Igor Grishin: «The guys are trying and working hard»
29.07.2026
Neftekhimik Head Coach Igor Grishin speaks with the media after a following 4–1 win over HC Chelny.
– This was our first game, and our roster was quite a young one. Of course, we got help from the main roster: Seleznyov, Tochilkin, Khoruzhev, and Khairullin. Overall, there were a lot of young players on the ice. We haven't worked together for very long, but the guys are trying and working hard, and today they did everything they were asked to do. I liked the hockey for the first game – it was fun, interesting, and there were a lot of fans. Thanks to them for supporting both our team and the opposing team. A win is always nice, especially since the guys showed some good moments. That was also encouraging.
– Essentially, the players had only recently come together and hadn't really had time to find chemistry. How did you manage to beat your opponent?
– Probably due to their overall skill level we managed to do that. Especially the guys from Neftekhimik's main roster – they made a significant contribution today, including on the power play. Our goalies also played well: Matvei Botov had a good game, and Semyon Lyubalin, who played in the third period, also had a good game.
– Half the team is made up of young players from Reaktor. How would you rate the way they played?
– As I said, half the roster was from the youth team. We kept an eye on these guys all last season, getting them involved in training whenever possible, and this season we've been working seriously with them for over a week now. The guys are working selflessly, responsibly, and diligently – trying to prove their readiness. They played well today and did what was asked of them.
– Essentially, the players had only recently come together and hadn't really had time to find chemistry. How did you manage to beat your opponent?
– Probably due to their overall skill level we managed to do that. Especially the guys from Neftekhimik's main roster – they made a significant contribution today, including on the power play. Our goalies also played well: Matvei Botov had a good game, and Semyon Lyubalin, who played in the third period, also had a good game.
– Half the team is made up of young players from Reaktor. How would you rate the way they played?
– As I said, half the roster was from the youth team. We kept an eye on these guys all last season, getting them involved in training whenever possible, and this season we've been working seriously with them for over a week now. The guys are working selflessly, responsibly, and diligently – trying to prove their readiness. They played well today and did what was asked of them.
