Pavel Anokhin: «It was my childhood dream to play in the KHL»
24.06.2024
Last season forward Pasha Anokhin at the age of 18, made his KHL debut, become top five Reaktor scorer, scoring 22 (13+9) points.
– Pavel, how are you spending your holiday?– The first thing I did after I returned to Moscow at the end of the season tried to pass all exams and lessons that I have missed. At the beginning of May I went on vacation to Turkey. Upon returning from there, I began to prepare for the examinations and at the same time got ready for the new season. I pay more attention to sports such as tennis, football, volleyball. I spend a lot of time with my family and friends.
– You have been training and playing in Nizhnekamsk for a year and a half now. How did you adjust to the city and the team at first? Is it now habitual for you to come back here again, or Moscow is closer to you?
– The first time in Nizhnekamsk was a little unusual, since it is a relatively small city. After about a month, I adjusted, it became familiar and pleasant to be in this city. The team welcomed me well, and I immediately joined the training process. After a year and a half in Nizhnekamsk, everything has become familiar, like a second home, I am always glad to come back.
– Last year you spent the preseason and several starting games with on Neftekhimik team. What do you remember about your KHLexperience?
– When I was informed that I would go to training with Neftekhimik team, there were a lot of emotions. On the one hand it is pleasant, on the other hand it is very exciting. It was my childhood dream to play in the KHL. During this time, we managed to learn a lot from more experienced players. This is a completely different mentality, I received a huge amount of positive emotions and knowledge being with the team.
We talked a lot with young guys who had just left Reaktor. But the older, already established adult athletes, also suggested and helped. That is why there was a feeling of a close-knit and professional team. The coaches' approach is also a very interesting thing – they pay a lot of attention to details. A lot of work was done with the puck, including skating. It is interesting to watch the way adult players play, you try to do like them, so you improve your level. The coaches try to help and find their own approach to everyone. In general, the feeling of a dream coming true is always exciting. Especially, I remember my first game and my first shift. It was exciting when I was sitting in the locker room, but as soon as I went out to skate, I felt calmer when I saw the full arena. I was waiting to get on the ice and get those emotions. It was amazing, wonderful memories that I want to remember for the rest of my life.
– Were not you upset when you returned to play in the youth team?
– When I returned to the JHL, it was nice to see the guys again. We had a very friendly team, as if you were with your family. So I was not upset. There was all the same, after getting a good experience in the KHL you get more confidence and on–ice time in the youth team. It was interesting to apply the knowledge and experience gained at Neftekhimik.
– What do you remember the most about last season?
– I remember last season for our team. Indeed, there was a very friendly team. An excellent captain, Grisha Morozov, there was no division between seniors and juniors, as sometimes happens in JHL teams. One of the most exciting moments was when we found out that we had made it to the play-in. We all sat together with the guys in the sports bar, watching the game that was decisive one for us. There were great emotions to share with my teammates, with the guys who became part of our big family.
– At the end of the season, you ended up in the top five Reaktor scorers. Are you happy with this result?
– Compared to my first season in the MJHL, last season was much better. I still did not fully realize my ambitions. Not to say that I am unhappy with this result, but I always try to strive for more and achieve the goals that are set for me. The main thing is that we managed to get through the play–in; my team's goals come first, not personal ones.
– For some time before moving to Nizhnekamsk, you played in clubs in the Far East. How did you end up there? What is special about the game in that region?
– After I graduated from hockey school in Moscow, I managed to get an audition for the Taifun team. They then had a training camp in the city of Krasnogorsk, Moscow region. I managed to get into the team. I remember my first flight to the Far East – I spent eight hours on the plane. Vladivostok is a very beautiful city, probably one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen. The peculiarity of Vladivostok is that, for example, the flight from Moscow is at 16:00, you arrive in the morning, and immediately have practice. There was a flight without sleep and you need to immediately enter a new day. But you quickly get used to it, it becomes easier. It was an interesting experience to live in that corner of Russia. Vladivostok has very beautiful nature, there are all conditions for the development of hockey players. Even trying to live in a constant change of time zones was interesting.Only the first flight was difficult, but then I quickly got used to this rhythm of life. Communication with family at that time was a little difficult. When I was supposed to get ready for bed, people in Moscow were just waking up, so there was very little time left for communication. Over time we adapted. I am glad that I had such an experience in my life.
– Why did you decide to change your jersey number in the new season from 40 to 25?
– This is an interesting story. Before the start of last season, Semyon Lyubalin and I were unable to figure out who was taking what number. I wanted to take number 40, and, as it turned out, he did too. They called me earlier, so I beat him to it. Semyon had to take another number. After that, we agreed that next season I will give him number 40. This season I decided to take the inconspicuous number 25, simply, without any meaning.
– How are you preparing for the season now?
– When I returned from vacation, I began to slowly prepare for the season. I started with small runs. I also played other sports – volleyball, football, and I also played tennis from the age of four, and there was time to play now. This, I believe, strengthens and helps develop the motor system, creativity, and this also helps me in hockey. Then I started specialized training camps to prepare for the season, and they are still going on. I started on June 3 and will finish at the beginning of July. We have completed a large amount of work, now the final cycle remains. I will rest a little and fly to Nizhnekamsk.
– Do you meet any of our players in Moscow?
– I did not have time to cross paths with anyone in Moscow, because I spend a lot of time with my family and loved ones. But we communicate a lot with all the guys on the Internet. Over this year we have become close friends and I do not want to stop communicating.
