Avangard’s leading scorer and league-leading sniper Reed Boucher, recently giving an interview to bluntly stated: “Our best player is Vladimir Tkachev. And how serious it is that he got injured in training! The whole team wishes him good health.
A torn Achilles during preseason is something you wouldn’t wish on your enemy. Omsk was shocked to lose its virtuoso striker Tkachev for several months. He won’t be back in action until 2025.
But on Wednesday, Vladimir flew to his hometown and looked into the Avangard dressing room after the victory over Barys (4:3, extra time). Tkachev was on crutches, his right leg tightly wrapped in an orthopedic boot. The whole team warmly welcomed their friend, and Boucher, himself now injured, looked behind the door: “Hello, Vladdy!”
took a moment to speak with Tkachev about what happened to him.
“But I’m already in great shape!”
— You’re back with Avangard. Is it good to see the guys?
— I really missed the team atmosphere, which can’t be replaced by anything. Everything is fine, I’m back home!
— You arrived on Wednesday by plane from Moscow. The first stage of recovery after the operation is over. Did you have to stay immobile in bed after the Achilles tear?
“I could move, of course.” But it was not desirable to get up. And you are right, the first stage went very well. God grant that everything goes as planned.
– How did you get this injury?
— I did an exercise. Figuratively speaking, I did it twice. And then I wanted to do it twice more – this time after training. And lo and behold, on the last try, it happened.
— Are you pushing from one place?
– Like yes, the first steps of departure when we work on speed.
– No luck!
“If this happens, it means we will come back stronger.”
— Have you ever thought about lighting a candle in church? Then come out of nowhere.
— There were such dark thoughts, of course. And the most annoying thing is that I prepared for the season very seriously. I trained for two months and felt that I was in great shape. And then during the last training session, such a terrible thing happened. But that’s life, what can you do?
“I am very grateful that Avangard supported me”
— Is there a system in Russia, like in the NHL, where your contract is insured in case of injury?
“I will not explain these nuances to you clearly.” But I know that if you get such an injury outside the club, even in training, then everything depends on your team. And Avangard fully supported me and did not impose any penalties. For this I am very grateful, especially to the leadership of the “falcons”. And of course, the fans who strongly supported me wrote me a lot of kind words. I also answer them: “We will come back and become even better.”
— It was striking that when you appeared on the scoreboard in the match against Barys, the whole stadium started applauding you.
“You can’t imagine how happy I was!” Such support and warmth from the fans gives me the strength I need during my recovery.
— Is it scary to have surgery and be under general anesthesia?
– This is the first time this has happened to me. So you’re right, that feeling was there. But not direct fear, but a nagging feeling of the unknown. You don’t understand how everything is going to happen.
But doctors are masters of their craft, they did everything right. I fell asleep, then I woke up and I don’t remember anything.
— It is very important not to rush back to avoid a relapse. Do you agree?
– Of course, relapses happen, no one is safe from this, nor from the injuries themselves. But it is good that in hockey the foot is held in the skate, and this “glass” will protect it. Therefore, I do not worry at all, I do not even think about anything bad. Nothing can be ruled out, but I hope that it will not happen.
As for the return, the body will let you know everything. We will start from what we feel.
— Maybe you should make a skate with a reinforced “cup” to better protect the Achilles tendon?
– It is not necessary. When you tighten the skate, your leg is already fixed. You can simply vary the lacing, depending on whether you fix your leg tightly or loosen it a little. And additional protection is hardly necessary.
“I do not rule out the possibility of traveling abroad to get treatment”
— How do you like the depth of the Avangard team? After all, there is neither you nor Reed Boucher in the first link. But Alexey Makeev and Alexander Yaremchuk are trying to show themselves – and they were beaten by Barys in a friendly match.
— Yes, everything is fine with the depth of our team. The guys need some time to play together and find their “chemistry”. I’m sure the guys will be fine. And then we’ll be back. Also, the regular season is now a month longer.
— What did you discuss with Boucher? He was also unexpectedly injured.
— We met well, now we met again after the match against Barys. I was working on my leg, I have a very long recovery ahead of me. But Reed and I had a very warm meeting. I am happy for him that he is also being treated as expected. I think we will see him on the ice soon.
— Bush said he would recover in Russia. What about you?
— I will also be treated in Omsk for three weeks. And then maybe we will make some changes.
— Our level of medicine is such that it is not necessary to take a plane to rehabilitate in Germany?
“I do not exclude the possibility that I may also go there for a stage of treatment.” But there are very good doctors in Russia, there is no doubt about that.
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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.
