Last season, Alexander Khmelevsky came to the KHL from the San Jose system – he appeared in NHL games, but played even more often in the AHL for the Barracuda. No one really understood what to expect from this American who spoke good Russian. “My mother is from Israel,” Sasha explained.
But very soon Khmelevsky became the favorite of the Ufa audience. His sweaters were the best-selling in Salavat Yulaev, and he himself scored a lot of goals and scored a lot of points. He could return to the NHL, but already in March he extended his contract in Ufa for another season.
From the interview with Alexander Khmelevsky you will learn:
“The first round of the qualifiers is not what Salavat needs”
Alexander, how are you?
– Everything is fine. The pre-season is difficult, we are working hard.
– Is it true that you began to actively improve your language and even read books in Russian?
– Well, no books yet – only messages in Russian. The books themselves have yet to be addressed. Perhaps we should start with children’s literature.
How important is it for a legionnaire to learn Russian when joining the KHL?
“Knowing the language helps a lot. I can speak calmly. This is practical not only in hockey, but also in life. I went to the store to get groceries, you can ask someone a question on the street. And when you don’t know anything, it’s very difficult to find your way around, and you’re embarrassed to ask. It is therefore always necessary to acquire a basic vocabulary and to be sociable.
– Already in mid-March you extended the contract with Salavat Yulaev for another year. Why didn’t they think so long, why didn’t they wait until August?
– I had a good last season, judging by my personal statistics (26 + 22 = 48 points in 67 matches). But I wanted the team to succeed. Salavat Yulaev and I were supposed to make the playoffs, but we were knocked out in the first round by Admiral (2-4). So I extended the contract, because we have the task of going far. Only the first round – we don’t need it.
“We agreed on a salary in rubles”
– Are foreign players who sign a contract in rubles very worried when the price of the dollar doubles? The salary goes down.
Why would I lie? Of course, this is an unpleasant situation, but there is nothing you can do about it. If you signed a contract, then you signed it. How much money I had, I have so much. So you had such an agreement. We sign the contract in rubles, not dollars. And we agreed with that from the start.
“Deal, as they say in America.
– They say agree or not agree. Even the American TV show is called that. Either you make a deal or you don’t.
– Salavat Yulaev now has two vacant legionary posts. Your familiar North American hockey players didn’t ask, “Sasha, how are things in Ufa?” GOOD? Can we come?”
– You know, such options do not yet exist. But training camps will soon open in the NHL. And after that, some guys will start going downhill in the AHL if they don’t get a foothold in the first team. Some people might not like playing in the AHL. Then the idea will arise to move to Russia, to Europe. Somewhere at the end of September you should expect some interesting options.
– Do you continue to follow San Jose, who holds your rights in the NHL?
— Of course, I’m the Sharks and I like to watch the highlights. Always good hockey. Erik Karlsson has moved to Pittsburgh. He’s a very good player and I think he’ll have a good playoff chance with Pence. Karlsson with Letang in defense, Crosby with Malkin in attack. What can you say? They have to score a lot.
But while I’m here in Russia, I’m concentrating on Salavat Yulaev’s business. First I have to think about the best way to spend this season in the KHL.
– But in San José, they noticed that you had very good statistics last season, what did you add? Maybe they wanted to take you back?
– Sometimes there are contacts, but they understand that I play in the KHL, and it’s not worth talking hand in hand. These cases are usually decided in the summer.
“I don’t need a Russian passport yet”
– What do you think about the fact that foreigners in the KHL began to acquire Russian citizenship?
– Everyone makes their choice, so far nothing has been offered to me. A US passport is enough for me. And with him, I feel very comfortable in Ufa. I have no anxiety, fear or apprehension. I’m doing well.
“In other words, you’re not considering applying for a Russian passport yet?”
– Not yet.
– And speaking of sports citizenship: you played for the American team at the youth and adult world championships. Is it important for you to play at the 2026 Olympics?
– I don’t think so at the moment. Of course, if I have a good season, then another, I can be noticed by the national team. But it’s still a long way off. Now all you have to do is set a goal to become a little better every day.
– Salavat Yulaev has interesting newcomers – goalkeeper Alexander Samonov, striker Alexander Sharov… What can you say about them?
“They are very good players. I would also name Vladislav Efremov and Vyacheslav Leshchenko. They are pulling the team very well now in pre-season. I really like the way these guys play.
– Ak Bars, your opponent in the Green Derby, has improved a lot. I think they will win all SU matches this season. What should I do with this?
– Play. If we just look, thinking there are only stars, how will that help us? When we step out onto the ice – five outfielders on one side, five on the other – we’re all the same men lacing the skates the same way. So you just have to play.
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.
