Last season, Dmitry Kagarlitsky can safely fit into an asset. The famous striker in his first season for Ak Bars became the club’s top scorer. However, Dmitry himself is not satisfied with the championship – like the entire Kazan team, he expected to achieve much more in the playoffs.
Therefore, Kagarlitsky has a special mood for the next season. He has a positive attitude towards the appearance of such stars as Kazantsev Vadim Shipachev and Alexander Radulov. After all, the higher the competition, the stronger the team. In the meantime, Dmitry is independently preparing for the Bars’ summer training camp, which, under the leadership of Oleg Znark, promises to be a tough test …
“In Dubai, they learned Borodino with their son
“I have been training for a month and a half,” says Dmitry. – Now I study with Ivan Skobrev. Together we run around the stadium and skate on the ice.
– Do you know Skobrev from the time he played at Dynamo, where he was a physical trainer?
– No before. He and my wife studied at the same university in Cherepovets. Vanya was born in Khabarovsk, but we can say that he is a student of the Cherepovets skating school. So we have known each other for a very long time, we are friends with families. In addition, I go to the gym, where a physical trainer works with me. I am preparing for the pre-season at Ak Bars. Everyone pretty much understands what the requirements will be.
– Yes, Oleg Znark’s summer training camp has long become a legend in the KHL. Is that why you’ve been training for a month and a half now?
No, I always start like that. In general, I try not to lose form, not to stop. Even on vacation, I go to the gym. The fillers, of course, are smaller, but I don’t drop them at all. Now I am gradually gaining momentum. But it is clear that it is too early to reach 100% readiness. It’s useless, because there is a month and a half of intensive training ahead.
Where did you spend your vacation this summer?
– The whole family flew to Dubai, then with my wife to the Maldives. For the first time in several years, we decided to go somewhere without a little one.
– Have you already chosen sports sections for your son?
– No, Arkhip is not yet involved in sports. He’s more of a creative guy.
– Probably, like you, he respects poetry?
My son is very fond of poetry. It was while they were resting in Dubai, that they accidentally learned “Borodino” from Lermontov with him. If Arkhip likes something, he starts repeating and quickly remembers everything.
“I already talked to Znark about life”
– How did you react to the fact that the team was led by Oleg Znarok? The result expected by the club management is immediately clear.
– I will start with the fact that Ak Bars always faces the greatest challenges. And Oleg Valeryevich probably also understood what task he would be given. As far as I know, all the guys took the news of him well. Although, for example, I did not work with him in the KHL club, but in the national team, we crossed paths and, in principle, we have known each other for a long time. As a Znark specialist, everyone knows that. A man has won both the Olympics and the world championship, that’s worth a lot. In the KHL, he has three Gagarin Cups to his name. Well, what other questions can be? And all the players who have personally worked with Znark at clubs speak highly of him.
“Where did you meet Znark?” I remember that a few years ago all the hockey media published a photo where you and Vadim Shipachev went to visit Oleg Valeryevich in Riga.
– Then we came to Riga for the match with Dynamo, and Znarok invited Vadik to visit us. Well, it turns out we went together. Like, they said, “Take this one too.” Well then sit down.
– Have you already communicated with the new coach of Ak Bars this summer?
– Yes, when Oleg Valeryevich flew to Kazan, I also came there on business. And we, one might say, bumped into each other accidentally. We talked, but no plans for the season, just life. Such conversations are also necessary for a good atmosphere in the locker room. But now I want to start working as soon as possible.
“In terms of what is needed for hockey, Ak Bars is number one in the KHL”
By the way, about the upcoming work. You are probably particularly happy that Shipachev moved to Ak Bars?
– Vadik and I have been communicating well for a long time. Of course, the team needs such a person. Not just as a centre-forward, but also as a friend. Everyone understands who signed. I’m sure there was a serious fight for him. His statistics speak for themselves. But we won this fight and now we are looking forward to it in Kazan. Called with him more than once, discussed various matters, including everyday. I assured him that Ak Bars had excellent conditions.
– Already made plans – how will you play the majority together?
– If it’s too early to talk about it, I don’t even know if the endowment is over. I would love to play with Shipachev again. But everything went well for me last season and with Galimov Artem is a good guy and a good hockey player. So it’s up to the coaches to decide. In Kazan, the class centers come together.
– I am not surprised that after you several top Dynamo Moscow players moved to Kazan at the same time – Tarasov, Shipachev, Voinov?
– Why be surprised? You say yourself that they are famous players. The fact that they ended up at Ak Bars, plus our general manager Marat Valiullin. In addition, Kazan has excellent training conditions. In terms of what is needed for hockey, Ak Bars is number one in the KHL. Personally, I took this moment into account when moving to Kazan. I think the other guys too. And in addition, they understand what they are going to fight for, what is the goal of the team. It is also very important for the players. Everyone wants to go for the Cup. Especially after a bad season where we were eliminated in the first round. In the spring, everyone was sure that Ak Bars would go further. But the bug work has already been done, now – only forward.
“Radulov is a master of big tasks, such players are worth their weight in gold”
– What do you think of Radulov’s return to the KHL, who will now play with you on the same team? Six months ago, it was hard to believe!
– This is a plus not only for Ak Bars, but for the whole league. A player we hear about is back in the KHL. Radulov is known not only in Russia, but also in America. Everyone understands what kind of hockey player he is. And even if the last season of Sasha was not the most successful, it is not necessary to pay attention to it, everyone has one. I played against him, I remember what a master he is. I repeat, everyone benefited from Radulov’s return to Russia. I am happy that we will play in the same team. He is a master for big tasks, such players are worth their weight in gold.
– Are you personally not bothered by such a large-scale reinforcement of Ak Bars? After all, last season you became the team’s top scorer, its leader. This is also important for any player. And now the competition between the attackers of Kazan will increase sharply.
” I do not care. And I don’t consider last season as a great success for me. 34 points in the regular season is not an exceptional result. But the most important thing is the Cup. If the guys who came to Kazan help conquer it, no one will care about personal statistics. It doesn’t matter who is the top scorer and who scored how many points. It’s understandable that everyone wants to have a lot of playing time. But when I moved to Kazan, nobody guaranteed me that either. So we’ll find out as we go along. Nobody will fight for who is considered the leader or who will score the most. If we win, it doesn’t matter. And being the top scorer of a team that hasn’t won anything, what’s the point?
– Ak Bars is called in advance the rulers of the East. And he will have to prove it in every game. Are you mentally ready for this?
– We were registered as leaders last season, personally I don’t pay attention to that anymore. It is clear that the opponents will be great to listen to us. Well, when has anyone not listened to Ak Bars? We are all professionals. Even the young ones are very cool, not to mention the more experienced ones. The balance is very good. And what happens – spring will show.
“In the Stanley Cup final, I support Tampa with my soul”
Do you follow the Stanley Cup?
– Sure. Colorado – Tampa – a very cool final, although many predicted that they would meet there. Although, I admit, I supported the Rangers. I wanted our boys – Panara, Shestera – to reach the final. Because Tampa has won the Cup more than once. And the “Rangers” could not do this for a very long time. I have nothing against Tampa, it’s already a dynasty team. But I want other guys to compete for the Cup. I will definitely watch the final. After all, there are Russian guys playing both sides.
Who is your favorite in the final?
– In my soul, I’m more of a Tampa fan. But I really like the way Colorado plays. McKinnon is generally good there. And Valera Nichushkin is having a cool season. He went through a tough time in his career when he didn’t score, got away with it, now everything is fine for him – both in the regular season and in the playoffs. Plus a young Makar defender… Cool team, worthy of playing in the final.
– And why are you still for Tampa with your soul?
– Probably because there are more of ours – Sergachev, Kucherov, Vasilevsky. They are the leaders of the team, in the first roles, the game is built through them. Well, in general, Tampa presents very interesting combinations. There, Kucherov’s programs alone are worth something. Decent finish.
Who else do you like in the Stanley Cup?
“Edmonton made some noise. Such were the scores – 6:8! Obviously, this is not our usual hockey. Although… In the KHL, Magnitogorsk also rustled in the playoffs with similar scores.
– Do you have any wishes for the KHL before the start of the season?
– I look forward to the championship calendar, I always study it with interest. But in general, I would like to see more games in it. Let’s say 60-62. But then again, the question is – will there be breaks? If you cram them three times for two weeks and then play every other day, that’s also not very good, with no days off at all. We must increase the number of matches by reducing the breaks.
Source : MatchTV
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
