ILDAR SHIKSATDAROV : “We've had our ups and downs during this season”

-How did you prepare for this season? In compare with the season before, were there any changes?

- I think that I prepared in the same way as all the other guys from the team. For three years practiced with the same coach, and this year I decided to start training with a new coach from Canada. It seemed to me that this would give me something new for myself in the training and preparatory process. Of course, each coach has his own vision of training. Anyway, I got a good experience.

-This season, «Neftekhimik» updated its roster. New goaltending line and new players. Did it take a long to find chemistry between players?

- Due to the fact that we played in different teams, we got acquainted before. That is why it was not hard to become a team. Our coaching staff helped us by creating a good atmosphere inside the team.

- This season, you increased your stats. Was it due to more on ice time?

- It seems to me that if you give a lot of time to any player, sooner or later he shows best result. A player has to earn this on ice time.

"We've had our ups and downs"

- We asked our fans to tell us what they remembered the most this season. 10 wins in a row, making playoffs at the end of the regular season... What do you remember the most?

First of all, 10 winsin a row! It was great! We set a new record of «Neftekhimik». Mass media began to talk about «Neftekhimik». We beat leaders of the conferences one by one, made two comebacks .... It will be great to set a new record in the upcoming season.

Making playoffs is also a great thing! There were such emotions, especially in the second game against «Amur»: Ryasa’s goal, Matt White’s shootout in OT - at such moments it was clear that we were fighting side-by-side. We were one team, a family. Probably, these emotions were one of the most memorable in my hockey career.

- So, playoffs… How did you get to know that the team went to the next stage? What emotions did you feel at that moment?

- Pretty simple ... After the game, we went to the airport and watched the live broadcast of the «Dinamo» Riga -«Kunlun Red Star» game. We all were happy. We've had our ups and downs during this season.

- Is it right to say that «Neftekhimik» got a lack of emotions for the first round of playoffs?

- I do not agree. We had enough time to rest after hard games, get some energy for upcoming games. We fought to the very end. Everyone saw it. Perhaps, we got a lack of luck and a lack of experience.

- Which of the teams would you like to face in the first round instead of «Ak Bars»?

-«Traktor»!

- Why?

- In fact, I would like to play against Sasha Avtsin (ex-player of «Neftekhimik») (laughs).

- What kind of the mood did you have on March 8 after fourth game?

- It was kind of devastation. It was very disappointing that everything ended so quickly. It took a long time to make playoffs. I was upset, the whole team was.

“If you do what you like, you are a happy person”

- Now the season is over. We knew what happened in the world. Perhaps, you changed some plans…

- After the playoffs we were given some time to relax. Here, I went for a rest of four days. It seems that I have to spend the whole summer in the summer cottage! (laughs) The main thing for everyone is be healthy.

- We got interesting question from the fan. Did you think how much hockey sticks you broke in a season? What do you do with these sticks?

- I never thought about it. If it is so interesting, I will keep score next time! We give broken sticks to our senior administrator Peter Nikitin. It is up to decide to him what to do with these sticks.

In my childhood I thought in the same way – you have a lot of sticks, give some to me. At that age you don’t understand! The professional stick is expensive and the club pays a lot of money for it. In addition, for many guys they buy a custom-made stick. That is the reason why we cannot giveaway it. I hope that our fans will understand it.

- How do you spend your free time?

- Like everyone else. Mostly I play the PlayStation or visit cinema. This season I have taken up the English language, so I can even count to 10 (laughs).

- You were asked more than once. What about the Tatar language?

- I studied the Tatar language up to 8th grade. I remember practically nothing since those times. Now, of course, I understand that my knowledge of the language would be very useful.

-You don’t have children yet. Let’s pretend that you have a son. Will he be a hockey player?”

- We will talk about it later (laughs). Seriously, I think that it is up to decide to him. What if he wants to become an artist or musician? In my life I saw many examples when parents realized their ambitions and goals through their children, and I also saw what happened afterwards. Sure, I will support the child’s desire to play hockey, but I won’t insist.

- Most athletes have some specific large-scale goal. For example, to win a Stanley Cup, or to set a new Olympic record ... What is your goal in life?

- Probably, like many guys have – to play in the NHL and win the Stanley Cup (smiles).

- Do you consider yourself a happy person and what is happiness for you?

- I think that I'm a happy person! And what is happiness? As for me, this is an opportunity to do what I like, to have a lovely family and to see my family and friends healthy. Like everyone, in general ...