Well-known agent Alexander Chernykh, representing the interests of the former striker “Ak Barsa” Danisa Zaripova told RB Sport there would be a full house at the hockey player’s farewell match, even though it was being held in an arena the size of a football stadium.
Zaripov, who has spent most of his career at Ak Bars, played his last official match on February 24. The 42-year-old hockey player’s farewell match will be held on August 9 in Kazan. Ak Bars for the first time in history will remove the number from circulation – number 25 will remain with Danis Zaripov.
– Doesn’t it surprise you that tickets for Danis Zaripov’s farewell match were sold out in two days?
– Not surprising at all. If tickets were sold for an arena the size of a football stadium, there would also be a full house. Zaripov is the only five-time winner of the Gagarin Cup. In Kazan, they understand the important role he played in hockey, and many guys responded to the offer to participate.
– Is there any regret that such a master puts an end to his career?
“Sooner or later, everyone has to end their career. Nature still wreaks havoc. Our illustrious veterans – Fetisov, Krutov, Makarov, Malakhov, Kamensky, Zhamnov, Bure – all ended their careers, although I wanted to keep seeing them on the ice. That’s life.
Zaripov is a five-time Gagarin Cup winner with Ak Bars and Metallurg Magnitogorsk.
RB Sports
Source : MatchTV
I’m Emma Smith, a dedicated journalist and avid storyteller. I have been writing for news websites for the past 5 years, reporting on hockey news and delivering in-depth analysis of the sport. In my current role as Author at Athletistic, I write about hockey events from around the world to keep followers up-to-date with what’s happening in the sport.
