Grigory Seleznyov: «I was incredibly happy!»
03.07.2024
There is less than a month left before the start of Neftekhimik's preseason training camp. Neftekhimik forward Grigory Seleznyov talks about how he spends his vacation and prepares for the training process.
“The vacation is going quite interestingly and productively,” says Neftekhimik forward. Right after the end of the season I went to Tambov – my hometown. Then I spend time with studies and successfully passed exams. Then my girlfriend and I flew to Thailand and Turkey. From mid-May I began to prepare for the season. I work out a lot in the gym.– You joined Neftekhimik during the season. How did you find out that a KHL club was going to sign a contract with you?
– I started the season quite well in Izhevsk. After the first month of the VHL championship, I received offers from different clubs. I decided that continuing my career in Nizhnekamsk would be the best option.
– You scored your first KHL goal in the second game. The team played against Avangard. Do you remember the emotions you had?
– I remember my emotions very well after the first goal, I was incredibly happy! After all, I spent my entire career striving for this. I remember how, before the start of the game, Vladimir Bryukvin told me on the bench: “You will score today, believe m!”
– Young players who score a debut goal, as a rule, take the puck. Did you get that puck?
– Yes, after the game in the locker room Oleg Yurievich (Leontyev – head coach) congratulated me and handed me a signed puck. Now I have it at home with all other important things that are connected with my career.
– When you joined Neftekhimik, the team was in a slight decline. How did the team overcome that crisis?
– I cannot say that it was a recession, I was just a little unlucky. We lost a lot of games either in overtime or while leading during the game. But at the end of December we won two very important games in Vladivostok, which, it seems to me, contributed to our further victories.
– The NHL season recently ended. The final turned out to be quite spectacular; everything was decided in the seventh game. Do you generally follow this league?
– I actively follow and am interested in the NHL. Every morning I start with looking at the results of the games, how many points this or that player scored. I often watch game reviews. I like to watch such players as: Artemi Panarin, Kirill Kaprizov, Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid. Looking at them, I want to strive for the same level and professionalism.
– What goals do you set for yourself in the upcoming season?
– For me, the main task is to improve my skills. I also need to gain a foothold in the first team, consistently score points and contribute to the team. In general, do everything so that we win.
Daniyar Denisov
