne.


"I want to emphasize at once that we did not get silver medals of the World Championship but we won them with our sweat, blood and injuries."

"I disagree with those saying that our team came to Germany firstly to revenge on Canada and only secondary to win gold. We arrived to win gold. And not to satisfy the players’ own ambitions but to make our supporters happy."

"Let us remember the match against Czech Republic. First shift. What were your impressions – that we conceded a goal immediately because were not ready to fight?"

"And we have different feelings. Fyodorov wins the face-off, Semin rushes forward overtaking the defenseman but falls down and hits his head against the board. Fyodorov also falls down, either slips or the guard pushes him. Meanwhile Semin is lying because it hurts."

"Czechs start their counterattack and Alexandr moves to the bench to let another player help the team but he is a bit late to close down the Czech who scored."

"All this was overmotivation, the desire to jump down throat. And we cannot blame Alexandr Semin. He could have kept lying on the ice – staging though it was not a simulation. But he tried to crawl to help his teammates but was late."

"What was this? Accident? No, it is called sports. The Czechs took advantage of this situation. All honour to them!"

"It was pure Russian-Czech gambit so to say that usually ends up with 1:0, 2:1 scores."

"It was a purposeful decision to bring to Cologne as many Olympic players as possible. We wanted to give the players a chance to play, they had preference while composing the squad. That is why I spoke about Cologne as of “penal battalion”. In Vancouver we made a slip."

"As for Kovalchuk I think he managed the role of captain very well. Though young he is a very strong man. And he has developed a lot since the three years we meet in the national squad."

"I was amazed at his reaction on our first call after his New Jersey stumbled out of the NHL play-offs. Where and when should I come? – were his words. I think that this spring it was Ilya who set an example of respect to his native land. And the others followed his example."

"If I am to remain on the position of head coach till the next championship and Kovalchuk and Morozov are both in the roster I think Ilya will be captain. He is a representative of a new generation that is to pass on a baton. By the way Alexey and Ilya are friends and I do not expect any troubles with captain nomination to arise."

"It is pointless to judge our squad saying that people overestimate it or not. We chose the best to represent our country. But I think that we can be proud that our supporters want to see us only in the forefront."

"After a long break we have not only won bronze, two golds and a silver of the World Championships but our supporters again felt the taste of victories and demand perfectionism from us!"

RUSSIA LAYS DOWN CHAMPION’S CROWN

The Russian ice hockey national team surrendered to Czech Republic yesterday and failed to defend the world champion’s title.

IIHF World Championship.

Final

Russia vs. Czech Republiс – 1:2 (0:1, 0:1, 1:0)

Scorers: Klepis – 0:1. Rolinek – 2:0. Datsyuk – 2:1 (PP).

Probably the most motivated teams of the tournament met in the final of the world championship for Czechs desired not less than our players to whitewash after the Vancouver-2010.

Moreover it was the last chance for the superstar of the Czech team Jaromir Jagr to win a serious international title at the decline of his career.

The forward of Avangard expressed his wish to meet Russia in the final on Thursday when his team outplayed Finland in the quarterfinal shootout.

"I believe that we will compete with Russian for the golden medals here in Cologne," said Jagr. "Just because such a clash would have been a real hit of the tournament that has not happen for a long time already at the highest level."

The Czech team improved throughout the tournament from match to match. Moreover they did not experience any psychological tension for all specialists would bet Russia a winner.

For the Russian team the yesterday’s match was additionally principal, for it could have a decisive impact on the future of the coaching staff of our team. A lot has been said about the work of Bykov and Zakharkin and their contract expiring in August this year.

Russia started the final with an optimum squad. Semin returned after some rest to the team and Sushinsky on the contrary did not impress in the semifinal.

The head specialist of the national team on goalies Vladislav Tretyak explained why they gave the first choice goaltender of the team Varlamov a chance to rest during the semifinal clash: "Semyon complained on Friday that it is very difficult to play to such important matches in a row. And that is why Koshechkin appeared on Saturday and he would not let the team down."

Hardly had the game started as Russia conceded. Being very angry the Bykov’s team rushed forward and the Czech defence let more than the German the day before but the goalie of our opponents Tomas Vokoun displayed wonderfully.

Datsyuk scored a goal at the very end of the first period but it was disallowed by the referees after watching the record.

Our attack looked hopeless and moreover Ovechkin knocked down Fyodorov and left our team without a center forward.

But the last chances to equalize were wiped out by the referees who awarded Emelin a match penalty and left the Russian team shorthanded for five minutes. But the body check against Jagr was hardly enough for a simple two-minute penalty.

After five minutes of penalty killing Russians had no energy for the final onslaught. We even failed to net the puck at 6 against 3 combination. And the goal of Datsyuk with 36 seconds to play did not change anything.

Russia failed to win a single trophy in the Olympic year and defend the title of the world’s champions.

KOVALCHUK CONFIRMED ENDING OF THE BOYCOTT

The captain of the Russian national team Ilya Kovalchuk spoke to the sport press correspondent yesterday about the boycott against the press.


"I confirm that the boycott is over," said the player. "It was introduced because people should think what they are doing."

"When such videos are broadcast on federal channels it is just disrespect to the players. And that is why it all happened."

"One thing is yellow press but you should not show such things on channels accessible to everybody – children are watching it. What for is it done?"

"I do not think that our reaction was too tough. I only cannot perceive why people started to say that we turned our backs on the supporters. I cannot understand the connection between press and fans."

"We decided to stop the boycott because it is enough. We hope nothing of the kind will ever happen again and we will not have to behave we did."

MESSIER: WE CAME TO WIN GOLD

The head manager of the Canadian national team, six times Stanley Cup winner, Mark Messier gave an interview to sport press prior to the World Championship quarterfinal match between Canada and Russia.


"On Tuesday I was not upset it is not the right word. But I was naturally disappointed because of the loss to Czech Republic," said Messier. "And it is a normal feeling when a match is lost."

"I am satisfied with the selection I undertook. Understand me correctly: disappointment in the loss does not always mean disappointment in the game."

"For every player the World Championship is a wonderful opportunity to get unique experience, play different ice hockey compared to what they are used to. Now in the quarterfinals we are to play the strongest national team – Russian – and that brings in high level and great responsibility."

"While picking up players for the national team we had to take into account a lot of different factors. This year is special. I would say there is too much ice hockey in it. So it is quite natural that not everybody is striving to get to the Worlds Championship."

"But on the other hand in Canada there is a big choice of not only players but also of coaches and people doing managerial work. This makes it possible to gather a team ready to do work of highest difficulty."

"I think it was a right decision to send in Germany a young team. To some extent this is a guarantee of our future successes."

"We arrived at the tournament with desire to win golden medals as many other teams. I think that lack of experience cannot be an excuse for bad play."

"Such a match as against Russia is special in itself. It is a match where both teams are highly aimed at victory."

"To tell the truth our players are looking forward to the quarterfinals a lot because your national team – the one that arrived in Germany – is very strong. This match can become a special moment in ice hockey history."

BYKOV: OUR PLAYERS ARE FIERCE

The Russian national ice hockey team meets Canada today in the quarterfinal match of the IIHF World Championship.


"Any match against Canada is always a challenge for our team no matter what tournament it is," said the head coach of the Russian national team Vyacheslav Bykov.

"And the current championship is no exception. We did not choose our opponent, did our work and if the situation turned out this way this is fate."

"Well of course we can try and make some conclusions concerning the performance of the Canadian national team at the group stage. But you understand that a match against Russia is as big a challenge for them as for us."

"They are preparing very seriously to this match no matter how they played in the previous games. Those matches do not show what the opponent look like."

"They will try to play their hockey and neutralize our leading players. And I am not eager to open our trumps though I can say that our players are fierce."

"We will do our best to prepare for the match, to oppose the powerplay of the opponent [Canada has the highest percentage of PP goals at the tournament]."

"These figures show that though the squad of Canada is young they are very skillful and talented. But we have also done a lot of groundwork."

"In any case we should reinforce our play especially in defence. Probably there will be some changes in tactics."

RUSSIA CRASHES DENMARK AND ABASH JOURNALISTS

On Saturday the Russian national team outplayed Germany 3:2 and yesterday overwhelmed Danes 6:1 thus securing a spot in the play-offs in advance.


The correspondents of thirty Russian newspapers were shocked: after a victory over Denmark neither (!) of the Russian players stopped to talk to the press in the mixed zone.

They called Ovechkin, Koshechkin, Malkin and Gonchar so much awaited at the tournament. The stars who talked so much about their love to the country, supporters and the national team would not turn their heads.

Somebody told referring to Maxim Sushinsky that the national team was to set up a boycott. Against whom? What for?

Probably the team gave a silent treatment after a notorious video with the players smoking in the restaurants and refused to communicate with their country. They evidently are annoyed with only victories and decided to escalate the atmosphere.

The head coach of the Russian team Igor Zakharkin appeared rather nervous and started to answer questions of the press.

"I am ready to answer your questions concerning the game," said Zakharkin. "All other questions address to Bykov at the press conference."

"The newcomers played a wonderful match – Malkin, Gonchar and of course Datsyuk. When a team wins 6:1 there can be no complaints against anybody."

"Malkin successfully joined the combination of Datsyuk and Kovalchuk. Gonchar brought in stability. The goalie played wonderfully."

"All in all there was no tension in defence though the opponent was well organized. One of the incentives why the guys arrived here is to try and recover in one of the main tournaments of the year. The motivation is very high in the team."

"I am not ready to answer whether Sushinsky and Mozyakin will be only subs at the World Championship."

"In the next game the goalie will be most likely Semyon Varlamov. And the pair of goalies for the play-offs is likely to be as follows – Varlamov and Koshechkin."

"Denmark is not that opponent and that success we all waited for. This is all just working days for us. And that is why we do not look very happy."

The head coach of the national team Vyacheslav Bykov was very emotional talking about the boycott of his players.

"You do not understand what is going on, do you?" exclaimed Bykov. "But try to walk in the players’ shoes for one time who are being dragged through the mud ever since the Vancouver-2010."

"Everybody is flinging mud on them – all papers, all magazines! This was the decision of the team!"

"I do not know how long this boycott will take. But I promise that three players will appear in the mixed zone after every match in conformity with the regulations."

"Of course I will try to talk to the guys but I cannot promise to change anything."

BYKOV: I LIKED THIS GAME

Russian hockey team head coach Vyacheslav Bykov is satisfied with his team’s match against Belorus at the World Championships.


"I liked this match", Bykov said to begin press conference. "We had been playing well for two periods, but made several mistakes in the third one. In general I am satisfied with the game".

""Next we will play against Germany. They are strong rivals, who show dynamic hockey and who have several players able to lead the team to victory. So we will need to perfectly prepare for the match".

"I am not afraid that the whole stadium will support Germany. Local fans are always with their national team regardless their results. We hope that our compatriots will support us too".

After press conference Bykov talked to the Russian journalists too. "Evgeniy Malkin’s club finished playing in NHL yesterday", he said. "We are ready to talk to all our players, and if Malkin wants to join us in Cologne, we will surely give him this opportunity. We have right to add new players to the roster one hour before the game. On Friday Pavel Datsyuk will come to Cologne, but he won’t take part in our training".

JAGR WILL STAY IN OMSK

Czech forward Jaromir Jagr has extended his contract with HC Avangard.


Yesterday Avangard general manager Anatoliy Bardin announced extension of Jagr’s contract with the club at special press conference.

"We will unveil all details of the contract ahead of kick-off of new season", he said. "We agreed with Jagr that we would make joint announcement".

"I would say only that terms of the new contract have been reviewed to reduction side, but it’s common practice for us".

"There couldn’t be other decision, because Avangard’s loss in play-off first round was a real catastrophe for us".

Moreover Avangard will part with Canadian forward Eric Perrin, goalkeeper Evgeniy Tsaregorodtsev and forward Jakub Klepis.

BYKOV WORRIED FOR RADULOV

The head coach of the Russian hockey team Vyacheslav Bykov commented on recent news of his team ahead of the Swedish Games match against Finland.


Yesterday Russian team made for Helsinki, where they will come up against Finland in Swedish Games clash today.

Russia’s coaches didn’t take one of the main KHL stars – Salavat Yulaev forward Alexandr Radulov – because of ankle injury. Meanwhile he is said to miss not only Euro Hockey Tour games in Sweden, but the World Championship in Germany too.

"I won’t hide that the national team’s coaching staff is worried about situation with Radulov’s injury", Vyacheslav Bykov said to sport press. "Unfortunately nobody is secured from injures, and we are concerned about all our players’ form".

"Our doctors are taking care of Radulov, and he is advised to have rest for minimum four days. But his mindset and his desire to help us and doctors’ predictions lets us count that situation will be improved by the start of the World championship on 7 May".

Several hours before this interview Phoenics of Ilya Bryzgalov slipped out of NHL play-offs. "We are waiting for our goalie in the national team", Bykov commented. "We hope that one of the most valuable players of NHL championship will rehabilitate after painful loss in the series with Detroit".

"President of the Russian Hockey Federation Vladislav Tretyak is responsible for work with our goalkeepers. We are likely to call Bryzgalov on Thursday or Friday".

Ilya Kovalchuk said that he had made decision to play for the national team in Germany. "Ilya is gentleman", said Bykov. "He expressed his desire to help his national team at the World championships during the season and he kept his word as real patriot of his country".

RUSSIAN COACHES UNVEIL THE SQUAD FOR SWEDISH GAMES

Coaches of the Russian hockey national team determined list of players who will take part in Swedish Games.


Yesterday the list of players was published at the official web site of the Russian Hockey Federation. This list includes following players:

Goalkeepers – Koshechkin, Khudobin, Eremenko;

Defencemen – Kulikov, Atyushov, Korneev, Kulyash, Kalinin, Denisov, Ryasensky, Belov;

Forwards – Afinogenov, Kulemin, Artykhin, Anisimov, Tarasenko, Lisin, Gorovikov, Sushinsky, S.Fyodorov, Kozlov, Radulov, Mozyakin, Svitov, Saprykin, Grigorenko.

Thus Vyacheslav Bykov and Igor Zakharkin rejected services of two CSKA forwards Filatov and Parshin after two friendly matches in Italy. Besides they took aside forwards Skachkov, Rybin, Krysanov, Varnakov, defencemen Vorobyev and Biryukov and goalkeeper Bobrovsky.

The national team squad was strengthened by Sergey Fedorov, Sushinsky, Viktor Kozlov, Grigorenko, Radulov, Mozyakin and three NHL players Afinogenov, Kulemin and Lisin.

The Swedish Games will kick off on Thursday.