Sergei Konkov spent 12 seasons in the KHL and won two Gagarin Cups with Dynamo Moscow. But as often happens after the end of a career, hockey has not disappeared from the player’s life. Sergei now helps young hockey players reach a more serious level. Konkov gave an interview to immediately after the master class he gave to young hockey players from Podolsk Vityaz.
From this interview, you will learn:
“The stars will not come to our training camp, they will not resist the stress”
— How do you feel as a hockey legend, who young people try to follow as an example?
— Legend is too strong a word for me. A master class for children is good, that’s how it should be. We must pass on the experience to the younger generation. When I was little, I also had idols. The guys are always happy to be on the same ice with players who have accomplished something.
— You became a hockey blogger and have worked as a coach in preparatory camps for several years now. How did you get used to this role?
— Blogging is my desire to tell about the successes of different people, how they achieved their goals.
And in summer camps I train hockey players, helping them reach a new level. I have come a long way, I have experience, not only victories, but also mistakes, you have to use it, you give the guys concentrated information, it helps them.
— Which of the best hockey players was at your training camp this summer?
— We don’t have any highs. All the guys are workers and peasants. They just want to make themselves known. Among the famous hockey players, Semyon Pankratov has been training with us since he was 18 years old and has already reached two Gagarin Cups.
The stars will not come to us, they simply will not withstand the load, we have to work. Those who want to achieve great success must work hard; our workload is not suitable for everyone.
— Does your cooperation with hockey players end with the start of the season?
— I work with the guys during the season. It’s more personal work, I make preparation plans, I analyze their matches.
It’s probably worth expanding the audience, many guys face the same questions, even if they have no secrets, you just need to draw up an individual preparation plan.
— Do you consider yourself a coach in the system of a KHL club?
– Maybe. So far, no such proposals have been received. Now I can only say that I absolutely do not consider myself a children’s coach. It is very detailed and difficult work.
“Sooner or later we will return to the international level, where we will have to show our high class”
— What will happen to Russian hockey if the IIHF excludes the FHR from its membership?
— We have people responsible for the development of our sport and the external political situation. I believe they will act in the interest of our country. If we are pushed around and have to endure… This is not our path. I believe we have qualified people who will understand this situation.
My task is to develop young people. Because sooner or later we will return to the international level and there we will have to show our great class.
— Are you sure that the isolation of Russian sport will not last long?
– I want to believe it. Anything can happen, of course. We can now authorize any development of events. But I think common sense will prevail, all political issues will be resolved and we will return to international competitions.
— Another important topic for our hockey is that Alexander Ovechkin has not scored in 13 games. What should you do in situations where the puck does not go into the goal?
“I think he is now under some psychological pressure. Alexander is a master with a capital letter, he knows how to handle himself in such situations. You have to watch your matches to see what works and what doesn’t. There are such series. But it is not easy to get out of the situation.
Ovechkin couldn’t lose his talent at any point. I watched several Washington games, he creates a lot of chances for his teammates. But at the same time, the puck doesn’t come to him as often as before. It depends a lot on the partners. Alexandre is a player who throws well, which means you need someone who will carry the projectiles. Apparently this person is no longer there. In principle, everyone knows how to play against Ovechkin, but last year it didn’t work out, he scored regularly.
Many points deserve attention. We don’t know what physical shape Ovechkin is in. Andrei Nikolishin said that in the summer he did not have the usual preparation for the season. If that’s the problem, it might be worth sacrificing a few games and trying to get back into shape. Maybe you should talk to the coach and find optimal playing combinations.
— Could chasing Gretzky’s record put additional pressure on Ovechkin?
“It’s been going on for three years now, it’s even become a habit, it’s just more and more intense every year. But that doesn’t change anything, you have to go out and show your game. It’s important to play as a team and pay attention to the overall result, not just chasing the record.
— There are sporting moments, and there are psychological moments. What unusual superstitions have you encountered for better performance?
“I think a conversation with an old friend might calm me down.” Someone goes to church.
In such cases, Vladimir Vasilyevich Krikunov advised the team to go to the club – to relax, but not to lose their ribs. Everyone has their own ways. Maybe you need to focus your attention on something else.
“There is no better exercise in hockey than running with balls”
— Krikunov, despite numerous interruptions in his coaching career, is back in business and has started his work at Dynamo St. Petersburg very well. Surprised by this?
— Firstly, he has enormous experience. He got many teams out of stuck situations. Who, if not Vladimir Vasilyevich, knows what to do, especially in VHL. U Krikunova the standards are of the highest level, he loves and knows how to work with young people. If the guys accept his demands and cope with the workload, the result will not disappear.
— Krikunov is associated with cylinders. It is believed that hockey players hate them, but what do you think of such training?
— When training with cylinders, the load is disproportionate to your physical condition. I saw how sick the guys felt, and I myself didn’t always feel good after such a workout. Everyone receives the same burden, you have to endure and show willpower.
But I will say that there is no better exercise than running with balls to develop leg strength in hockey: the biodynamics of the movement are correct. If you choose the load wisely and look at what time of the season you do it, then this is one of the best exercises for hockey players.
— Has Krikunov ever called on you for help at Dynamo?
– Yes, he is doing well without me.
— Maybe he will call you for the next pre-season to prepare the team?
“If he needs championship medals, I will definitely come.”
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.
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.
