Athletistic/Hockey. First Vice-President of the Russian Hockey Federation, SKA head coach Roman Rotenberg spoke about the reasons for the creation of the Russian national under-25 team.

Kozhevnikov connected the empty stands of the MFM-2022 with the absence of the Russian team from the tournament

“Firstly, we have no right to give up under sanctions. Hockey Russia loves competitions with the participation of our teams – and together with our key partner, Norilsk Nickel, we do everything so that fans have the opportunity to watch matches and competitions with national teams.

We are doing our best to maintain the country’s interest in the performances of the national teams. And here all ideas, all experiences are good.

Secondly, tournaments with the participation of young stars are very popular in Russia. Every year the Youth World Championship has very high ratings. But the public also perceives the other tournaments with a bang. From the point of view of extension, everything is obvious. Any format to attract viewers is good. And hockey played by gifted young guys is always a great show, emotions, motivation.

If we talk about the development of young players, it is a large, responsible and complex process. And we see that the work of the team of young stars can make this process more efficient. Gifted and talented guys love to play for the national team.

It often happens that they, inspired by the call to the national team, start playing at a very high level. It turns out a symbiosis, a situation where everyone wins. Fans – a spectacle, players – a new leap in their career, the team has a result.

Slovak Slafkowski would never have become the first draft pick if he hadn’t managed to brilliantly use his chances at the Beijing Olympics,” Rotenberg said as quoted by RBC Sport.

Kozhevnikov – about Rotenberg: “We should not attack him, but support him. Envy is not a very good thing!”