Ilgiz Nuriev: “We want to win, for this we lay a good foundation”

On August 20, a press conference before the start of the Olimpbet Junior Hockey League 2024/2025 season took place in Minsk. The head coach of JHC Taifun Ilgiz Nuriev and sports director of HC Admiral Pavel Zhitkov took part in the meeting.
- Ilgiz Ravilevich, you have already mentioned that the main goal is to train players for the main team. What tasks come next?
Ilgiz Nuriev:
Like any team, we want to win, for this we lay a good foundation.
The guys are doing well, they cope with the loads and approach the trainings with the right attitude. Long flights await us in the future, and we work hard now in order to look competitive and win.
- Pavel Ilyich, how often does the junior team interact with Admiral? And what do they especially do?
Pavel Zhitkov:
I was appointed last season, the team was already formed, and I didn't have enough time and opportunity to change anything. I didn't know the hockey players well. This summer I went to the training camp with the youth team and spent 13 days with the guys. I was watching the training process, evaluating the players. We all participate in the selection process together. This season we attract a lot of players to watch, to create a competitive environment. I will explain why we do it. As you remember, our team finished in the second last place. We don't have our own school, which can provide great support to the junior team, like in big clubs. We choose players from the second and third lines. Of course, while we are in Minsk, we try to see more players, because the trip to Vladivostok is very expensive, besides, no one can guarantee that a kid will get into the team. Now we have created a good competitive environment. There are interesting players this season. Five hockey players have already been included in the roster. Anton Shkolny had the longest training camp with Admiral, took part in a game, passed the tests at the top level among adult players. With the right attitude, this guy has a great future.  
- For now, is the roster ready? Maybe any percentage?
Pavel Zhitkov:
The main squad has already been formed, but the process of formation is still ongoing. We take young guys with prospects for the future. The task of the junior team is to prepare at least one player who will be able to reach the level of the main team.
- Most of the preseason training is over, what have you had time to work on? What will be the focus of the remaining part?
Ilgiz Nuriev:
We will devote the rest of the time mainly to tactical aspects. We wanted to give the team intensive loads - we did it. Once again, the guys are great, they’ve coped with these loads. They approached the work in the right way and with a good mood, maybe that's why the work was a little bit easier for them.
- Can we say that Taifun is ready for the start of the season in terms of physics and psychology, or are there still some nuances?
Ильгиз Нуриев:
Ilgiz Nuriev:
It will become clear in the games, but through training we try to give our guys confidence, raise their self-esteem so they realize that every player in the team can decide the outcome of the whole match. We try to convey this through training and games. It is important to understand the unity of the team, to fight for every opportunity, to win every single game and live it through.
- Was there any psychological progress after the test games?
Ilgiz Nuriev:
In most matches we had different captains and their assistants. We did it so that the guys felt what responsibility was. I'm glad that some of them were able to prove themselves, and we saw leaders capable of leading the team at the right time. For example, Roma Trofimov started training camp in the sixth line, and at the last game against Krylia Sovetov, which we won, he was the captain and was leading the team. We need the right leaders who can motivate others by their own example and unite the team.
- You’ve mentioned captains and assistants, have you decided who in the team will play in which position?
Ilgiz Nuriev:
All five games we were watching the way guys behave in a stressful situation. We liked this experiment, we saw who of the guys is ready to take responsibility and lead the others.
Pavel Zhitkov:
Last season the team fell apart when we conceded a goal. This year we are trying to change the situation. We explain the players that they need to fight until the end and live through every game, completely changing their psychology. We take the players out of their comfort zone, including local players, make competition among them: we have guys born in 2007, they are young and brash, hockey bold. Everyone is working hard, holding on to a place in the lineup.
- Pavel Ilyich, you said that many guys from Taifun are being considered for Admiral in the future. Under this system, what kind of result would be considered a success?
Pavel Zhitkov:
We are planning to create a competitive team. We don’t want to be whipping boys, games with whom are won in absentia. It is important for us to create problems for other teams and develop at the same time. We have not yet reached the level to buy hockey players from children's schools in the JHL. Of course, it would be great, but what we have what we have. We select players from the second and third lines.
It should be noticed that this increases the percentage of mistakes, because these are already eliminated players. But we will strive to improve the game, considering the available resources.
- Ilgiz Ravilevich, did you have an opportunity to study the calendar more closely? Perhaps, you’ve been discussing it with the coaching staff? Can you comment on this?
Ilgiz Nuriev:
Yes, we have studied the calendar, in general, it is optimal, there are no difficulties, only balance. It suits us.
- Ilgiz Ravilevich, when you joined the team, you mentioned that you knew the team coaches - Mikhail Zlobin and Denis Cherepanov in absentia, Alexander Kozhevnikov joined the team later, what is the atmosphere in the staff like? Who is responsible for what aspect?
Ilgiz Nuriev:
Yes, indeed, I know the coaching staff from the times when I was a player myself. The atmosphere in the team is working. Mikhail Zlobin is mainly responsible for forwards, Alexander Kozhevnikov is focused on defensemen, Denis Cherepanov deals with goalies.
Indeed, we have a good atmosphere.
- Do you think the guys feel it?
Ilgiz Nuriev:
We've been together at training camp for a month and a half, we're constantly communicating. I think it only helps the guys. At the meetings we don't just give instructions as coaches, but also share stories from our personal game experience. They need not only demands and criticism, but also help and advice.
- What is the ideal teamwork for you? What expectations do you personally have from the upcoming season?
Ilgiz Nuriev:  
It is important to unite a team that will pursue a common goal. Once again, we need strong leaders for this. We need to get motivation not from external factors, but from within. We will help in this as coaches.
- What results of the junior team will be considered successful this season?
Pavel Zhitkov:
Of course, victories. I want to see the team fighting until the end, regardless of the result, I want to see the character of the players. We want to see someone shining in the first team, especially when there are some interesting guys.