“Ovechkin is under pressure because of what is happening in the world. But I always keep an eye on what he did.” Interview with Sergei Fedorov

“Sechin has radically changed my destiny”

– In your life, there has already been the NHL, the IIHF, the Michigan Halls of Fame… It turns out that our Russian is already the fourth in a row?

“Honestly, I haven’t had time to count yet,” smiled Fedorov. I had a long and very busy day. In the morning, I came with my family to the National Hockey Hall of Fame, I looked at the names of the people who were already there and… I got a little excited.

Many thanks to the FHR, President Vladislav Alexandrovich Tretiak and the entire committee that nominated me. I haven’t figured it all out yet. But all this happened thanks to my parents, fate, partners, with whom I worked throughout my hockey career.

Many thanks to our veterans who are still helping us in the person of Boris Petrovich Mikhailov. Many thanks for the support, trust and tireless help to Igor Ivanovich Sechin, who radically changed my fate by appointing me as the head coach of CSKA. For his great interest in hockey and our club, which he shows despite being very busy. Sechin was personally involved in my development as a coach. He helped with advice, sometimes scolded, not without. But his words last season helped me a lot.

In this championship, I also feel his human help and his support, which helps me to move forward and energizes me. Prepares for successful work in all areas of hockey. From myself I will say that all tasks will be completed.

– You said that Igor Sechin radically changed your fate. Your appointment as head coach of CSKA really surprised everyone, including you. But maybe mentally you were still preparing for a coaching career?

“That day, everything was unexpected and very exciting for me. I can’t say I was ready for this turn of events. But he said yes to the offer. And, holding the tug, do not say that he is not well hung. I had enough hockey experience.

But I want to thank my assistants, who remained in the CSKA coaching staff, for their support, science and answers to my endless questions – what and how? The guys did their best. I hope I managed to do something with them and win the Gagarin Cup. But there again, the support of Igor Ivanovitch was very important.

– Can Sechin call you after the CSKA game and give you his observations and suggestions? Can you discuss hockey with him or discuss something?

– Igor Ivanovich and I have been working together for about 10 years. And yet, my appointment as head coach of CSKA was fateful and unexpected. We don’t have discussions. There is a report and some thoughts from me on how the team prepared for the game and how they played. And in response, I am waiting for a resume, realizing that he is a very busy person and hockey in his life is still not in the first place. But Igor Ivanovich still congratulates our team on the victory. The help he gave to me personally and to CSKA is very strong.

“I play hockey with my son whenever possible”

– When your children entered the Hall of Fame, did they understand where they were? Around the plaques of famous hockey players…

“The most important thing is that the children are interested in it. Maybe they still don’t understand what dad is doing. They only know that I can skate well and use a stick. Because we often go to the rink together and spend a lot of time on the ice – both with Viktor and Alexandra. They also really like to come to hockey and support CSKA. Gradually they will grow and begin to understand more – what and how. But with my son, we already play hockey – at home and on the street, as much as possible.

– Your son is five years old, it’s time to start learning hockey. Or are you not pushing him to a sports school?

– Something my son likes, something in hockey already interests him. But I have nothing to “push” him directly and persistently in that direction. I think at the age of nine he should feel the need for something himself. Because in the summer we play football, as I did in my childhood with my father, and in the winter we play a lot of hockey and skate. Therefore, let’s see.

– Now there is an opinion that children should be given to sports from an early age. And you say nine years. Although Ovechkin started playing hockey at age eight.

– We are not in a hurry. If the son himself wants to play hockey, we will organize it for him and offer him something. But, if he chooses something else, please. I don’t think a kid should be limited to just one hockey. Personally, I grew up differently. The child just needs to be active. And practice the sport you want. In principle, he should be active in life. If winter – sleds, skates, toboggans.

“I’m happy for Malkin – God bless him”

– Evgeni Malkin can beat you in points in the next games and become the second Russian scorer in the NHL in terms of performance. He is only missing two points. Don’t you think your careers with Zhenya are fundamentally similar in some way? He and you have three Stanley Cups. Only he always wanted to stay in Pittsburgh. And you – to leave Detroit.

– I agree, there are common parameters, but careers are always different. In terms of what I wanted out of Detroit, not exactly. I did, but Malkin didn’t. As for records, I have always said that we had to beat them. Because the new generation is always better, it is more educated both sportingly and technically. Therefore, I am happy for Zhenya, God bless him. The main thing is that there are no injuries and only forward.

Imagine a fantastic situation. You can take Malkin or Fedorov to your current CSKA. Who are you going to choose?

– There is no need to fantasize, since Fedorov played in the NHL, and Malkin plays there now. Therefore, we will work with these guys who are with us now. We believe in them, they can do a lot.

“Gordie Howe used to come into our dressing room and tell us jokes”

Ovechkin has broken the 800 NHL goals mark and is poised to pass Gordie Howe. How do you look at it? After all, history is unfolding before our eyes.

– I am very happy for Sasha. I always support him as much as possible, learning what he did there, across the ocean. And I will always support. I wish him good luck. The situation is very difficult. As for what’s going on in the world, there’s a lot of pressure on Ovechkin now. In such moments, I want to be strong, to be with my family. And on the ice – sports happiness and good health. And most importantly – more wins. If there are wins, there will be goals.

– Ovechkin himself often recalls how Gordie Howe came into his locker room during the NHL All-Star Game in Montreal in 2009, and they had a good chat. For Sasha, this is very important. Did you meet Howe more often?

– We met Mr. Hockey a dozen times when I played for Detroit. Gordy entered the locker room and always brought with him light energy, which we were responsible for. He was very positive. He greeted everyone, always jokes, jokes… A real mentor.

– Can Ovechkin score 1,000 NHL goals? Is it realistic to dream of such an Everest?

No one has the right to dream. I wouldn’t want to run that far, because we’re talking about professional sports. But dreams do come true. Sasha is only 35 years old.

— Already 37 years old.

– I do not count precisely two years, two seasons will be useful to him. Therefore, dreams and interest in records are good. But, as a professional player with a lot of experience, I understand how difficult it is. These are good press conferences for people who personally support Sasha and for hockey in general. Let’s root for him too.