“We will be respected in the KHL, we promise.” Sochi have a very confident goalkeeper

Mikhail Berdin – a talented Russian goalkeeper with an interesting fate. He played in the Russian U-18 team of Vitaly Prokhorov, who played in the MHL, then left for the first American junior league – USHL, and two years later found himself in the system “Winnipeg Jets “, who selected him in the repechage.

There, Berdin over the past few years has gradually made his way into the base. He went through the East Coast League, became the main goaltender of the Jets agricultural club in the AHL, where he scored several powerful highlights – scored a goal and fought with an opposing striker.

During the covid 2020/21 season, Berdin, while in the arena, played 14 games for SKA, after which he was sent to Sochi. But Mikhail did not play for the KHL’s southernmost club and returned to Winnipeg. He extended his deal with the Jets for two seasons, with the deal becoming one-sided in the second year. That is to say, “Winnipeg” could no longer send him to the AHL without being drafted with refusals.

Before this season, the situation at the Jets was going well for Berdin. Eric Comrie moved to Buffalo, and his only competitor for second goaltender was Czech David Rittich, who had failed the past two seasons. It looked like Berdin could finally get a foothold in base Winnipeg and make his NHL debut. But he decided to return to Russia.

The goalie’s contact with the Jets is frozen and will not count toward the salary cap. At the same time, Berdin was cleared to sign a one-year deal outside of North America. This was made possible through his participation in the NHL’s drug addiction program. Berdin took advantage of this option to return to his native country. In fact, he has no problem neither with the psyche, nor even more so with abuse.

He is now back in Sochi. Mikhail’s debut came in a match against Traktor. He lost (3:4), but was nullified by several impressive saves. Berdi shared his emotions and impressions of returning to his native country with correspondents.

“SHUMAKOV’S GOAL IS LIKE A Slap”

– How would you rate your debut in Sochi? How’s the vibe in the arena, fans?

– The first pancake came out lumpy. The first period took place in uncertainty, the team helped me out, corrected the situation. As the game progressed, he became more confident. Of course, it affected the fact that he hadn’t played for a long time, only coached. But I don’t want to make excuses now. I will prepare for the next game and improve with each game.

– Tractor’s winning goal by Sergei Shumakov turned out to be very offensive for you.

– Honestly, it happened for the first time in my career – the puck fell behind my collar. Like a kind of slap. In such cases, you have a choice: give up or continue working. I choose the second option to become stronger.

– You arrived in Sochi a few weeks ago, but you didn’t play right away, even though you were preparing for the season in Winnipeg. Did you have time to adapt to the team?

– I was sick for a week, I was sitting at home with a temperature. Prior to the match against Traktor, he only skated twice with the team.

– That explains a lot.

I don’t want to use this factor as an excuse. A good goalkeeper must always correspond to his level.

– The Traktor gate in the first half was defended by Alexei Melnichuk, who started the season here. You met him in the junior and junior teams, and it turns out that you came to Sochi, in fact, in his place. Was it important for you to beat him?

— Yes, Alexey and I know each other. But I don’t care who plays in the opposing goal. The most important thing is my game, my team, which I let down in the first period. I will correct myself, give Sochi a chance to win. I think everything will be fine.

– You could make your Sochi debut in the 2020/21 season when you left SKA. As a result, they only practiced, never played, then flew to Winnipeg. Why did this happen?

– It was like that. Covid ended and I was called back to Winnipeg.

“RUSSIA AFTER CANADA FOR ME IS A HEAVENLY PLACE”

— Do you like the climate of Sochi? After Winnipeg, probably a heavenly place?

– For me, in general, after Canada, Russia is a heavenly place. I love my country very much. Being in Russia is a balm for my soul.

Something was wrong in Canada?

“I simply love my country. Necessary where was born.

– The situation with the goalies in Winnipeg has been favorable to you. Comrie is off to Buffalo, Rittich isn’t impressive, the base’s doors are open. No regrets about leaving?

– This return decision was not spontaneous, emotional. It doesn’t matter who was the first or the second goalkeeper there. It’s not about hockey. I came back because I love my country. I don’t want to live in Canada. I want to live at home. Especially in such a difficult time. It is clear that the KHL is inferior to the NHL, but it was important for me to challenge myself. Yes, these are new difficulties, but they temper us.

– There is a lot of talk about the fact that the attitude towards Russians in North America and Europe deteriorated sharply after February 24. Did you feel this?

“I don’t care if there’s pressure or not. At least send me to the forest – I’ll feel comfortable. I just feel happier at home, I smile more often, I like spending time with my parents and family. I was extremely happy that so many people from my hometown supported me today: friends, grandfathers, grandmothers – everyone watched the game. Yes , I didn’t play in the best way, but this support is worth a lot. When the anthem plays, I have a smile, I’m happy to tears to be here. I’m grateful to Sochi for this opportunity I have confidence in myself and I can help the team to correct the situation.

– The style of the KHL teams is different from the North American leagues. They play throwing, there are more cross passes, transfers. How long does it take for a goalkeeper to adapt? Yet field hockey players, after arriving from abroad, also need to rebuild.

– I do not have that. In my opinion, if you are a good goalkeeper, you have to adapt to any situation. What does it change, well, they will give a pass … They also play a lot there, there are also a lot of masters. Regardless, these are subtle details. Either you play well or you don’t. Today I played unsatisfactorily, I have to improve.

– Nevertheless, it probably takes time to understand what kind of attackers are in the league, who plays how. Or is it not important?

– Everyone is different. Someone is still studying – which of the attackers does what. I don’t look at names at all, who I’m playing against. My job is to catch the puck. I will try to do it the best way.

“TO PLAY AS SKA IS AN EXCELLENT EXPERIENCE”

– Sochi has a young team. You are only 24 years old, but you are still seen as a player with a lot of experience. How did the guys accept you into the team?

– Good team. I let them down in the first half, they showed character, fought back, played for me. After that, he thanked them, apologized and said: “In the second I won’t stay in debt, run forward, you have to score, I’ll cover you from behind.” What happened happened. There are big changes in the team, now we forge steel. I see a great potential in us, we will soon use it. We will face serious opponents and fight. We will be respected in the league, we promise.

– You played half a season at SKA – the best club in the KHL. What did the period in St. Petersburg bring you and how often do you remember it?

“It was an incredible experience, I really enjoyed it there. Good club. I saw what a team should look like. There is really good discipline, everyone knows what they have to do. Everything is designed for playing hockey, so now they show such a result, we will strive to have the same style.

– They say that the NHL has a cosmic level of organization of intra-club processes. Is the KHL still far behind in this regard?

– In terms of organization, not a single NHL club can compare to SKA.

– Nevertheless?

— SKA created all the conditions for development. How many trainers, masseurs, how everything works – harmoniously, disciplined. In Sochi, too, everything is fine, but there is something to do. I think the best Russian teams have a better organization than the NHL. At least better than in Winnipeg. I haven’t been on any other teams.

You talk about the Jets like you don’t have fond memories of playing there.

“He didn’t say a single swear word about them, in my opinion. I still have warm feelings for Winnipeg. I have friends there, I got a great experience in this place, difficult to find elsewhere. You ask me, I say openly how it is.

– Are you closing the door to the NHL? Don’t give up on your dream?

“I don’t even think about what’s going to happen next month. Now I’m waiting for matches with CSKA and SKA. Ready to give them a fight. I only think about it, I connect. My goal is to get my team to the playoffs. Difficult challenge, but I accepted it. Will walk. I don’t want to think about Canada right now.