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KHL News and Interviews

Dec72009 by Gary LawsNo Comments
Sergei Zubov: “SKA could defeat any NHL team”

Sergei Zubov: “SKA could defeat any NHL team”

KHL News and Interviews
Sergei Zubov: "SKA could defeat any NHL team" (Photo © Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) In the interview posted on KHL official site, SKA St. Petersburg's Sergei Zubov talks about the differences between the NHL and the KHL, gives his opinion on personal awards and compares veterans' and youngsters' contribution to a team's success. RussianHockeyFans.com offers you a translation of the interview. Judging by last month's stats, your needed period of adaptation to Russia is complete. You can say that, I guess. I've spent the first two months to adapt to new hockey and new size rink. I've tried to understand the style of my team and of the opponents. Because of this I couldn't perform up to my possibilities. Now I am rather accustomed and thus I play well. My team helped me a lot – in the last fe...
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Dec72009 by Gary LawsNo Comments
KHL » Viktor Tikhonov scores 2 goals in KHL debut

KHL » Viktor Tikhonov scores 2 goals in KHL debut

KHL News and Interviews
Viktor Tikhonov scores 2 goals in KHL debut (Photo © khl.ru) Viktor Tikhonov, who was loaned to Severstal of the KHL by the Phoenix Coyotes, scored two goals in his debut game. Tikhonov spent on ice 17:56, had 7 shots on goal and a +2 rating. His Severstal faced HC MVD and won 5:3. "I missed Russia and our hockey very much," said Tikhonov after the game. "Two goals in a debut is a great start, as for me. I'll try to keep up the pace. Of course I wanted to score but I didn't have to try hard because it's easy to score with such partners as mine. It didn't take me long to adjust to the game as the team's roster is almost the same as it was when I left for the North America. My grandfather (famous coach Viktor Vasilievich Tikhonov) was at the game today so I dedicate these goals to him! I wi...
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Dec62009 by Gary LawsNo Comments
KHL » Igor Makarov traded to Dynamo Moscow for Oleg Saprykin

KHL » Igor Makarov traded to Dynamo Moscow for Oleg Saprykin

KHL News and Interviews
Igor Makarov traded to Dynamo Moscow for Oleg Saprykin (Photo © fhr.ru) After being a healthy scratch in the last few games with Dynamo Moscow, former Phoenix Coyotes, Calgary Flames, Ottawa Senators and CSKA Moscow player Oleg Saprykin has been traded to SKA St. Petersburg for hot prospect Igor Makarov. Makarov was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round of the 2006 NHL Draft as 33rd overall pick. The quick winger participied to the Hawks' training camp a couple of seasons ago, but decided to get back to Russia after he failed securing a roster spot within the main team and apparently refusing to play in the AHL. This year Makarov's role has diminished a bit because of SKA's depth and thus he scored only three goals in twenty-five matches. Saprykin's season has been disappo...
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Dec32009 by Gary Laws1 Comment
KHL » Nikita Filatov: “Returning to Russia was my idea”

KHL » Nikita Filatov: “Returning to Russia was my idea”

KHL News and Interviews
Nikita Filatov: "Returning to Russia was my idea" (Photo © Associated Press) Nikita Filatov had an interview with eurosport.ru website in which he talked about his return, his opinion about his path towards the NHL and about his future. RussianHockeyFans.com offers you a translation of the most interesting questions and answers. - How do you feel after the fly through ocean and within Russia? - Well, not bad. I’m adapting gradually. They say that the hardest thing is fly towards East. I landed from America and then at once even farer: Chelyabinsk, Ekaterinburg, Magnitogorsk. I was in Moscow for the last time on September 8th. - Was it hard getting to the games? - Nothing special. I knew all the guys and it helped me. When I met the team I wasn’t familiar only with a couple of guys. It was...
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Dec32009 by Gary Laws2 Comments
KHL » Sergei Zubov: “NHL and KHL are almost the same”

KHL » Sergei Zubov: “NHL and KHL are almost the same”

KHL News and Interviews
Sergei Zubov: "NHL and KHL are almost the same" (Photo © khl.ru) Former NHL defenceman Sergei Zubov, currently playing for SKA St. Petersburgh of the KHL, answered to fans' questions on Russian site sportbox.ru. He talked about his moving from Dallas to St. Petersburg, differences between NHL and KHL, what would his dream team look like and his chances to play on the Olympics in Vancouver. RussianHockeyFans.com offers you a translation of the most interesting questions and answers. - You returned to Russia after living in America for so many years. Do you see any changes here? - Not many. Of course such cities as Moscow or St. Petersburg have improved a lot. But that's just superficial changes, a lot remains the same. - Why did you move from the Dallas Stars to SKA? - My contract with Dal...
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Dec12009 by Gary LawsNo Comments
KHL » KHL launches All-Star Game web site and opens fan voting

KHL » KHL launches All-Star Game web site and opens fan voting

KHL News and Interviews
KHL launches All-Star Game web site and opens fan voting (Photo © khlallstar.ru) KHL announced an opening of the All-Star Game website, also available in English, where fans can select the starting lineups. The Press Release: The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) today launched www.khlallstar.ru, the official Web site for the 2010 KHL All-Star Game. This new site, available in English by clicking on “English” above the main KHL All-Star Game logo on the front page, features all relevant news and information for the League’s second All-Star Game, scheduled for Saturday, January 30, 2010, in Minsk, Belarus. Visitors to the site will find a wide variety of content, including news and ticket details, schedule information on the planned hockey festival that will be held in conjunction with the ...
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Nov302009 by Gary LawsNo Comments
Sergei Fedorov: “Pleased to become first Russian to score 1500 points”

Sergei Fedorov: “Pleased to become first Russian to score 1500 points”

KHL News and Interviews
Sergei Fedorov: "Pleased to become first Russian to score 1500 points" (Photo © khl.ru) Former NHL player Sergei Fedorov, now playing in the KHL, has scored his 1500th career-point. He became the first Russian player ever to reach that mark, leaving behind such players as Igor Larionov, Alexander Mogilniy, Alexei Kovalev, Alexei Yashin and others. RussianHockeyFans.com offers you a translation of Fedorov's interview to a Russian newspaper Sport-Express. - Did you know you were stuck at 1499 career-points mark before this game? - Yeah, they told me about it. I knew the numbers but didn't pay much attention to it. Today I recorded two assists so I may say that I exceeded the plan (laughs). - You are the first Russian player to achieve this result. Even the players from the legendary top CSK...
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Nov282009 by Gary Laws1 Comment
KHL » Nikita Filatov: “I might stay in KHL for one more year”

KHL » Nikita Filatov: “I might stay in KHL for one more year”

KHL News and Interviews
Nikita Filatov: "I might stay in KHL for one more year" (Photo © khl.ru) Nikita Filatov, who was loaned to CSKA Moscow by the Columbus Blue Jackets, keeps on doing great in the KHL. He played 4 games so far and amassed 8 points, scoring 4 goals and giving 4 assists. Filatov also managed to set a new KHL record, scoring 3 game-winning goals in 3 matches in a row. RussianHockeyFans.com offers you a translation of his interview published by Sovetskiy Sport, which he gave after yesterday's game against Spartak. - One can see that now you are playing as if you had wings on your back. Is it because you don't have to focus so much on defence in CSKA as you had to in Columbus? - Yes, it is. But I wouldn't say that I spend all my time in the offensive zone, I don't forget about the defence too. T...
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Nov242009 by Gary LawsNo Comments
Sergei Gomolyako invited to HK Vetra Vilnius management

Sergei Gomolyako invited to HK Vetra Vilnius management

KHL News and Interviews
Sergei Gomolyako invited to HK Vetra Vilnius management (Photo © hcvityaz.ru) Vityaz's former head coach Sergei Gomolyako might become one of HK Vetra Vilnius staffers, according to Sport Express. The Lithuanian team is trying to enter the KHL in the 2010-11 season. It's planned that Gomolyako will assist General Manager Alexander Kharlamov in forming team's roster. "I have recieved an offer from Vetra some days ago, but to tell the truth I haven't said yes yet. Vilnius is a great city, but first I have to discuss with the team's management. It would be' very interesting to take part to the creation of a new KHL team. Gomolyako, now 39, played 18 seasons in the RSL, mostly with Metallurg Magnitogorsk and Traktor Chelyabinsk.
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