“I want to develop Russian hockey. Lots of work.” Famous defender Andrei Markov is back in the game

This summer, Andrey Markov opened a new page in his fine hockey career. This time as a coach. Canada’s famous defender walked into Spartak’s headquarters. And for hockey fans, that’s great news, for someone, but Markov has something to share with the current generation of players.

Andrey flew abroad to become the champion of Russia as part of Dynamo. And then he spent 17 years in Montreal. At the same time, in 2008 he played for the Russian national team, which returned the gold of the world championships to our country after a 15-year break.

Periodically, Markov returned to Russia. And in lockout seasons, and at the very end of his playing career. Generally very successful. In 2005, he again became national champion with Dynamo. And in 2018 he helped Ak Bars win the Gagarin Cup.

In general, General Markov has a lot of combat experience. And it’s great that Andrey had the opportunity to pass it on.

“Over the past two years, I’ve started to look at hockey differently”

– Something you haven’t rested for long after a 25-year professional career. Did you miss hockey so quickly?

“So two years have already passed,” Andrey is sincerely surprised. – A good offer was received, but it was reviewed and accepted.

– That is to say that the initiative came from Spartak?

“I want to be a coach myself. Last year there was an attempt to start this business in Vityaz. It didn’t work there because of the well-known history with RUSADA. So now the interest was mutual, but Spartak took the initiative. The club management contacted me, but for sure the decision was taken with the participation of the head coach. Although we only meet Boris Mironov on the pitch, playing for different teams.

– How did RUSADA manage to disqualify you after the end of your playing career?

– It’s a very complicated story, where everyone had their own truth. RUSADA had her own opinion, and I had mine. A year ago, Yura Babenko offered me to work with him at Vityaz, and I even signed a contract, but I had to stop him.

– As far as I know, all these problems are already a thing of the past?

– Yes, I filed an appeal, it was examined and decided positively for me. Everything is behind.

– Why did you decide to become a coach, and not a hockey manager or official?

— I want to share my experience. It’s essential. But also, over the past two years, I realized that I was starting to look at hockey in a completely different way. Watching the matches, I started to notice details that, as a player, I hadn’t noticed. It turns out that from the side you can see, the picture is completely different. I became interested. I wanted to go deeper into the coaching, help the guys in some way. In general, I want to develop Russian hockey.

“I had two idols – Fetisov and Lemieux”

“It’s a very necessary subject. Because we have recently had great goalkeepers, there are famous strikers. But the defenders are still tight. By the way, can you explain why? What are our players missing? children ?

– Hockey itself is changing, becoming more mobile. Players and coaches need to rebuild. Therefore, I’m sure there are enough talented guys in Russia. You just have to work with them. Children don’t grow up like us. You have to pass some things on to them. First of all, the development of their career depends mainly on themselves. Themselves must want to move forward and improve their game. Both physically and technically. A lot of work.

– As for the generational difference, you’re on point. It even scares me personally when I see how modern children move less.

– Now there are a variety of digital technologies, which is very time-consuming for anyone. In our time, we went from school to training. They came to training – they went to the yard, where they played both football and basketball, all outdoor games. Now all this is reduced to a minimum. But there’s nowhere to go you kind of have to live with.

– Surely I will not be mistaken if I assume that in Spartak you will be responsible for defense?

– The team headquarters, as I understand it, has been formed. Everyone has their own role. Basically, I will work with defenders. Also work on the game of special teams. The majority and the minority are the most important element of modern hockey.

– Who was your childhood idol? And is there anyone among the coaches you unwittingly admire now?

– I had two idols. Among the defenders – Vyacheslav Fetisov. But since I started my career as a centre-forward, I’ve always loved Mario Lemieux. They are the two greatest hockey players that I have distinguished from the rest. As for the coaches, I had the opportunity to work with several good specialists both in Russia and in Canada. Among them I would single out Zinetula Khaidyarovich Bilyaletdinov. This coach really brought me a lot both in hockey and in life.

“I sometimes call Bilyaletdinov for advice”

– Did Bilyaletdinov influence your decision to become a coach?

– We keep in touch from time to time. Although rarely, but when I received serious offers in my career, I always called Zinetula Khaidyarovich – to consult. And he always supported me. He always told me to call and wasn’t shy if I needed to suggest something.

– Can you explain why Montreal traded Bilyaletdinov’s grandson, Sasha Romanov, to the Islanders?

“You have to be in the team for that. As far as I know, there is not a single Russian player left in the Montreal system. I do not know by what they are guided.

– How did you manage to play continuously for Montreal for 17 years? After all, this is a unique case!

– It’s just that everything in Montreal has always suited me. I still love this city and its team. There were times when I was able to enter the free agency market, but I never did. Because the club received an offer that suited me. I guess I just got lucky. The fact that the leaders of Montreal and its supporters have always treated me well. It is a great pleasure to play for so many years in the legendary Canadian club.

Do you stay in touch with Montreal?

– No, no one has contacted me from the club for a long time. But the friends stayed in the city. I contact them sometimes.

“I flew to Moscow after the season, and they say to me, ‘They came to you from the military registration and enlistment office.

– How realistic is it for a Russian coach to find a job in the NHL? Have you had such thoughts?

– Never say never. Although, given the current situation in the world, this is probably more difficult to do than before. And so there were examples. Fetisov as a coach even won the Stanley Cup. But you have to understand that in North America there are a lot of their own specialists who have spent many years in the NHL. And no less than those who are on the way. In the same place, the structure of hockey is much larger than ours. Lots of teams in the junior leagues, in the colleges… And everywhere, the players and the coaches are growing up. Therefore, NHL clubs focus more on their own personnel. To get there, you have to be an outstanding specialist in your field.

– And it’s good to know the whole structure of North American hockey?

– Sure. Here is an example of Seryoga Gonchar. The man has long played for Pittsburgh. After the end of his career, he remained working in the club structure and became a coach. That is, he perfectly knew the whole kitchen of the “penguins”, how everything is done there. And imagine a coach from Russia coming there. A lot of things would be out of the ordinary for him.

– Now many young players have problems with the draft board. Can you tell us how this was solved in your time, in the “frozen 90s”?

– I studied at the Malakhovka Institute, so I had a postponement of being drafted into the army. Then my child was born – again they gave a deadline. You just need to know the laws and not break them. Then I went to Montreal and played there.

– That is, the military registration and enlistment office did not look for you?

– I had an apartment in Moscow. There was a concierge grandmother sitting in the hallway. I remember one time when I flew to Moscow after the season, and she said to me, “You know, they came to you from the military registration and enlistment office.” I thought: interesting. But there were no more problems. How these problems are now solved, hockey players may know best. You have to study the laws, but here the agents have to help the guys or the managers of the clubs. For example, before, when people came to CSKA or Dynamo, they were enrolled in the army. I also had such an opportunity, but since I studied at the institute, I did not use it.

– Have you already started a real job in Spartak? Indeed, since Monday, the team has been organizing a development camp – only for young players of military age.

– Yes, the “pre-season” in Spartak has already started – the young people are training, everything is fine. They are already on the ice, rolling a bit. Work is gone.