Traditional meeting before the playoffs
23.03.2026
On March 23, at the Almash hockey training center, Nizhnekamskneftekhim PJSC General Director M. I. Falyakhov, Head of the Nizhnekamsk Municipal District R. I. Belyaev, and State Duma Deputy A. R. Metshin met with Neftekhimik's management, coaching staff, and players and addressed their best wishes before the playoffs.
Nizhnekamskneftekhim PJSC General Director Marat Falyakhov:– What you have already accomplished, and what you continue to accomplish, is incredible. You have done incredibly well. Now, wherever I go – whether it's on company–wide matters, externally, in the city, or in the republic (Tatarstan) – almost no one asks how the company is working. The main thing they asking about is the team.
You are doing a great job for the city, the republic, and the country. I sincerely believe that your victories, and to some extent, your defeats, contribute to uniting the city and bringing our employees closer together. The company is driven by this too – we cannot just live by the formula: come in, make a rubber block, and go home satisfied. Everyone needs emotion, we all need a big idea. For us, hockey – what you do – is a big idea, and I am sure we will go a long way with it. I would like to wish us victory in the grand sense of the word. Because we, as a team, as a company, as a country – are currently fighting for a big victory. I am confident that you and all of us will achieve it. I would also like to thank the guys who came from other regions, from other countries, sometimes even continents, who are forging this victory with us. Huge respect to you guys, and to everyone who does this great work: the coaching staff, and those who feed, clothe, transport, massage, and treat you. We continue to root for you.
The Mayor of Nizhnekamsk Radmir Belyayev:
– We are all fans. And we worry and rejoice when you win. I would like to point out that without the support of our city–forming enterprise, Nizhnekamskneftekhim, and the board of directors and management of SIBUR, we would not have such a strong hockey scene in our city. Yes, Nizhnekamsk is a small city in terms of population, but it is very large economically. We have powerful petrochemical plants, and Nizhnekamskneftekhim is undoubtedly the flagship, maintaining a long–standing tradition of fully maintaining an ice rink and a team that plays in the KHL. This is invaluable because it directly impacts the spirit of our people, the pride Nizhnekamsk residents feel for their hometown. When six thousand of our residents come and sincerely root for the team, you feel it yourself as you battle your opponent, and it gives you strength.
I always see children from the hockey school in the stands. They, looking at you, accomplished hockey players, the way you play and what you achieve, aspire to be just like you. I am pleased that about a third of the team are our alumni. This is very gratifying. This is your social mission, which makes a huge contribution to the city's development.
Nizhnekamsk is one big family. Industrialists, athletes, and residents – we are all one family. We all work towards results, so that our wonderful city can develop. May there be more positive moments like this – may we gather not just once every three years, but at least every year. And if we even reach the finals, then, I think, it will be an even more exciting for the whole city. I wish you good luck and success. Let's go!
Aidar Metshin, State Duma Deputy:
– You know that there are only 1,113 cities in Russia, and Nizhnekamsk is 81st by population. We are truly a large city. And the emotions we received as a result of your high–quality play this season are invaluable. For this, I would like to say thank you. You are awesome and great. Thank you so much for these emotions, we really hope and are confident that you will show your best in the playoffs. You know how to play hockey, this is your job, and you do it well. Thank you for that, and I wish you continued success!
Neftekhimik Director Igor Larionov:
– You know, we traditionally hold these meetings before the start of the season and the playoffs. For the first time in the club's history, our city mayor, Radmir Ildarovich as well as Aidar Raisovich are here with us. Thank you so much for finding the time in your busy schedules to support and motivate the guys.
This season, our team is being called a revelation, thanks to the work of the coaching staff and you personally, guys. We beat Dynamo Moscow, Dinamo Minsk, and Spartak 2–0. CSKA Moscow tied 1–1. Metallurg tied 2–2, and Lokomotiv tied 1–1. Our players did it. The most important games are ahead, the ones we have been building toward all season. And, looking back, I am confident in your strengths, your potential, that we can, and you can, achieve even more. That is why we all wanted to support you today and remind you that the strong–willed achieve great victories. You have proven it, and you can do it.
Neftekhimik Head Coach Igor Grishin:
– Thank you very much for the attention shown to our team by the company and the city. It is great to see you all at our games; we all feel the support. Thank you very much for the kind words! So many, even too many, very kind words. But I think it's still a bit early. On behalf of my team, our team, and myself personally, I want to say that we do not need a lot of words right now. We need to go out there and simply do what we know how to do, and to the best of our ability. That means gathering all our resources, all our skills, all our physical preparation, and throwing them into these upcoming games. I hope the team will support me in this. We need to show it with our actions.
Neftekhimik Captain Alexander Dergachyov:
– Iwill say a few words on behalf of the team. Thank you for your words of encouragement, for your personal presence, for the support you have shown us during the regular season and now. We appreciate it all, we always see it, we always respect it. We have a tough road ahead of us. We are ready for it. And now I do not want to say much. Let's do it!
