Andrei Mironov was born in Moscow, grew up in the Dynamo Moscow school, played in the KHL since 2012 and even won the Gagarin Cup with the Blue and White when the team was led by Oleg Znarok.
And then in the offseason it thundered that the captain of Dynamo Moscow was moving to Spartak. This has already been discussed, we will not return to it. But let me draw your attention to the fact that Spartak now occupies the first place in the championship, and Mironov himself is gaining points in all matches. In other words, Andrey fits perfectly into the new club!
In an interview with , the 30-year-old defender admitted that during the pre-season he learned a lot of new things from the red-white coaches, commented on the appointment of Oleg Znark in Philadelphia and also said that none of the athletes he knew criticized him for moving from Dynamo to Spartak.
“Spartak coaches help me a lot”
— Do you remember the last time you scored points in five consecutive games?
– No. It probably never happened in my career. I don’t even remember it.
— What has changed in your game compared to Dynamo Moscow?
– Now I play for the “red-whites”.
– And in more detail?
— The playing time has increased, most of them let me out. Spartak is performing well…
— You came first in the championship.
— The partners are good, the staff trusts me. Yes, everything is there. There is no specific factor. Well, the style of play is different between Spartak and Dynamo. You see it yourself when you watch matches.
— I am glad that you are breaking the stereotype that Andrei Mironov only knows how to hit and does not score points?
“It’s good that in someone’s eyes I’m becoming a different defender.” I’m happy that the performances are increasing.
— Igor Ulanov, head of the defenders, works more with you?
— I am in contact with all the coaches. Each one tells you what to do in the majority, in the minority, in equal composition. They give advice on defenders and tactics. There is no such thing as a coach being responsible for one direction, but not giving advice in others. It is a team effort.
— Alexey Zhamnov and Alexey Kovalev were outstanding strikers. Do they enrich you with their knowledge?
– Yes, of course. I learned a lot from them during the pre-season. They have a lot of experience behind them. People know such nuances that it is difficult to guess them on your own.
— You have been playing hockey for a long time. Is it really possible to surprise you with something?
– As much as possible. I will not talk about these nuances in front of the camera. Let him stay within the team. Why should I teach someone?
“The sign will help Michkov a lot in Philadelphia”
— Do you go to Spartak football matches?
— I know that the guys from the Spartak hockey team are friends with the footballers. I haven’t been able to go out yet. I was focused on training, preparing for the season. Maybe I’ll go soon – just in time for the Spartak – Dynamo derby. Why not?
— Did you see how MakSim sang at the football stadium?
– Yes, very cool. I was impressed! I also remember the Russian Cup match, when Dynamo played with Spartak. Then Lyusya Chebotina sang, then MakSim, and the palace was full. It was just space! Dimka Vishnevsky and I sat in front of the TV and watched this show.
— This hockey Spartak is distinguished by a good selection of center forwards. How does this affect the game?
– So that’s good. The team management did a great job! There’s nothing to add here. Great guys who not only create chances in attack and score goals, but also help in defense.
— How do you find Adam Ruzicka?
— I help him, he learns Russian. Learns one or two new words every day. Well, Shane Prince already speaks Russian perfectly.
— When there was a match against Dynamo in the Mayor’s Cup, did you have the feeling that out of habit you wanted to go to the “blue and white” bench?
— First of all, I didn’t play that game. Secondly, okay, what are you talking about? I’m already 30 years old. What foreign shop? Just for fun, even just to say hello?
— The big news is that Oleg Znarok has started working in Philadelphia. Are you surprised?
– No. Why should I be surprised? Great coach, great person. I never doubted him. I think that, first of all, Znarok will greatly help the Russians from the Flyers. And there is goalkeeper Ivan Fedotov, defender Yegor Zamula and forward Matvey Michkov. Oleg Valerievich will share his knowledge. He will guide them in the right direction, especially young Michkov, who has not yet made his debut in the NHL. And somewhere he can give a blow so that the star fever is not caught.
— You yourself, I remember, made your way into the Colorado team.
— And it’s very important when you have a Russian-speaking friend nearby who will advise and help you. And it doesn’t matter who it is: a player, a coach, a massage therapist. Still, it’s an outlet when you can just sit down and talk in your native language.
— You saw Michkov in our league. What kind of player do you think Philadelphia has?
— A good hockey player with character. Inflexible. I think he will succeed if he works, tries and listens to Oleg Valerievich. Well, Znarok will take care of him, I am sure. Therefore, I wish him only success and avoid injuries. I will keep an eye on him and it will be very interesting to see how Michkov’s career in the NHL will develop.
“None of the athletes I know have said I’m some kind of monster”
— Did you manage to cross paths with Alexander Ovechkin this summer?
– We met at the “Match of the Year”. We talked there.
— What did Ovi tell you about the transition from Dynamo to Spartak?
– Let’s keep this between us!
– In other words, he swore.
– Yes, of course, he reacted to my transition! After all, he also seems to be part of the Dynamo management. I told him that too. The conversation turned out to be, let’s say, emotional.
Well, how could Sanya and I not talk about it? We have known each other for over a year. I simply cannot give all the details of the conversation.
– Did he at least cheer you up?
– Yes, everything is fine! None of the athletes I know have said that I am some kind of monster and that I made the wrong decision.
— If Ovechkin arrives in the KHL in two years, will he be able to play…
– At Spartak?
– Well, why not? Good option. But I’m talking about: can he play like he did in Washington?
– What can stop him?
— The fact that none of those who came from the NHL are spectacular yet. It is difficult to adapt to the style of the KHL, where there are a lot of hitches and delays.
— Everyone adapts individually. Well, I’m not worried about Sasha at all. I’m sure he can play. Yes, he will calmly get used to our hockey! But first let him break Gretzky’s record. Why are we talking about his return to the KHL? Let’s support Ovechkin, discuss less and passionately support him so that all this happens. And then we will congratulate him all together, the whole country.
— It’s good that you stayed in Moscow when you changed clubs, isn’t it?
– Well, what did you think? It’s a huge bonus. There’s no need to move anywhere. I have a life and a family here. Family comes first, of course. It was a priority.
I think everyone wants to play at home. And this is Moscow! I grew up here. This is my city.
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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.
