Ansar Shaikhmeddenov: "It's time to score my first goal for Barys".

Barys forward Ansar Shaikhmeddenov recalled the best moments of the last season and talked about his preparation for the upcoming game period.

- Ansar, last season was very eventful for you. Most importantly, you made your KHL debut, how does it feel?

- It feels very positive. The KHL is another level, that's what I've been striving for since I was a kid. And I would like to thank the coaches for their trust, for the fact that they allowed to prove myself and debut in the League for Barys.

- Is the level much different?

- This level, of course, is different. Everything is much faster, the players are big and strong, you have to make decisions quickly, always give your best everywhere. Right from the training camp, I realized that this is another level altogether. There are different speeds on the ice, you have to do everything faster, you have to throw harder.

- Which moment did you like best?

- I liked my debut, of course. It was the first game of the season against Salavat Yulaev. I wouldn't say we performed well then, but it was a crowded arena, I had a lot of emotion. The most positive moment was during the playoffs. When I stepped on the ice, there was an almost full house, and when I touched the puck or went into the zone, I could feel the strong support of the stands. I had goosebumps all over my body even though the game was going on.

- And what about World Youth Championship? Could our team have performed better?

- At the World Youth Championship, we did not show what we wanted, it didn't work out. The responsibility for this lies entirely with us. I was the captain of the team and one of the oldest, I had to lead the team. I worked on my mistakes so that next time at world level tournaments this would not happen again. I think the young guys have learned how to perform and I hope they play a lot better this year and get into the elite division. I would not say that our team is weaker than the other teams physically or technically. The problem is in our heads, I would say. They come out ready, but we come in, first you have to get into the game, get a feel for it, and only then we start playing our hockey. At first we don't know what to expect from the teams. Those hockey players play in different countries, they have a lot of experience in international competitions, and that's exactly what we lack.

- How was your summer?

- I had a great summer, went on vacation with friends, dealt with my studies, and closed all my debts. I visited my home, helped my parents, and saw all my relatives. In general, I spent the time as useful as possible.

- You did well in various tests at youth camp. What made it happen?

- A month before the training camp I began to prepare for the season. Andrei Viktorovich Kisel, a Physical Training Coach at our Children's and Youth Sports School, has been helping me with this for three or four years now, compiling a program for me. Thanks to this I feel great during all the tests in the training camp, I do not even want to change anything, I just add ice trainings and that's it. This year I went ice training with Nikita Mikhailis, Valera Orekhov and Kirill Savitsky. So, in principle, I was in good shape for the training camp.

- Let's focus separately on the Beep Test. You had the second best result in the club. Did you prepare for it separately, or do you just like to run?

- The Beep Test is a general endurance test. I run track two or three times a week. I also think that the fact that this is the second year I've been in Almaty in the mountains helps me. I have always had the Beep Test at this level, running all the way to the end until they stop me.

- Has the team managed to get used to the new coaching staff?

- I think the team got used to it. The coaching staff immediately outlined their requirements. Everyone tries to meet these requirements, and they help us all the time.

- Andrey Vladimirovich notes that the task is to bring as many young Kazakhstani players as possible to the first team. Are there any special requirements for you?

- Yeah, we're probably required to do a little more: think faster, listen attentively. Concentration and proper understanding of the coach's tasks is important here, I think they pay attention to that.

- Training camp is a time of serious stress. How do you cope with it?

- This year's training camp is hard, in general there is always a serious load at the training camps. The most important thing here is to recover, the right regimen, the right diet, and everything will be fine.

- Ahead are two tournaments in Nur-Sultan and Chelyabinsk. The opponents will be very strong teams. Do you think such matches will allow you to fully prepare for the season?

- Of course, the tournaments are very good, the opponents are decent. We can see where we need to improve and where we are losing ground. We will work to prepare for the season in the best possible way. I think these tournaments will be enough.

- Does the fact that Pavel Akkolzin, Alexei Maklyukov, and now Valera Orekhov also play for Metallurg adds to the courage?

- I don't know Pasha and Alexei personally, but we are in touch with Valera. Of course, it will be crucial if I play and Valera is on the ice. I would like to score on this match or interfere with him in some way, maybe do a power play, to discuss it together after the game. But, first of all, we are principled to win.

- Did you have time to study the calendar for the KHL season? We have a record number of matches coming up.

- Yes, I saw that there would be more matches this year. In Khabarovsk and Vladivostok we will play four games in five days. That's why we're working at the training camp, to be ready for such games, to cope with the loads. There we will see who was preparing for the season. And in general, for me, as a young player, the more practice, the better it will be. It's good for progress.

- What are your goals for the new season?

- The goal is to get a foothold in the first team, to win a place in the squad, not only as a temporary, but as a key player. I also want to spend more time on the ice, play and be of maximum use to the team. It's time to score my first goal for Barys in the KHL, record the points and enter the national team at the end of the season.

General Partner of Barys HC - SWF Samruk Kazyna JSC

Partner of the Barys HC - Tourism and Sports Industry Support Fund

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