We spoke with Alexander Sergeyevich after recording the historic project. Don’t forget that on September 2 the hockey world will celebrate the 51st anniversary of the start of the great 1972 Super Series, in which Yakushev scored seven goals and received four rings as the Soviet side’s MVP . There were eight games in total, and every second the Yak-15 was the best.
Yakushev spent 17 seasons in the Soviet league playing exclusively for Spartak and scored 339 goals in 568 appearances. Also, some statistics might be lost. For example, he scored 50 goals in 42 games in the 1968/69 season. Can you imagine what a sniper looked like?!
But I decided to tell about the legend of modern Spartak, which is also pleasing.
From this interview with Yakushev, you will learn:
“Khokhlachev asked for everything that is unacceptable for Spartak”
– Spartak have won all seven pre-season matches. This is the best result in the KHL! Clearly, it is too early to draw big conclusions. But what is your impression of the “red-white” game?
– I also really liked the team’s play, as well as the coaching work of Alexei Zhamnov. The team managed not only to retain, but also to add youngsters from the “chemist” of the resurrection. They have joined the team and are showing good solid play.
We managed to win the Moscow Mayor’s Cup, but a lot of guys didn’t have a lot of experience. But they played at this level in the final against CSKA (3:1), winners of the Gagarin Cup for the past two years. Nevertheless, the game went well and Spartak gave the fans hope that the team would perform well in the coming season.
– Unexpected exchange – The “Spartak” said goodbye to Alexander Khokhlachev, the symbol of the club. This decision surprised me. How did you take it?
– Of course, Khokhlachov is an extraordinary player. He scored a lot last year and gave a lot. Although the team did not make the playoffs. He even scored the winning goal against CSKA in the Mayor’s Cup.
But, as far as I know, the exchange was mutually agreed, that is, it took place by mutual agreement. What Khokhlachev demanded financially is unacceptable to Spartak. That’s why they decided to do it, allowing Alexander to go where his salary conditions could be met. This is how Khabarovsk turned out.
There was, one might say, a financial exchange. Khokhlachev got what he wanted in Love. Spartak received not only monetary compensation, but also the good 17-year-old Belarusian striker Artem Gumenyuk.
– If you remember a year later this grandiose exchange of Alexander Nikishin for nine hockey players, who won against him – SKA or Spartak?
– At that time, the Spartak management decided that the exchange would be equivalent. Although, of course, it was painful for Spartacists to lose a defender like Nikishin. Nevertheless, a number of players were received back, someone even joined the team. They played well, showed themselves.
“Alexei Zhamnov looks like Sergei Fedorov”
– Alexey Zhamnov was once considered a manager, but now he turned out to be a good coach, having even won silver at the Olympics. Can he become a great specialist?
– He has all the prerequisites to become a coach. He almost became one. For what? First of all, a great playing experience, starting with Dynamo Moscow before moving on to the NHL. Then Zhamnov played for a long time in North America and absorbed the knowledge of NHL coaches who worked with him.
And all those nuances and moments Aleksey passes on to the players, teaching them important details, perhaps invisible to the public. But that’s hockey. In general, Zhamnov resembles Sergei Fedorov, who as a player won three Stanley Cups, and then became a coach – and immediately won two Gagarin Cups in a row.
And they both work without a degree. But rich experience helps. We see that Zhamnov and Fedorov are already full-fledged coaches who have written their names in the history of our hockey.
– And Spartak’s coaching staff is interesting.
— Yes, Alexei Kovalev and Igor Ulanov came, also former players with rich experience, and they managed to work as KHL coaches.
– It is said that Ilya Kovalchuk, as a player, can return to big hockey. Does the team need such an uncle-mentor?
– If he makes a decision and plays for Spartak, it will be great for the team. Kovalchuk will keep the locker room, and will show up on the field. Such an experienced uncle is needed.
“You have to educate your people, but you need legionnaires”
– What should Spartak do to crush CSKA in Moscow? CSKA is distinguished by the stability of the composition. Maybe the “red-whites” don’t need to remove the list?
– There are a lot of moments here. It is also very important to create chemistry within the team. And that there were appropriate financial conditions. Without it, unfortunately, in our time, it is impossible to achieve something. This cannot be denied. In order to invite good players, you need their interest in it. It is therefore difficult to answer this question unambiguously. Many factors come into play here.
“What do you think of the legionnaires?” Spartak hasn’t really guessed with them in recent years. Perhaps count only on the Russians, on the students of their academy?
– Of course, you have to educate yourself. But you still need legionnaires. And the first thing to consider is their skill level. If it is good, then, of course, it should be taken, the legionnaire will not interfere at all. And whether or not he takes a Russian passport is up to him. The most important thing is the level to help the team and so that our young people learn from him, learn from his experience. So there must be chemistry here.
– In general, did Spartak show perfect hockey in the Moscow Mayor’s Cup final?
– I think hockey was at a high level. The audience was delighted, although there were more army supporters than Spartak supporters. And it’s in Megasport! They yelled at us… But Spartak still won. Well done guys, they are doing good hockey. God bless the season.
Watch the live broadcast of the first game of the Fonbet KHL Championship season between CSKA Moscow and Ak Bars Kazan on September 1 from 18:00 (Moscow time) on the channel, as well as matchtv sites. ru and sportbox.ru.
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.
