Press Conference

04.06.2025

Today, a press conference was held with the participation of the Director General of the HC Neftekhimik I.V. Larionov, Sports Director A.V. Marchinsky and the new Head Coach of Neftekhimik I.V. Grishin.
– Igor Larionov:

Today we signed a contract with the new head coach of our team. Igor Vladimirovich has come a long way from Hockey Schools to the KHL, this is a huge coaching experience. During choosing a head coach, we studied many candidates, the task was to find a specialist with his own philosophy that meets modern hockey trends. Our choice fell on Igor Vladimirovich. Because he is a coach who pays special attention to those aspects of the game that modern hockey dictates. He gives his teams a bright attacking style of play. He has a creative approach to the training process and team management. Igor Vladimirovich is not afraid to trust young players, under his leadership, hockey players reach a new level. This is an important aspect, our club has always been at the forefront of attracting young people and local players to the main team. I think you have already had time to get acquainted with the achievements of Igor Vladimirovich.

– Igor Grishin: 

First of all, I would like to thank Igor Viktorovich Larionov and Sergei Vladimirovich Bykov for inviting me to your hockey family. It was unexpected for me. At the same time, it is very pleasant that they appreciated my work. This is another challenge, my second attempt at the KHL. I cannot say that the first attempt was successful. Nevertheless, this is a good period in my career, from which I learned certain lessons. I think this will help in my future work. Together with my coaching staff and the club employees, I will try to do everything so that the fans of Neftekhimik are satisfied with the game that the team shows. We will try to demonstrate bright hockey, and at the same time please the local audience.

– Anton Marchinsky:

We are glad to welcome Igor Vladimirovich to the Pack. We are slowly but surely starting the preparation for the start of the championship.

– Igor Viktorovich, if possible, could you disclose the details of the head coach's contract?
– Igor Larionov: Of course, the contract with Igor Vladimirovich is standard. I cannot disclose the salary parameters. However, when discussing the agreement, we agreed on bonuses for reaching the playoffs. The contract is for one year, but I hope it will develop into a longer–term cooperation.

– How long did the negotiations last? Were there any particular difficulties?
– Igor Grishin: We came to an agreement quickly. Dear friends from Neftekhimik arrived in St. Petersburg in the midst of the playoffs. At that time, the team was in a difficult situation, but this meeting supported me, psychological support was provided. I was pleased to receive an invitation to the KHL team, so I did not have to think for long.

– It is no secret that you are famous for your good work with young players. Do you have any thoughts on who you will try out during the pre-season training camp?
– Igor Grishin: Although superficially, I have already managed to get acquainted with the representatives of Reaktor. Some guys are visible, I have studied some in more detail. Probably five or six people will take part in the pre-season training camp. And closer to the season we will decide who will continue working with us. Naturally, we need limited players as well. At the moment, our priority is local alumni. We will see how they cope with my exercises, because sometimes even experienced players have a hard time.

– You had experience in the KHL. What lessons did you learn from that experience?
– Igor Grishin: Igor Viktorovich immediately went to meet me halfway, even more than I asked. The coaching staff will be formed under my dictation, since there must be like-minded people who have the same view of hockey. The situation was different in Spartak, so it is possible that there were disagreements because of this. It is worth noting that the league calendar is different now, which is why the preparation will be different. Therefore, previous experience will help me a lot.

– Have you already decided who will be on the coaching staff?
– Igor Grishin: The coaching staff is fully formed. Those who worked with me in St. Petersburg will also be there. We are talking about senior coach Maxim Krivonozhkin, defenseman coach Alexei Pepeliyayev and player development coach Denis Koroteyev. I am happy that they will join me here.

– How open are you to interviews with media representatives?
– Igor Grishin: I am all for it! I am always open to journalists. Moreover, I will talk to the players so that they are more welcoming to the media. After all, we play for the fans. The more the fans are immersed in the atmosphere, the more they understand what s going on. The team will only develop from this.

– Surely you are familiar with the roster. How well do the guys suit your style?
– Igor Grishin: I liked Neftekhimik before. It was always interesting to follow a team that fought to the end. You could say it was sharp–toothed and unyielding. I like all of this. Of course, the core remains, we will strengthen ourselves in specific ways. It's hard to say anything yet, because the market has just opened.

– It's no secret that Nizhnekamsk is a small city. After St. Petersburg, are you ready for a more modest city?
– Igor Grishin: I worked in Voskresensk for two years. I think it is even smaller. I like to go to the theater, to the cinema, and to walk. It is clear that there is less entertainment here, compared to Moscow and St. Petersburg. It seems to me that there will be places to go here, how to spend time. But, naturally, work comes first.

– Perhaps there are signings that we will learn about very soon?
– Anton Marchinsky: Negotiations are currently underway with certain players. A couple of transfers are expected in the coming days.

– Do you plan to attend the games of the Youth Sports School and Reaktor?
– Igor Grishin: When I have time, I always visit JHL  and YHL games. Moreover, everything is close by here – very convenient. We will definitely establish contact with the school and Reaktor. I am going to pay attention to them and, if my help is needed, I am always open to dialogue.

– Anton Marchinsky: I would like to add that in order to build a hockey vertical, the training process should be built from the first team. There is a slightly different hockey system there and children's coaches will be present at the first team's training sessions, learning so that everything works as a single mechanism.

– Surely you have become familiar with the infrastructure, maybe something will be added with your arrival?
– Igor Grishin: It seems to me that everything is there for the successful work of the team. It remains to get to know the staff better, who is responsible for what.

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