The 27-year-old center forward has signed a new contract with “Amur” and became a guest of Russia-Hockey.ru

Alexander Kuznetsov: “Hockey is the number one sport in the Far East”

NOW I HAVE FRIENDS AND RELATIVES BOTH IN KHABAROVSK AND VLADIVOSTOK

 

- Why didn’t you delay the signing of a new contract

- Although I was born in Moscow, I feel very comfortable in the Far East. I have made friends and relatives in the recent years both in Khabarovsk and Vladivostok. An offer from “Amur” came immediately after the championship was over, everything happened quickly and clearly - according to the Rules. We discussed the terms of the contract with the family and the agent and the decision was made.

 

- Are you satisfied with the past season (34 games, 2 goals, 5 points, average playing time - 12 minutes)?

- No, I am not. The championship began with an injury, it took me long time to recover. I came back closer to winter time and tried to focus on teamwork - to catch the puck, play shorhanded. The main thing was the result of “Amur”, but my personal statistics should be improved too - to play more, assist and score.

 

- In this respect, does the season that you played for “Admiral” three years ago with your 17 assists and 10 goals, remain a guideline for you?

- Yes, it does, I consider that year to be indicative for myself – I' d played through the entire championship, there were no injuries, I regularly went out on the ice. There is something to strive for and something to improve.

 

HOCKEY IS THE NUMBER ONE SPORT IN THE FAR EAST

 

- How did you feel about the decision of “Admiral” to skip the KHL season?

- Thanks to Vyacheslav Fetisov and Alexander Mogilny, who once launched the project “Admiral”, Vladivostok became the same hockey city as Khabarovsk. Honestly, it is very disappointing for the Far Eastern players and fans.

You need to understand that with all the love for the “puck," football is still the number one sport in our capitals, and as for the Far East, hockey is the most popular sport here. Therefore, people are very worried about the decision to withdraw “Admiral”.

 

- Some Amur fans suggested that “Admiral” was dismissed due to the fact that it had lost to Khabarovsk in the Far Eastern series for the first time in the history of the KHL. What do you think?

- The Far Eastern derby is very important for the region, we really did it well. But the final result of the seasonal derby is in no way connected with the decision of “Admiral”. I think this is more of a joke. On the contrary, all Amur fans were upset that the main rival of Khabarovsk left the League.

 

“AMUR” KNOWS NOT ONLY THE HOCKEY CALENDAR, BUT THE CHURCH CALENDAR TOO

 

- Are you in the Far East now?

- No, I am in Moscow, but I’m in touch with Khabarovsk. “Amur” is in the process of selection now, the team is actively signing contracts, all is according to the plan.

 

- How is your self-isolation going?

- Everything is strict in the capital. We are staying at home, I am trying not to lose shape.

 

- Do you have to miss the Easter service?

- In this regard, “Amur” has a special atmosphere, the leadership and many hockey players are familiar not only with the hockey calendar, but also with the church one. Each season begins and ends with a thanksgiving prayer, the club actively helps people who find themselves in a difficult situation.

I hope that I will still have the opportunity to visit the Church on Easter. If the terms of self-isolation do not allow to do this, then I will have a big holiday at home.

 

Source: Russia-Hockey.ru