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.