Yaroslav Ozolin: «I have a lot of work ahead of me»
26.06.2025
Neftekhimik goaltender Yaroslav Ozolin talks about his vacation, Neftekhimik Hockey School and his hockey path.
- Yaroslav, how do you spend your vacation?
- Mostly at home, with my family. I spend time with my son Makar Yaroslavovich, he was born on November 15 last year. I do my household chores that have accumulated over the season, prepare for the pre-season and the upcoming championship.
- During the season, I probably didn't have much time to enjoy fatherhood?
- Yes, there were frequent moves, trips. And my wife tries not to bother me too much at this time, gives me time to recover, prepare for games and training. Now I devote all my time to myself and my son.
- How do you feel as a young father?
- Only positive feelings! We have a long-awaited child, it's great to watch him grow, change, and learn new skills every day. This is great happiness for me.
- Is it true that every hockey player dreams of raising his son to be a great player?
- I don't know about others, but for me the main thing is that he is healthy. The time will come when he will choose his own future. Of course, he will not leave hockey, he already often goes to matches with his mother, and I hope that in the future this topic will resonate with him. I will definitely not insist, but Makar already has a whole collection of sticks.
- You are one of those Neftekhimik players who is a graduate of the Nizhnekamsk hockey school. Has getting into the first team become a childhood dream come true for you?
- Of course, yes. But there are still a lot of goals, I have a lot of work ahead of me. I didn't play many matches for Neftekhimik, but to always be in the team, you have to work hard. I can say that my love for the city and the club is boundless. I have the warmth of my heart for my hometown, I always foam at the mouth to prove to visiting guys that Nizhnekamsk is the best city in Russia.
- You also came through the Nizhnekamsk youth team Reaktor. How did the experience in the MHL affect you?
- I played two full seasons for Reaktor, 120 matches, practically without substitutions. The first season was good, we made it to the playoffs, but lost to Tolpar in a disappointing way. There is, as they say now, "second season syndrome", sometimes something didn't go well. I already wanted to cross the MHL level and go further. This experience became a good impetus for my further development. I remember that time with warmth in my heart, we had such a family atmosphere.
- Is it true that you didn't immediately come to the goalkeeper position, but were a field player for some time?
- Yes, it's true. I was a forward until about 12 years old, even played in the first line. My peers were increasing their speed, but I wasn't making any progress. Then my coach Vadim Sergeyevich Gusev suggested that my father try me out in goal. And I didn't really like running, I was more of a defender of the chips. They gave me a uniform, I tried it, I liked it, and it started working out.
- You recently extended your contract with the club for 2 years. Was this a significant event for you?
- Of course. I want to continue developing in my hometown. Everything is convenient for me, I love Nizhnekamsk and our club "Neftekhimik", there are all the conditions for development here. We have excellent team staff, all those who work at the base, who cook and wash for us. It's very comfortable for me to live here.
- You have worked with various goaltenders. Can you name those who have become significant figures in your development?
- Vadim Sergeevich Gusev is the person with whom I took my first steps in hockey. And, of course, Alexey Yuryevich Mitroshin - it was lucky that he came to us at Neftekhimik from Izhevsk. It turned out that both of these specialists were well acquainted. Alexey Yuryevich led me specifically, taught me from the age of 13-14. Dad specially took me to Izhevsk for his goaltender training camp. We trained together with Filipp Dolganov, it turned out that we have known each other since childhood. Alexey Yuryevich knows my strengths and weaknesses, we have such fruitful work.
- You spent a significant part of your career in the VHL. While on loan at Dynamo-SPb, you had the chance to work with a legendary figure in the world of hockey, Vladimir Vasilyevich Krikunov. Can you share your experience of working with him?
- Vladimir Vasilyevich is a significant figure for hockey in general and for Nizhnekamsk in particular. He knew me from the time he worked at Neftekhimik. That's why my transfer took place, he invited me to join him. I gained experience at a top VHL club, and Vladimir Vasilyevich is a specialist with a lot of experience, and everyone understood this, everyone listened to him with their mouths open, absorbing his every word.
- You are still quite a young player, you are 24 years old. In your opinion, at what age does a goalie reach the peak of his athletic form and performance?
- I think that after 25 years old, the heyday begins. But at the same time, there are now many young goalies in the league who are fine. But I will say this, there are many very strong goalies in the top hockey league who could easily enter the KHL. But, either there is no place for them, or they are not noticed, they remain in the top league. Take the example of Philipp Dolganov, he was not noticed for a long time, but when he got a chance, he took advantage of it 200% and fired right away.
- Do you feel like you are on the verge of your breakthrough soon?
- I really hope that the next season will be a breakthrough for me. I always want more, but I will not make any predictions.
- The past season for you in terms of the number of matches played was 50 to 50 in the KHL and VHL. Already at the final stretch of the regular season, you showed yourself well for Neftekhimik. What gave you strength and confidence during this period? - In fact, I played little last season, I trained more so that when possible I could take advantage of my chance and show myself at 100%. And after winning matches, I realized that I was ready for this league, I can compete with KHL goalies. I felt euphoric, I will try to carry this spirit over to the next season.
- Do you have your own pre-match superstitions?
- None at all, I don’t believe in them. On the day of the game, I just try to abstract myself, dig deeper into myself, think about how I will act. I can laugh during the warm-up, get a boost of energy.
- What helps me calm down after emotional matches?
- I have a dog, Ozi. Usually after the games I take him and go for a walk. During these half an hour, I can dig deeper into myself, and I come home relaxed and calm. Ozi is an American Bully, also known as a nanny dog, and is genetically non-aggressive. He is absolutely kind, never hurts anyone, and is friends with everyone. We travel with Ozi, and have no problems with him.
- Did you name the dog after yourself?
- My wife and I had a funny reaction to this. When he appeared, we thought about it, argued, and had many options. We decided to settle on the nickname Ozi. No one in the team calls me that, it came out as a derivative of my last name. At first, the family was a little skeptical, but now everyone likes it. It is short and suits him very well.
