Roman Graborenko : "My teammates can rely on me"

- Roman, welcome back to «Neftekhimik»! Did you miss KHL?

- Thank you! Yes, sure. It's nice to be back. I look forward to the beginning of the season, to meet fans of «Neftekhimik».

 

- The last two seasons you played in the Czech Extraliga as a player of «Litvinov» and «Liberec». Could you share with your impressions about Czech Extraliga? What is the attitude to foreigners there? What kind of fans are there?

- They have a good league. Teams play combinational and speed hockey. The clubs are almost equal.

The attitude to foreigners is the same as in other leagues, where foreigners are invited to the first roles. The Czech Republic is a hockey country. Therefore, people there really like hockey, they constantly have full arenas and cheer emotionally. There is always a great atmosphere in the stands.

 

- In the Czech Extraliga, you showed yourself as a tough player who will protect his teammates. Did you have to protect your teammates often?

- You know, it is a part of hockey. At some points, to have a few words is enough.

 

- The last time you came to our team, you were always ready to protect your teammates. Does this mean that this time it will be so? Moreover, we have young players in our roster. The fact, that you will be on the ice will give them confidence for sure ...

- We cannot avoid this part of hockey. The main thing is that we should follow the rules, we should play without rudeness and injuries. As you can see hockey changed. I think that the times of fights are gone. People come to watch hockey. My teammates can rely on me.

 

- How do you see the upcoming season? Does it seem to you that rosters of the teams equalized? Perhaps, it will be unpredictable season.

- I think that in the upcoming season young players will have a good chance to show their best hockey. That’s great.

 

- What are you doing during the quarantine to be physically active?

- I spend time at home with my family and relatives. Also, I am working on my skills and physical condition like everyone else. I’m not sitting around. Sometimes I play tennis.