All-Star Game head coaches Igor Nikitin, Jukka Jalonen, Galym Mambetaliyev and Andrei Nazarov spoke to KHL.ru about their expectations of the forthcoming week of Hockey Stars in Astana, having women TV presenters as assistant coaches, and why they might brick up the goals during the All-Star Game. From January 10 to 14, the Kazakhstan capital is hosting the biggest hockey show of the season: the Week of Hockey Stars. The best players from the Women's and Youth Hockey Leagues have already graced the ice at the Barys Arena, and at the weekend the finest players from the KHL get their chance to show their skills. We sought the views of the bosses – the four coaches of the Division teams which will contest the 2018 All-Star Game.
Nikitin: “Throw a bottle? I had already mastered that in my school days.”
- Of course, I am honored that I was chosen to participate in such a match. I wouldn't say that I felt any particular emotion on getting the call, but it's a tough time of the season with many crucial matches, so I hope the All-Star Game will be an entertaining diversion.
- Will you try to conjure up a surprise or two for your opponents in the All-Star Game, or maybe in the Master Show?
- Up to now I've been busy trying to concoct surprises for our opponents in the regular season, and of course, I don't have any All-Star Game experience on which to draw. When we get together in Astana, I'll have to consult the others in the team, many of whom are no strangers to producing surprises at such events.
- Have you watched any of the previous All-Star Games?
- To be honest, no, because if I ever get a free moment I use it to switch off from hockey and to let my emotions settle a little, so that any new ideas which occur to me will stay clear in my mind.
- You have been to Astana many times, of course, so what are your impressions?
- My impressons of the place are very positive. I know many people in Astana, and my godson lives there. They are all looking forward to the event, and of course, they will all come along to cheer us on.
“I don't have any All-Star Game experience, so I'll have to consult the others in the team, many of whom are no strangers to producing surprises at such events.”
- Throwing bottles? I had already mastered that in my school days, so I would have the advantage of experience.
- Any thoughts on the appointment of Sonia Gudim as your assistant?
- Inviting the women was a good idea, and I don't think it's been done before, but it means I'll have to censor my speech a little on the bench (laughs).
- Which of the coaching duties will you delegate to her?
- All of them at once. Why not? I've worked several as an assistant coach myself.
Jalonen: “Natalia Clark is my first ever female assistant.”
Jukka Jalonen
Jukka Jalonen (Jokerit), Bobrov Division head coach:
- It's a big honor to have been invited to the All-Star Game, regardless of whether you're a coach or a player. It's a sign that we at Jokerit are doing a good job and gettings right out on the ice. The trip to Astana is a reward for that and I appreciate it. I have been at two previous KHL All-Star Games, in Chelyabinsk and in Bratislava, and I really like the relaxed and joyful atmosphere at these events, and the finest players are taking part. The stars want to score goals and show what they can do. It's a great weekend, and a special time in the middle of a long and tough regular season.
At my two previous All-Star Games, it was always 5-on-5, so it will be interesting to see how this new 3-on-3 format works out. The players are taking the upcoming games very seriously, and we could see a lot of 1-on-1 breaks or a lot of swift counter-attacks.
“I have coached Ilya Kovalchuk and Dmitry Kalinin before, and now I'm Sami Lepisto's coach. They were all captains or alternate captains in my teams.”
To start off, I want to talk to the players and ask them how they want to play. I know the matches will bring a lot of fun and the fans will enjoy the spectacle. As for me, as a coach, the game will give me a bit more pleasure if the players want to fight for victory. I hope they will battle hard. I have coached Ilya Kovalchuk and Dmitry Kalinin before, and now I'm Sami Lepisto's coach. They were all captains or alternate captains in my teams, so as you can see, I already have a few leaders and I'm sure they'll have something to say about our tactics. What do I think of having women TV presenters assisting the coaches? Natalia Clark will be my first ever female assistant, so for me it will be fascinating. We'll get together and discuss the roles we'll play on the bench, and I'm sure she'll also have some ideas. She will definitely be involved, because we are used to having two assistants for each All-Star Game team, so between us, Natalia and I will have to do the work of three coaches.
Mambetaliyev: “How can we stop Mozyakin? Build a brick wall across the goal.”
Galym Mambetaliyev
Galym Mambetaliyev (Barys), Chernyshev Division head coach:
- Galym Mambetaliyev, is this a wonderful start to the new year for you?
- It's 50-50. A wonderful start would be when everything is going fine, but Barys is now in a difficult phase. Of course, being appointed by the KHL to take charge of the Chernyshev Division team was a surprise for everyone, and I thank them for showing such faith in me. I will try to make a valuable contribution to this big festival of hockey in Astana.
- Did you ever dream you would be in such a situation?
- Everyone dreams, but personally I never entertained the idea that I would serve as a head coach at the All-Star Game. I didn't make any wishes under the clock, or burn any papers to sprinkle the ashes in the champagne (smiles).
- Who told you of the appointment?
- The first I heard was from Barys Vice-President Boris Ivanishchev, and then it was confirmed by Club President Askar Shopabayev. They congratulated me and reminded me of the responsibility I now had on my shoulders. I must not let anyone down, as it is the first time the All-Star Game has featured a coach from Kazakhstan. At first I was a little dazed and confused, but the club management gave me great support and said I have to be bold, and they're right, because I am not exactly a newcomer to hockey.
“How can we stop Mozyakin? Put up barriers around the slot and a pile of bricks across the goal, then pour cement... Only joking. We'll tackle that problem during the game.”
- I expect us to create a real festival of hockey for all who love the game. I expect the players will be competitive, and that, without the pressure of the Championship, will enjoy all that's going on and will produce attractive, entertaining and high-scoring games. You know, all hockey players love themselves, and the All-Star Game lets them show off their skills, their most attractive moves, and their best shots, as it's not always possible to do this during the championship where they have less freedom. As for me, personally, it's a welcome gift and a valuable experience I can take into the future. I would like to thank the KHL for granting me this opportunity.
- The rosters have been known for some time. Have you decided who will play with whom?
- Thre are very good players in our roster and it will be a pleasure working with them, Yes, I have made a few plans, but why would I show my hand?
- What do you think of the idea of having women TV presenters assisting the coaches?
- It will be interesting, because women have a special logic and way of thinking, so because of this experiment we might learn something new. Daria Mironova will also be a great help to me as an interpreter, because I don't speak English, and as for her preferred coaching philosophy, the carrot and stick, well, we are obviously two of a kind. We'll be a good team.
“I must not let anyone down, as it is the first time the All-Star Game has had a coach from Kazakhstan. The Barys management gave me great support and said I must be bold.”
- What kind of punishment awaits any player who loses in a personal duel with an opponent? - I doubt that will happen, but if it did, we'd examine the situation and let the captain decide. Maybe the offender will have to collect and carry the sticks and pucks back to the locker room after the pre-match skate.
- How will you stop Sergei Mozyakin from scoring?
- We'll put up barriers around the slot and a pile of bricks across the goal, then pour cement (smiles)... Only joking. We'll tackle that problem during the game. It's generally better to play so well that Mozyakin himself is wondering how he can help out in defense and try to stop our forwards.
- Which of the previous All-Star Games did you enjoy the most?
- Last season's, in Ufa, when they updated the format to have two inter-conference semi-finals and then an East-versus-West final. The event became more interesting, more competitive, and I liked the idea of having the four best young players in the Challenge Cup being given a chance to play alongside the KHL's finest stars. It's a great honor for the youngsters, great motivation, and most of all, it's an investment in the future.
Nazarov: Me in the Shootout? I'd be worried I might make a fool of myself.”
Andrei Nazarov
Andrei Nazarov (Neftekhimik), Kharlamov Division head coach:
- To appear in the all-Star Game as a head coach is undoubtedly an honor, and our mission is to delight the fans by producing beautiful hockey. Pleasing the fans comes first. As for me, I regard Kazakhstan as my second home, and I've said many times that Astana is my favourite place on Earth after Chelyabinsk. I hope the Kazakh fans remember me and will give me a warm reception.
I see Astana as the capital of all Asia, a city which is attracting huge investment from all points of the compass, as we can see in the way the city is developing, and I'm sure the organization of the All-Star Game will be of the highest level.
“My assistant, Maria Bass, will show her planned tactical formations to the players during the game and explain her strategy.”
What do I think of the idea of having women TV presenters as assistant coaches? Well, it will be very interesting. I will try to behave in a purely professional manner. Sex discrimination in hockey? No chance! It's the All-Star Game, it's for everyone, and everyone will be smiling. And as for what the women wear, that's up to them. My assistant, Maria Bass, will draw up our planned tactical formations. I already have it all worked out: she'll show her diagrams to the players during the game and explain the strategy, and I'll say whether it's a good or bad move.As for contests between the coaches, well, for example, if the want me to take part in the Shootout, then I don't know. I'd be worried I might make a fool of myself (smiles), but I'd have no problem with joining in the suggested contest in which we each throw a plastic bottle from the bench, providing they repay the fine they imposed on me for doing that three years ago (laughs).
Getting a KKKKick out of it! A quartet of special Ks did the business for Team Tarasov in the gold-medal game. Two goals apiece for Kagarlitsky and Kovalenko, one for Kirill Kaprizov (plus three assists for the CSKA man) and further helpers from Kronwall and Kozun saw the Western Conference team to a hard-fought 5-4 victory over Team Chernyshev. The league’s Easternmost Division did everything it could to retain its title, but goals from local hero Kevin Dallman, Avangard duo Yegor Martynov and Evgeny Medvedev and Salavat forward Linus Omark were not enough to save the game.
Sorokin stars in shoot-outs
Exhibition hockey? Not much at stake? Yeah, right! It’s only the second year of this four-team, Division vs Division format, but it’s clearly captured the imagination of the players. And nothing showed that more powerfully than the two semi-finals – with both games going to shoot-outs.
Nikita Gusev (SKA), might count himself the unluckiest player of the competition. He got a hat-trick for Team Bobrov, but still finished on the losing side. Regulation finished in a frantic 5-5 tie with the Chernyshev Division, and shoot-out goals from Astana’s own Nigel Dawes and Admiral’s Vladimir Tkachyov sealed the win for the defending champion.
Special Ks give Team Tarasov the gold The main event – the inter-divisional contest – saw a repeat of last year’s final. But Team Chernyshev could not repeat its victory in Ufa, losing out 5-4 to Team Tarasov. Two goals apiece for Kagarlitsky and Kovalenko, plus one for Kirill Kaprizov, proved that Tarasov’s K-force had the Killer Kombinations in Kazakhstan. Maybe that’s why we call it the ‘K’HL?
A year after Andrei Altybarmakyan delivered a game-winning goal after being called up from the Youth Hockey League for the big occasion, Nikolai Kovalenko of Loko was the man to make the big impact from the juniors.
Nikolai Kovalenko
The bronze-medal game went to Team Kharlamov after an 8-4 victory over Team Bobrov. Not surprisingly, perhaps, all-time All-Star top scorer Sergei Mozyakin was among the goals again, with two more in that game.
A woman’s touch
One of the unique features of this year’s All-Star action was the inclusion of four women as assistant coaches for the teams. A quartet of respected broadcasters, Natalia Klark (Bobrov), Sonia Gudim (Tarasov), Daria Mironova (Chernyshev) and Maria Bass (Kharlamov) struck a blow for equality behind the benches – and had a blast!
Daria Mironova: “My coaching philosophy? The carrot-and-stick method!”
Daria Mironova
Gudim collected a gold medal alongside CSKA’s Igor Nikitin, and was thrilled with the whole experience: “Every time I went to the bench, I couldn’t quite believe this was happening to me,” she told KHL.ru. “Even after the Master Show on Saturday, I couldn’t really imagine it. But suddenly I was there, I was a coach. It was just unbelievable.”
Sonia Gudim: "Women love hockey because it has passion, energy and emotion!
Sonia Gudim
For Bass, working with the supposedly volatile Andrei Nazarov was no bother. “He was great, very professional and so laid back. Yes, really laid back! We had a happy, friendly locker room and we created a lovely little atmosphere there.”
Maria Bass: “Nazarov shouts? Then we are two of a kind!”
Maria Bass
Natalia Klark: Znarok and I can make any team a champion
Natalia Klark
Superstars and superheroes
You’ve seen Superman, but Saturday introduced Sochi-man to the world. Pavel Padakin, star of the Black Sea team, donned the cape and tights in honor of his city.
“I want to be clear about this, guys,” he told the press. “This is Sochi-man, not Superman. Two completely different heroes.” While finding an outfit was easy enough as Russia’s New Year festivities continued, squeezing into it with all his hockey gear on meant there were some very tight tights involved. “I found it and ordered it right away, but it turned out to be a bit of a squeeze.”
Pavel Padakin
For Dmitry Kagarlitsky (Severstal, Tarasov), Russian TV commentator Dmitry Guberniev – the voice of international sports coverage in Russia – was the inspiration at the Master-Show. “I fancied having a go at commentating, and decided to channel Guberniev,” the forward said. “I think it worked. I shouted like Guberniev, and Nikita Nesterov won his event!” Kagarlitsky wasn’t the only player to join the media – Avtomobilist’s Nikita Tryamkin took over the camera on the Kharlamov bench, while Sonia Gudim reckoned that Nesterov might have the best prospects of a future as a vlogger.
Nikita Tryamkin
The week’s action in Astana was not all about the KHL. Thursday saw the Youth Hockey League play its annual Challenge Cup game, pitching the Western Conference against the East. And, just like last year, the best players would get a chance to join up with the big league and play in Sunday’s showdown.
It wasn’t just behind the bench that women’s hockey made an impact in Astana. The best players of Russia’s Women’s Hockey League also played their All-Star Game here – and the Eastern teams came out on top.
Olga Sosina, of Adigel Ufa and Team East, got the winning goal in the game – and then came the dance-off. You can pick your own winner from that by checking out the videos.
Official Approval
IIHF President Rene Fasel was the guest of honor in Astana, and he was delighted to be part of a big event in Kazakhstan – despite the freezing winter weather! “I saw lots of happy fans, and Astana made all that happen,” he said. “The players enjoyed themselves and I was delighted to be here. The weather was an interesting experience as well – I’m not used to -29C!”
Dmitry Kagarlitsky, Dmitry Chernyshenko, Asset Issekeshev, René Fasel, Andrei Markov
Aset Isekeshev, mayor of Astana, was delighted to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his city becoming Kazakhstan’s capital by marking the 10th season of the KHL. “Barys has been a big contributor to the league from day one and we are creating a real hockey movement here,” he said. “Lots of people have started following the game and events like this provide the impulse to develop even further.”
Keeping order on the ice were 13 officials, including 4 women who refereed both the WHL All-Star Game and the KHL Master Show.
The 8 teams were led by a total of 16 coaches, including the 4 women TV presenters working as assistant coaches in the the KHL Master Show and KHL All Star Game.
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