27-year-old goalkeeper Nikita Serebryakov was recognized as the best goalkeeper in the KHL at the end of last season, and his “Admiral” sensationally reached the second round of the Gagarin Cup, when “Salavat Yulaev” was eliminated from the playoffs. .
And on October 4, a high-profile transfer of Serebryakov, now a free agent, took place to SKA, where they immediately signed a contract with him for four seasons – until April 30, 2027. In St. Petersburg he will perform under number 98. The goalkeeper has already flown from Vladivostok to Moscow, where SKA began preparations for Friday’s match against CSKA on Thursday.
From this conversation with Nikita Serebryakov you will learn:
“I had no strike against the Admiral”
— What was your first thought when the multi-stage deal between Admiral and SKA ended and you changed teams?
– Incredible emotions. I was very happy that it was all over and the transition had taken place. There was only joy.
— Why haven’t you played for Admiral since September 21?
— I had a slight injury which I received during the match against Kunlun (3:1). But he had already started training and could play on September 30 against Avtomobilist. But the coaches decided I wasn’t ready enough. So I had to attend the first home match with Lada (October 5).
—Is it true that you yourself refused to play for the admiral until you were traded? Was it a form of strike?
– No not at all. It was just damage. I wanted to recover as quickly as possible. I worked with doctors and a physical trainer. On the contrary, I tried to get into the match as quickly as possible.
I did not argue with the admiral’s leadership. On the contrary, we reached a common denominator and shook hands. We have excellent relations, there has been no strike.
—Is it true that “the Admiral” promised to exchange you immediately after the September gubernatorial elections, and that everyone kept this deadline in mind?
“To be honest, I haven’t thought about it much. The season started, especially not as successfully as we wanted. I thought more about games, and then whatever happens. I didn’t pay attention to all sorts of rumors and various movements. I was just preparing for the game and wanted to benefit the team.
— Goalkeeper coach Yuri Klyuchnikov left Admiral for SKA during the offseason. Perhaps he gave you preparation tasks over the summer?
— It is very pleasant to resume cooperation with Klyuchnikov. We have a great relationship, we understand each other perfectly. I came to see him this summer for training camp. We talked and stayed in touch.
“Every athlete wants to arrive at a high level club, I am very happy with the transition”
— It seemed that during the May tour of the Russian national team with the Belarusians, you fit in so well in the locker room, where most of the SKA players were, that the management of the St. Petersburg club wanted to do. everything to invite you into the team. And you won all your matches with the Belarusians.
— There was an incredible atmosphere there, we immediately hit it off as a team. Yes, I joined the team. Of course, every athlete wants to join a high-level organization. This is a big step for me and I am very happy with this transition.
— 19-year-old goalkeeper Sergei Ivanov travels from SKA to Admiral. Tell him what the pitfalls are, what to watch out for? This team has its own system for playing defense.
“I don’t even know what to suggest specifically.” You have to work every day, listen to the goalkeeper coach Andrei Tsarev – and I think everything will be fine.
— Give separate advice to Ivanov: how to live on planes?
— There, you need to rest, sleep more and recover. And that’s basically it.
— Evaluate your career stage before “Admiral”. You were transferred to Torpedo and returned to Vladivostok. But in the last two years we have made a lot of progress. Because of what ?
– It’s thanks to daily work. Yuri Klyuchnikov and I worked a lot on the ice, focusing on tactics. Only work and work, there is nothing else.
— Looking at SKA from the outside, is the defense structure very different from that of Admiral? Do you need to make a big adjustment?
– Now let’s go out on the ice and see. This must be studied within the team and not from outside. It is clear that in SKA everything is completely different. It has its own cuisine, its own specificity.
— Is your big goal to become the best goalie in the KHL again?
– Of course, I would like to repeat it. But it is now a secondary task. The most important thing is to win the Gagarin Cup. We’ll see for the rest. I think if we win the Gagarin Cup, you will automatically become at least a contender for the title of best goalkeeper. The chances will be higher.
“We will definitely return to the Hermitage!”
— Have you signed a four-year contract with SKA? How do you solve everyday problems when moving to St. Petersburg?
– My wife will definitely help in this matter. She is currently looking for apartments and will do more. But for me the most important thing is to join the team, get fit and win matches. And then everything will be fine. It’s an incredible city, there’s lots to do for the child and the family. I think everything will work out, everything will be fine for us.
— What must the admiral do for the team to qualify for the playoffs? And turn to the Vladivostok fans, who love you and warmly greet you after so many years at the club.
“The guys were missing something in the decisive moments, in some places they made mistakes, in others they couldn’t score. But we have to continue to work, believe in ourselves. I’m sure the guys will qualify for the playoffs. I just want to wish them good luck and no injuries. It was a pleasure to play with everyone.
Yes, I had a long history with Admiral, where I spent five years. I am very grateful to all the fans for their support and kind words. Because people came to the airport and always supported us, despite different results. I am very grateful, thank you very much!
— You have been to Saint Petersburg several times. But why have you never entered the Hermitage before?
— I had a child, I spend a lot of time with him. It probably won’t be very practical to go there with a baby. And now he has grown up, he is already four years old. Perhaps he will be interested in great art? We will definitely go to the Hermitage!
— When do you plan to play your first match for SKA? What do the coaches say?
— It’s better to ask the technical staff. And I connect from game to game. For me now, the most important thing is to join the team and get fit. If they tell me to play Friday against CSKA, I will play Friday. Whatever the coaches decide, we will do it.
Watch Fonbet matches of the KHL championship on the channels of the Match holding company, as well as on the sites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru. Friday’s match between CSKA and SKA will be broadcast live on the channel. The broadcast begins at 6:30 p.m.
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.
