Andrei Tikhomirov: «This is a memory for a long time!»

22.05.2023

Neftekhimik goaltender Andrei Tikhomirov talks about his goalie mask, Nizhnekamsk and best goaltenders .

– Andrei, was it hard for you to make adjustments after moving to Nizhnekamsk?

– Honestly, it was kind of a new challenge! Fortunately, it did not take a long time for me to play my first game. After that, there was adjustment process. My family moved to Nizhnekamsk and everything become much easier.


– What do you think about Nizhnekamsk city?

– After some time spend here, it is safe to say that Nizhnekamsk is a good city. You know, the hockey players during road games visit only hotels, arenas and airports – that is all we see and know about cities we visit. So, I got a great opportunity to see the city, get to know devoted fans and their love to hockey.

 

– Last season Neftekhimik held social events, including «KHL Lesson» where you took part. Did these events help you to get to know our city and the people living here better?

– Social events are great part of hockey life. It helps you to look at many things from a different angle. I was very surprised at how developed schools are here. I was a teacher during «KHL Lesson» in school №38. I was shocked in a good way. Everything is organized in a great way. I would like to study in school like this one! There is everything you need: sports grounds, pianos, recreation rooms - and it is all for children!

 

– Your father is a famous goaltender. Did he have any influence on your choice to become a goaltender?

– No. It was only my choice! Once, after winning a game, he picked up me and we skated in front of all the fans on the stands. This is a memory for a long time! When I woke up in the morning after that, I realized that I wanted to feel this kind of emotions over and over again. After that, it was clear for me that I want to be a hockey player. At first, I was forward. Sometime later, I tried to be a defenseman. I realized that you need to protect the most important thing in hockey – the net!


– Do you often analyze games with your father?

– We analyze games only from the mental side. There is no doubts that he has more experience in getting through this kind of situations.


– In the last season, you got wolf pendant. What feelings did you have at those moments?

– You know, on the on hand it is easy; on the other hand, it is hard. During games, we all try to do our best. You can hardly imagine how hard is it to decide who is the mvp of the game. The main thing is to do your best. It is also pleasure that your teammate count on you.


– As you know, there are no victories without defeats. Do you think about your mistakes after the game or do you prefer to forget it?

– I try to figure out the mistakes within two hours after a game. After that time it is all is history.


– Will you paint your goalie mask for the new season?

– The mask will always be white for now! I have my own perception of this and my personal experience in painting a goalie mask.


– In your opinion, who is the best goaltender in the KHL and in the world right?

– I cannot single out one. The experienced goaltenders - Yeryomenko, Koshechkin. The perfect goaltenders for me are Sorokin and Vasilevsky!

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