Neftekhimik Preseason Press Conference 2025/2026
29.08.2025
On August 29, a press conference was held at the Neftekhim Arena. It was attended by Neftekhimik Director General I.V. Larionov, Neftekhimik Sports Director Anton Marchinsky, Neftekhimik Head Coach I.V. Grishin and Reaktor Head Coach I.V. Fyodorov.
I. Larionov: In my speech, I would like to focus on the main points of preparation for the upcoming season.
I would name the change of the coaching staff as one of them. We are heading into the new season with a new coaching staff. The team is headed by Igor Vladimirovich Grishin, a specialist with good VHL and KHL experience. Igor Grishin joined our organization with his like–minded assistants. Additionally, Goaltending Coach Alexei Yuryevich Mitroshin and Strength and Conditioning Coach Alexander Yuryevich Urakov remained from last year's staff. Igor Vladimirovich and his assistants and I have complete mutual understanding and we work in a coordinated manner.
We have done the necessary preparatory work to ensure that our teams prepare for the season in comfortable conditions. Both the KHL team and the JHL team are provided with all the necessary sports equipment, gear, logistics, accommodation, and good nutrition during the championship have been resolved. Last year, the Neftekhim Arena and SIA (Small Ice Arena) underwent major repairs of the locker rooms and bathrooms. This year, we continued to modernize our arenas. It affected communications and infrastructure. In the near future, we plan to install new activity zones for fans, in particular a kaleidoscope and interactive tables. The existing equipment has been modernized according to KHL standards.
In this regard, I would like to point out a Jumbotron. This summer, the new Jumbotron was installed, which is many times better than its predecessor in its characteristics. At present, commissioning and testing work has been completed. I am sure that fans will see a higher quality picture in the Neftekhim Arena.
On behalf of the Neftekhimik organization and our fans, I would like to express my deep gratitude to our shareholder, SIBUR, and Nizhnekamskneftekhim for their attention, daily help and support.
A. Marchinsky: This summer, we had only specific changes. I think that the current team is stronger than last year. In addition, our work is not finished, we need an offensive defenseman. The work process continues, there is still a lot of time before the deadline.
I. Grishin: We are training, working, everything is going according to plan. The team is getting used to the coaching staff, the coaching staff is getting used to the team. There are new requirements, there are new tactics. For many guys, especially those who have been here since last season, and those who have never worked with our coaching staff, there are innovations in the training process. This is affecting the quality of the games we have played so far.
Unfortunately, we faced injuries and illnesses among the players, and we were not able to play a single game having the actual season roster. We hope that closer to the championship our guys will reach their peak form, recover, and gradually we will show the kind of game that we have already seen in exhibition games and in the tournament. Our team has a good mood, fighting spirit, the guys are training with pleasure, I hope that everything will work out well for us.
Igor Fyodorov: We gathered on July 1, went through the medical examination, and on July 3 we started a full training process at the first team base. I would like to express my gratitude to Igor Viktorovich Larionov for the conditions provided for organizing our training process. We played a number of exhibition games against Ladya and Tolpar, yesterday we returned from the Sakharov tournament in Togliatt. Now we are preparing for the season.
– How satisfied are you with the player market job?
I. Grishin: New guys have joined the team, among them there are skilled ones with a good track record. We expect that they will join the team and make a feasible contribution to our system. We want to find and sign a defenseman who would actively join the attack. There are questions about the center forwards. In principle, our central line is good, but if someone gets injured or gets sick, problems may begin. Let's hope that such surprises will pass us by. There are guys who could replace the main players in these positions, but we would like to acquire players for the depth of this line.
– You signed a new cooperation agreement with Izhstal. How will you work with the affiliated team?
I. Larionov: Yes, we signed a new cooperation agreement with Izhstal. Moreover, we competed with two clubs of the Western Conference, which occupy high positions. Due to the fact that good relations have developed between Neftekhimik and Izhstal, there were no problems with the new agreement. It is convenient for us to work with Izhstal, we are happy to continue cooperation with the club. It should be noted that the Izhevsk team has new goals this year. Now their roster has big changes, a couple of players from last year's roster remain. They have seriously strengthened, we are happy about this. Our players will compete with strong hockey players, here I see the benefit of cooperation. Yesterday we had an application for the season, where 25 players remained in the main roster, and 10 were sent to Izhevsk. So far, we are following the standard procedure.
A. Marchinsky: Of course, no one will artificially put our guys in the roster. Those who meet the requirements of the coaching staff will be included in the roster. There are certain concessions for our players, but in any case, the strongest will be included in the roster. Reshetnikov, who confidently played pre-season games and secured a place in the third link, has proven himself well. I would also like to note Muissa, who got game practice in Izhstal. So far, we are happy with the young players.
I. Grishin: I would like to add that we had a meeting with representatives of Izhstal. We had a good conversation and shared our opinions. After this meeting, we continue to be in close contact with the coaching staff of Izhstal, discussing how our players are doing there. The coaching staff of Izhstal asks our opinion on the players who come to them. There are no special conditions for our players in Izhevsk, they must prove with their play that they are capable of playing, helping this team, that they are capable of moving to a KHL team, everything is in their hands. If someone shows themselves brightly there, then the coaching staff of Izhstal will not delay with recommendations for us to look at them in the KHL.
– Will there be reinforcements in the defense line at Reaktor?
I. Fyodorov: We need a couple of defenders, we are looking for options, it is not that simple.
– Sevastyan Sokolov took part in pre-season matches. How do you rate his play?
I. Grishin: Sevastyan showed himself well in Omsk, although in the first games he was declared as the 13th forward. And tomorrow, at the match with Ak Bars, we plan to include him in the main roster. If he continues to show the same in training and games, welcome to the main team. We want to see young, active guys hungry for hockey in the team. Of course, we need limited players in the team, but we need guys to win a place in the team. Sevastyan showed that he is ready to fight for a place in the team.
I would name the change of the coaching staff as one of them. We are heading into the new season with a new coaching staff. The team is headed by Igor Vladimirovich Grishin, a specialist with good VHL and KHL experience. Igor Grishin joined our organization with his like–minded assistants. Additionally, Goaltending Coach Alexei Yuryevich Mitroshin and Strength and Conditioning Coach Alexander Yuryevich Urakov remained from last year's staff. Igor Vladimirovich and his assistants and I have complete mutual understanding and we work in a coordinated manner.
We have done the necessary preparatory work to ensure that our teams prepare for the season in comfortable conditions. Both the KHL team and the JHL team are provided with all the necessary sports equipment, gear, logistics, accommodation, and good nutrition during the championship have been resolved. Last year, the Neftekhim Arena and SIA (Small Ice Arena) underwent major repairs of the locker rooms and bathrooms. This year, we continued to modernize our arenas. It affected communications and infrastructure. In the near future, we plan to install new activity zones for fans, in particular a kaleidoscope and interactive tables. The existing equipment has been modernized according to KHL standards.
In this regard, I would like to point out a Jumbotron. This summer, the new Jumbotron was installed, which is many times better than its predecessor in its characteristics. At present, commissioning and testing work has been completed. I am sure that fans will see a higher quality picture in the Neftekhim Arena.
On behalf of the Neftekhimik organization and our fans, I would like to express my deep gratitude to our shareholder, SIBUR, and Nizhnekamskneftekhim for their attention, daily help and support.
A. Marchinsky: This summer, we had only specific changes. I think that the current team is stronger than last year. In addition, our work is not finished, we need an offensive defenseman. The work process continues, there is still a lot of time before the deadline.
I. Grishin: We are training, working, everything is going according to plan. The team is getting used to the coaching staff, the coaching staff is getting used to the team. There are new requirements, there are new tactics. For many guys, especially those who have been here since last season, and those who have never worked with our coaching staff, there are innovations in the training process. This is affecting the quality of the games we have played so far.
Unfortunately, we faced injuries and illnesses among the players, and we were not able to play a single game having the actual season roster. We hope that closer to the championship our guys will reach their peak form, recover, and gradually we will show the kind of game that we have already seen in exhibition games and in the tournament. Our team has a good mood, fighting spirit, the guys are training with pleasure, I hope that everything will work out well for us.
Igor Fyodorov: We gathered on July 1, went through the medical examination, and on July 3 we started a full training process at the first team base. I would like to express my gratitude to Igor Viktorovich Larionov for the conditions provided for organizing our training process. We played a number of exhibition games against Ladya and Tolpar, yesterday we returned from the Sakharov tournament in Togliatt. Now we are preparing for the season.
– How satisfied are you with the player market job?
I. Grishin: New guys have joined the team, among them there are skilled ones with a good track record. We expect that they will join the team and make a feasible contribution to our system. We want to find and sign a defenseman who would actively join the attack. There are questions about the center forwards. In principle, our central line is good, but if someone gets injured or gets sick, problems may begin. Let's hope that such surprises will pass us by. There are guys who could replace the main players in these positions, but we would like to acquire players for the depth of this line.
– You signed a new cooperation agreement with Izhstal. How will you work with the affiliated team?
I. Larionov: Yes, we signed a new cooperation agreement with Izhstal. Moreover, we competed with two clubs of the Western Conference, which occupy high positions. Due to the fact that good relations have developed between Neftekhimik and Izhstal, there were no problems with the new agreement. It is convenient for us to work with Izhstal, we are happy to continue cooperation with the club. It should be noted that the Izhevsk team has new goals this year. Now their roster has big changes, a couple of players from last year's roster remain. They have seriously strengthened, we are happy about this. Our players will compete with strong hockey players, here I see the benefit of cooperation. Yesterday we had an application for the season, where 25 players remained in the main roster, and 10 were sent to Izhevsk. So far, we are following the standard procedure.
A. Marchinsky: Of course, no one will artificially put our guys in the roster. Those who meet the requirements of the coaching staff will be included in the roster. There are certain concessions for our players, but in any case, the strongest will be included in the roster. Reshetnikov, who confidently played pre-season games and secured a place in the third link, has proven himself well. I would also like to note Muissa, who got game practice in Izhstal. So far, we are happy with the young players.
I. Grishin: I would like to add that we had a meeting with representatives of Izhstal. We had a good conversation and shared our opinions. After this meeting, we continue to be in close contact with the coaching staff of Izhstal, discussing how our players are doing there. The coaching staff of Izhstal asks our opinion on the players who come to them. There are no special conditions for our players in Izhevsk, they must prove with their play that they are capable of playing, helping this team, that they are capable of moving to a KHL team, everything is in their hands. If someone shows themselves brightly there, then the coaching staff of Izhstal will not delay with recommendations for us to look at them in the KHL.
– Will there be reinforcements in the defense line at Reaktor?
I. Fyodorov: We need a couple of defenders, we are looking for options, it is not that simple.
– Sevastyan Sokolov took part in pre-season matches. How do you rate his play?
I. Grishin: Sevastyan showed himself well in Omsk, although in the first games he was declared as the 13th forward. And tomorrow, at the match with Ak Bars, we plan to include him in the main roster. If he continues to show the same in training and games, welcome to the main team. We want to see young, active guys hungry for hockey in the team. Of course, we need limited players in the team, but we need guys to win a place in the team. Sevastyan showed that he is ready to fight for a place in the team.
– When will the issue with the captain and assistants in the team be resolved?
I. Grishin: The issue has been largely resolved. Captain Alexander Dergachyov, assistants Nikita Khoruzhev and Nikita Khlystov. There are other candidates. Who can replace them if necessary.
I. Fyodorov: At the preseason tournament and at friendly games, we had different players lead the team as captain. There will be a vote in the team, then we will choose the captain and his assistants.
– How satisfied are you with Damir Zhafyarov's play, because he has not scored in the preseason?
I. Grishin: In general, our forwards have scored few goals in the pre-season, Sevastyan Sokolov has become practically the best scorer of the tournament, so respect to him. We are working on moments in training, so far this does not quite apply to games, but Damir's level is visible, his actions, his skill are visible. Perhaps the experienced guys understand that their strength needs to be distributed throughout the championship, so they don’t give it their all in pre-season games. Sometimes things just don’t work out, although there are opportunities.
– Is it true that Neftekhimik is not included in the salary cap?
I. Larionov: This is incorrect information. Our shareholders allocate enough funds for us to participate in the championship. Taking into account the increase in prices for equipment, travel and accommodation, all necessary expenses are included in the budget. We have fulfilled all the requirements, we are in the salary cap. Many thanks to our shareholders for their help and support.
– Are theme matches planned for the upcoming season?
I. Larionov: Last season we saw a good effect from holding theme games, so their number will be increased in the next championship. Together with our shareholder and partner, additional theme matches will be held. There will also be more activities in the foyer, more often during the matches. Last season we received positive feedback from the fans. They like it, so we hope to please them with new surprises.
– Why did you decide to part ways with Dmitry Zhukenov?
A. Marchinsky: The contract was not extended by mutual consent. And so, we have secured the rights to the player.
– There were rumors that Ansel Galimov and Artur Tyanulin could strengthen the team. Why could not you come to an agreement with them?
A. Marchinsky: We wanted to see Ansel here. But first, the player thought about the offer for a long time, and when he agreed, we signed another hockey player. We could not wait for him for long.
Regarding Tyanulin... Everything was complicated. We considered a couple of options for the development of the situation, but Sochi changed management twice over the summer, so we could not come to a common denominator.
– Did you sign Khisamutdinov more for yourself or for Izhstal?
A. Marchinsky: He is our alumnus. We know his strengths and weaknesses very well. He had a difficult situation at Avtomobilist, when the club would not let him go anywhere. Despite the difficult last two years, Arsen has potential. He is 26 years old, if he can realize his full potential, then we will get a KHL–level player. At the moment, he is at Izhstal to get in shape and get playing practice. If he succeeds in the VHL, then he will get a chance at Neftekhimik. Everything is in his hands.
– Is cooperation with a bookmaker company planned for next season?
I. Larionov: We had three successful seasons with the bookmaker company PARI. Their concept changed, so we agreed with another bookmaker. Our agreement is at the stage of approval and signing. We will enter the season with a new partner.
