Maxim Pestushko: «I really like the way Neftekhimik plays»
27.01.2026
Neftekhimik Hockey School student Maxim Pestushko played 426 games for our team and scored 193 points (100 goals, 93 assists). Maxim attended the Neftekhimik vs. Dynamo Moscow game as a guest of honor.
– Maxim, you live in Kazan. How long has it been since you were in Nizhnekamsk, and have you ever attended Neftekhimik home games?– The last time I was here was in 2018, when I was still playing for another team–Yugra back then. I was often in Nizhnekamsk, but I never managed to visit a hockey game. Thank you to the club management for the inventation to the Neftekhimik vs. Dynamo game and the symbolic faceoff before the game. I was very pleased to greet the Neftekhimik fans.
– What were your emotions when the organization invited you?
– I played over 400 games for Neftekhimik. It's always nice when your contribution is recognized in one way or another, so it was very gratifying.
– You're one of Neftekhimik's best forwards. What memories do you have of the team and the city?
– The city is great oveerall. It's just that players on other teams always thought it was a gloomy place. But I always told the guys, you just need to live here. In fact, there were a lot of wonderful things here back then, and there are even more now. We drove through the streets of the city and I saw that the city is truly developing in the best possible way.
As for the team, when I played, the team was always known as the scourge of authority. We often beat strong opponents and almost always made the playoffs, with rare exceptions. As for this season, I really like the way Neftekhimik plays under Igor Grishin: offensive, spectacular and entertaining hockey, so it's a pleasure to watch the way our "wolves" play.
– What would you wish for the team and the fans?
– Of course, I wanted to wish Neftekhimik as far as possible in the playoffs. We've already made it through the first round, but haven't conquered the second round yet. So I wish them to complete the second round, and, as they say, more to come.
A huge thank you to the fans! I live in Kazan, but sometimes people come up to me and thank me for the games I played for Neftekhimik. They remember me, even though I played for the Nizhnekamsk team 12 years ago. It's really nice in those moments.
