Neftekhimik held an open practice for media and fans
19.08.2026
Neftekhimik held an open practice for media and fans.
This wasn’t an average ice session or set of drills — it was a full‑on coaching clinic from the head coach Igor Grishin. He grabbed the mic for a solid hour, breaking down every sequence on the ice: why guys went where, how reads were made, and how the team’s systems actually worked. Fans got a rare look inside the coach’s playbook.
It was classic Grishin: high-tempo, game-situation driven, with zero wasted repetitions. "The crowd fuels our intensity," said the head coach. "Having fans in the stands pushes the guys to elevate their standard — everyone wants to showcase their best. We designed today's agenda around pure pace — constant motion and high foot-speed — and the group delivered exactly that. Our gratitude goes out to every single fan who turned up."
For Rafael Bikmullin, a return to his hometown carries special weight. "I'm genuinely happy to be back," he said. "I missed the city, the club, and the people close to me. Seeing familiar faces in the stands means a lot. The head coach's system took some getting used to at first, but the sessions are engaging, and you quickly find your rhythm. This season, the objective is clear: go as deep as possible in the playoffs. We have all the pieces to make that happen."
Once the ice was cleared, the energy simply relocated to the concourse—and that's where the real buzz ignited. The players emerged to meet the fans, and a queue formed in seconds. They autographed everything: jerseys and pucks, caps and photos, sticks and scarves. Each item became a personalized keepsake, stamped with a memory: "My signature right here, from open practice."
The head coach was in equally high demand—greeting everyone with a warm smile, posing for photos, trading jokes, and exchanging a few words with each person who stepped up. In those moments, he wasn't just the bench boss; he was the living link between the team and the community.
Stas Romanov shared his impressions: "Thanks for having us. It was outstanding—the coach broke everything down in detail, and now I have a much clearer picture of what unfolds on the ice. I've got a feeling this squad will turn some heads this season."
Dmitry Smolenkov came with his daughter: "Practices are usually kept behind closed doors, but today we got an inside look. The guys are already building chemistry out there. My daughter had one mission – a photo with Artyom Serikov and Luka Profaca – and she got it. Dream come true!"
The evening culminated on a powerful note from General Manager Igor Larionov. He called on the fans not merely to occupy seats in the stands, but to become active members of the fan movement – to follow the team on the road and at home, and to help create the very atmosphere that elevates the players when it matters most.
This night was a reminder that hockey is far more than the sixty minutes on the game clock. It's about emotion. It's about the bond between the roster and the city. And most of all, it's about the shared anticipation of a season brimming with promise.
