Matvei Zaseda: «I am glad to be here»
14.01.2026
Neftekhimik forward Matvei Zaseda joined our team yesterday. Today, after practice, Matvei answered a few questions.
– Matvei, when did you find out that an exchange was being prepared and you would end up at Neftekhimik?– It became known about three days ago, probably. Somewhere like that. We were just on the road. I flew to Khabarovsk, packed my things, and signed all the documents. From Khabarovsk I flew to Moscow and after that to Kazan. We were in Chelyabinsk at the time. So I joined the team.
– How did you take this exchange?
– I am glad to return to Igor Grishin, Maxim Krivonozhkin. I know almost the entire coaching staff. We won the VHL championship together. We played with Igor Grishin at Spartak, and I know many of the guys. I know the city, we recently played in Nizhnekamsk. I think I was remembered for my goals by the local fans back then. I am glad to be here, I am glad to feel like I am in a pack!
– The first practice was held today. What are your impressions?
– Everything was great. The exercises are familiar, I did all this not so long ago when I Igor Grishin was my coach. It was a couple of years ago. Everything is familiar, everything is positive. I immediately realized that Neftekhimik has a great team and great staff. I got to know everyone and finally got on the ice. I haven't skated for two days, I miss the ice already.
– You shot top corner of the net with your first shot at practice. Do you agree that this is a good sign?
– Well, hope that everything will be alright with a help of God. I really want it to be so. And I think everyone believes that.
– You have the 84th jersey number. Did you choose it yourself or was it given to you?
– I chose it myself. I chose it with my parents, my family. There was a list of numbers, and we chose 84. For some reason, my heart felt to that number, that's why. There's nothing special about it – it's just 84.
– Now we have two Matvei at Neftekhimik. Did you and Nadvorny know each other before, did you ever cross paths in hockey?
– We didn't cross paths at all, we just played against each other this season – that's all. When we met, he introduced himself: "Hi, Matvei." I said, "I'm Matvei too." He said, "I know." I said, "I know too." That's how we met (laughs).
