Islam Gainullin: «You just need to work hard and prove that you deserve to play»

Islam Gainullin played 3 seasons with Reaktor. The next season will be last for him in the JHL (MHL) due his age. Therefore, he is an experienced player who have to take a leadership in the next season.

– Islam, I thought that you are from Nizhnekamsk hockey school. Later, I find out that you are from Kazan ...

– Yeah, I was born in Kazan. I started playing hockey there. At the age of 14 I moved to Nizhnekamsk. I lived in an apartment with my mother for a year. Then I was offered a place in a boarding school, and I still live there with my teammates.

– Since what age do you play hockey?

– From the age of 7. Nowadays, it looks like it was late. It took a time for me to choose between football and hockey.

– Who was your first coach?

– Alexei Cheprasov. He was the one who taught me how to skate. By the way, Mansur Kadyrov, Danil Gataullin and Oleg Travin and me played together then.

– Do you consider yourself like a student of Kazan or Nizhnekamsk hockey school?

– Probably, Nizhnekamsk. Anyway, here I got more in terms of hockey development than in Kazan.

– Why did you decide to move to Nizhnekamsk at the age of 14?

– At that time, it was hard to join any other team in Kazan from Dynamo. In Kazan, you know, there are many hockey schools. In Nizhnekamsk there is only one hockey school, and with a right attitude and hard work, it is easier to show that you are ready to play. So we decided to come here with my parents.

– What was it like being alone in Nizhnekamsk at the age of 15?

– At first I missed home about six months. Parents tried to visit Nizhnekamsk as often as possible. Then I got used to it and there was no desire to go home.

– Who was your coach here?

– Roman Agafonov.

– Was it easy for you from the very beginning here?

– You know, everything worked out right away. I do not know how it is possible. We had good practices. Our coach developed our skills.

– Was it hard for you to be focused on hockey at this age?

– At the age of 15-16, you know what you want to achieve in life. As for me, the the main thing is hockey.

– How would you rate the past season?

– To be honest, we failed. We did not complete the task - we did not make playoffs. We lost too many game. You always have to be ready to play against any team.

– What is the most memorable moment of the season?

– Our comebacks for sure. For example, this season we lost 2–4 in the game against Mamonty Ugry, but at the very end, we managed to tie the game up. Unfortunately, we lost in SO. The main thing is that we showed our character.

– Who is your hockey idol?

– Cale Makar from Colorado Avalanche. I like the way he plays.

– What do you do off the ice?

– I'm studying. I study at the Nizhnekamsk Pedagogical College with a degree " Sports medicine" - this is recovery after injuries or illnesses. Then I would like to study in the Volga Region State Academy of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism.

– What do you like to watch online? What kind of music do you prefer to listen?

– Most of all, I like to watch highlights of football and hockey games. In general, I am interested in sports. There is no preference for music. I listen everything that the guys turn on in the locker room.

– What do you think about your hockey future? Do you have any chances to get a call from Neftekhimik?

– There are always chances, you just need to work hard and prove that you deserve to play. For example, we were sent to Izhstal (VHL team), we had practices there. It was great. This is a huge and useful experience for us. As I said before, you have to prove that you deserve to play.

– What are your thoughts and expectations from upcoming season for Reaktor? Will the team make playoffs?

– We will try to do our best. We want to make our fans happy!