Meet Maxim Pavlenko

The Press Service of Barys continues to get acquainted with young players from the club's system, who can make their debut in adult teams next season.

Goaltender Maxim Pavlenko made his YHL debut with Snezhnye Barsy last season, spending more than a thousand minutes of playing time on the ice and beating back almost 500 puck rushes. He also made a serious contribution to the winning of gold medals by the Barys youth team in Jastar Kazakhstan Youth Cup.

The sportsman spoke about the difficulties of goalkeeping, recalled the most interesting trip and outlined a goal for the near future.

- Maxim, let's start with a standard question. How did you get into hockey and why did you become a goaltender?

- In Pavlodar, I live opposite the Ice Palace. In general, I liked hockey since I was a child, as far back as I went to the kindergarten. I constantly went to Irtysh matches and always watched the actions of the goaltender, repeated his movements. But I didn't dare go to hockey. Then, when I went to school, there were a few guys who played hockey. They persuaded me, I went and signed up for the section.

- There is an opinion that goaltenders are a separate caste.

- That's what skaters mostly say (laughs). If you just do something wrong, everyone scream to you: "The goaltender!"

- Do you have an idol in the goalie shop?

- There are many good goaltenders in modern hockey, but I don't have an idol as such. I try to constantly watch highlights on the Internet, take something good from everyone.

- Legendary goalie Ron Hextall was not averse to throwing off his gloves or hitting someone with a hockey-stick. Have you ever had a time in your life when you wanted to yell at somebody of your partners or rivals?

- I never scolded my teammates. There are coaches for this, and they evaluate the actions of players, and they can yell. We often grapple with the rivals, but it usually doesn't go beyond verbal sparring.

- What is the hardest thing about being a goaltender?

- During the game, you must constantly monitor everything, constantly turn your head. See where other team attackers are going to, whether our defencemen are following them. The goalie should see the whole picture on the ice arena and, if possible, help his own team.

- In September 2019, you became the best goaltender of the first ever Kazakhstan Youth Cup. What emotions did you experience then?

- I was very happy at the time that I received this award. It was the first time in my life that I was awarded as the best goalie. I wish we could have won the Cup. But at the end of the season we won the championship with confidence.

- Did you expect that this season you will be called up to Snezhnye Barsy, and you will get quite a lot of playing time?

- Yes, the invitation was expected for me. I wasn't sure I would get that much playing time. But the coaching staff trusted me.

- You and a few other guys born in 2002 were part of the team at the World Junior Championship in the Czech Republic. What did you remember about this elite championship?

- I even got dressed a couple of times, but I didn't go out on the ice (smiles). I think it would be hard for me personally to play against older guys. There are completely different speeds, different puck rushes. This is especially evident from the outside. I liked the atmosphere, almost full stands. In the match against Slovakia, they had great support.

- Last season, many young guys from the club's system began to be attracted to adult teams. Have you followed their progress?

- Of course I did. It's always interesting to see how your friends are doing on another level. It is interesting how the transition from youth hockey to adult hockey happens.

- At the beginning of July, you were supposed to take part in the Barys youth camp. Were you ready for such a challenge?

- It was unexpected for me. But I was ready for it. Moreover, last year I also had a training camp with the first team at the Michurino base. We all understand that it's time to grow, and this youth camp is a great opportunity for all the guys to prove themselves.

- Let's get away from hockey a little bit. Tell me, what do you do in your free time?

- I don't have a hobby as such. During the season, when moving, I mostly read books. In summer, it rarely works. But I can go to a bookstore and see the latest stuff. Now I started reviewing good old movies: "Green book", "Brother", "Boomer". And so, mostly, I walk with my girlfriend. Sometimes I can play Counter Strike. I also go to the village, help my grandmother, there is always something to do. When there's nothing else to do, I can go fishing. In sports terms, I participate in a running marathon. And now I am actively engaged in the coaching program, preparing for the season.

- How are things going with your studies?

- This year I finished the 11th grade. I didn't go to school all year because of training and trips. When distance learning started due to the coronavirus, I started learning (laughs). It even worked well. Now I am preparing to enter the Siberian State University of Physical Culture and Sports in Omsk.

- What would you do if you didn't become a hockey player?

- I can't even imagine my life without hockey yet. I've done football and swimming before, it wasn't my thing.

- Thanks to your hockey career, you have been traveling a lot since your childhood. What trip was most memorable?

- In 2017, we went to the Select tournament in the United States with Barys youth team. I remember it was held in Philadelphia. Good arrangement, good games, there was something to see. We looked at a completely different world, it's not even Europe. We got an interesting experience.

- Hockey players in ordinary life and on the ice often use nicknames. Do you have such a sports nickname? Tell us about the most interesting nicknames in Snezhnye Barsy team.

- Well, I have everything simple, the nickname from my last name - Pavlin (Peacock in English). As for the guys, now our line-up will change, so I will not name anyone yet. In the season, then, remind me of this question, maybe I will tell you about someone (smiles).

- Tell me, what is your main goal in hockey? And is there any dream outside of hockey?

- I don't think about anything outside of hockey yet. The main goal is to get into the NHL draft while I'm passing according to my age. Trying to play in the NHL, I think, this is the dream of every young hockey player. Now I want to benefit the teams from the Barys system regardless of the team I will play in.

Maxim Pavlenko

Date of birth: June 4, 2002

Citizenship: Kazakhstan

Role: Goaltender

Catch glove: left

Height: 193 cm

Weight: 80 kg

General partner of Barys HC - Samruk Kazyna SWF JSC

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