German Tochilkin: «I want to make a huge contribution to the team's success»
10.07.2024
Neftekhimik forward German Tochilkin joined Neftekhimik during the season and managed to get a place in the starting lineup. Currently, Tochilkin, like his teammates, is preparing for the upcoming season. Neftekhimik correspondent Daniyar Denisov asked him to answer several questions.
– Preseason camp will begin very soon. Did you manage to do a lot of things during your vacation?
– I devoted most of my time to preparing for the state exam. It was also necessary to pass a pre-diploma internship and a final qualifying thesis. Thank God, I passed the exam with a "B" mark! Now I am a graduate of the Orsk Institute of Humanities and Technology and have a degree in accounting and economics. After completing all my business, I arrived in Moscow, where I began to prepare for the season. My mother took the diploma in Orsk, in my hometown.
– You joined the Pack during the season, through an exchange...
– My exchange turned out to be a funny story. One fine morning I came to training. As usual, I went up to the board where the lineup was written, but did not see my name there. I began to remember what I managed to do overnight so as not to be part of the team by morning. I approached the coaching staff with excitement, and there they told me that I had been traded. I reacted well to this decision. I was never afraid of a change of environment and leaving my comfort zone. I am grateful to the management of the Club and the coaching staff for the given chance.
– Have you crossed paths with any of the current Neftekhimik players before?
– Yes, I knew some of them before moving to Neftekhimik, for example, with Raul Yakupov and Islam Gainullin we were in the Russian national team. We previously crossed paths with Artyom Serikov in the Spartak system. At first they helped me to adjust.
– You spent 22/23season in Kunlun. In general, how important was it for you? Perhaps that experience helped you to adjust faster as part of our team?
– Yes, I spent the second part of the 22/23 season in Kunlun. This short period turned out to be very important in my career. I scored my first KHL goal, and later got my first assist.
– In the last season, Neftekhimik had many hard–battled games. What game was the most memorable for you?
– I think that it was game against Vityaz. I scored my first goal on Neftekhimik, which helped our team extend its winning streak. Before this game, I could not score for a long time, so the emotions after that goal and, most importantly, our victory were indescribable.
– Besides hockey, what other sports do you follow?
– It is interesting to watch tennis. I really like billiards, sometimes my dad and I play together.
– What are your expectations for the upcoming season?
– I want to make a huge contribution to the team's success, make playoffs and compete for the Gagarin Cup.
