The Sibir hockey club is one of the brightest symbols of our city and, definitely, the most beloved. Behind every successful man there is an equally successful woman. And this project is about those to whom hockey players dedicate their victories, about those who worry and worry the most when they go on the ice. About the most important fans who give their warmth and love every day so that we can rejoice at the success of our team.
Alexandra Alekseeva (#20 Konstantin Alekseev)
This year it will be 10 years that we have been together and 6 years that we have been married. We met by chance, in a common company. And then, six months later, we locked eyes, and Kostya wrote to me that same evening and invited me to meet. We spent the whole day talking together and never parted. We have an even, I would even say, ideal relationship. We just love being together and appreciate these moments.
We're both locals. Kostya has been playing for the team for the 10th year, and, of course, we love this city and will return to Novosibirsk every time. Once I went to Kurgan to pick him up, it was an interesting adventure (smiles), and I’m ready to fly to any city, the main thing is to be nearby.
Of course, it's always nice when the stadium chants my husband's name. We have some of the best fans in the league. But I'm proud of my husband whether he scores goals or not. The defender's performance is not as noticeable as the forwards, but I know he is fine and that's enough for me.
Kostya doesn’t often enter into battle, but if this happens, everything tenses up inside me, in principle, just like for any player from our team. We had many difficult moments related to Kostya’s profession, but for me he is always the best. I know what my husband is capable of, and he knows it. Everyone has ups and downs, it’s important to get through it and move on. Me and our son Timi are always close, and this is the main thing for him.
Victoria Menshikova (#21 Vitaly Menshikov)
We have been together for almost 12 years, and married for 4 years. We met in such an unusual way (laughs). We studied in parallel classes. We looked at each other constantly, but hockey players are shy people, especially in their youth. I had to take the initiative myself, and away we go... Love-Carrot.
On the path of Vitaly’s development as a “mature” hockey player, he had to change many teams, and accordingly, there were many moves, but I was always with him and, as he said, was his support and motivator to achieve his goals (I hope that I remain now). Of course, it was hard for me to leave my hometown, in which I lived all my adult life, but when you love, you close your eyes to a lot.
Novosibirsk has become home to me. My husband says the fans here are the best in the league, and I completely agree with him. And when they chant his name, it gives you goosebumps, an unforgettable feeling.
During conflicts on the ice, I worry very much about my husband. But, firstly, I reassure myself that this is not a fight on the street, where it is unclear what could happen. Secondly, Vitaly is not a timid person, I know that he can stand up for himself, for the honor of the team.
Difficulties in the game are a delicate matter, and first you need to understand whether there is a problem or whether it is imaginary. It’s like the lines in the well-known prayer: “Lord, give me the peace to accept what I cannot change, give me the courage to change what I can change. And give me wisdom to distinguish one from another." Sometimes listening and supporting is enough.
The most important surprise for my husband is a year and a half old. And the name of this miracle is Sofia, this is our daughter.
Victoria Beresneva (#51 Igor Fefelov)
The story of our acquaintance is unusual: neither friends nor any human factor contributed to this. For our time, communication on social networks is already the norm. And, as a rule, these communications lead to nothing, but not in our case. It was enough for us to hear each other’s voice for a mad desire to see each other to appear. For almost 5 months now we have been happy that we trusted our feelings. Every day with him is full of surprises. Valentine's Day is ahead, so I'll come up with ideas and surprise you!
Igor quickly took the “Moscow - Novosibirsk” situation into his own hands and took me to where I should be - next to my man. Igor took care of my comfort to the maximum, so the adaptation was quick and without any difficulties. His attention and attitude played a very important role. I've never been to Siberia, the only thing all my friends told me is that it's very cold there! And they teased me: “You’re just like the Decembrist’s wife.” But still, what matters to me is not where, but with whom. Igor doesn’t let me doubt my decision. In general, people in Novosibirsk are very open and kind, I found everything I needed here. And I want to note - at a decent level.
My reaction to all of Igor’s successes and victories is pride! It’s incredibly nice to hear the fans’ approval, I always convey words of support to Igor! This energizes him and gives him great faith in himself. And I want to note that HC Sibir has the best fans, thanks to them for the incredible atmosphere in the arena.
Faith in a man and love are the main thing! It is important to feel a person. Somewhere we can be silent together, and somewhere we can laugh out loud. I am for positivity in everything, so if something goes wrong, laugh heartily, and I assure you, it will become easier.
The work to which you devote yourself completely, when your eyes light up, when you receive an abundance of emotions from your work, when it becomes part of life, both yours and your family’s, is priceless! Few people can talk about their business like that now. He loves hockey as much as he loves his family! And family is the most important thing for Igor.
We try to spend our free time together, it charges us with the right energy. Of course, we love the sea, the sun, delicious food and sweet sleep. Rest is the restoration of physical and moral strength.
Liliya Chasovitina (#87 Maxim Shalunov)
We have known each other for a very long time, and we have been living together for 2.5 years. We met in 2008 in Tyumen, in my hometown. My best friend's brother is a hockey player, and we periodically went to his games. And then one day we were waiting for him after the game, as usual, and then He appeared. Shalunov Maxim Valerievich in the company of his teammates, and that’s how we met.
I left my hometown when I was 17 years old. She studied at the Academy under the President of the Russian Federation in Moscow. Therefore, changing my place of residence was normal for me. The next step was America: Maxim played there in the North American League in the Chicago Blackhawks farm club, and then Novosibirsk. Novosibirsk is a magnificent city with a very developed infrastructure. There is everything for a comfortable stay here. Well, the most important asset of Novosibirsk is the fans! They are incredible! There are definitely no such things anywhere! When 7,000 fans shout “Maxim Shalunov” - these are indescribable emotions. Pride bursts for her man!
In difficult moments, I encourage them in every possible way, pretending that this is how it should be, because after a black stripe there is always a white one. Many athletes have a very delicate mental organization, and they need to work a lot on themselves - until you put your thoughts in order, everything will not go according to plan, and neither holy water nor church will help.
At the moment, our whole life is connected with hockey. In our free time, we watch TV series, play PlayStation, go to the cinema or have dinner somewhere with friends. It has become a tradition for us to fly to America every summer, where there are many friends left, and there we feel very comfortable.
Photographer: Ksenia Zaitseva (Instagram: zaits_k)
Makeup artists: Marina Pestereva (Instagram: marina_pestereva)
Albina Luneva (Instagram: albina_luneva)
Julia Morgan (Instagram: julia_morgan88)
Elvira Pronina (Instagram: pronina_elvira_muah)
Thank you for the provided form, a network of sports stores SportDepo (Chelyuskintsev St., 14/2)
Thank you indoor skating rink "Siberian Ice" for providing the filming location (Instagram: sibirskyice)
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Maxim Shalunov has completed his journey through the North American leagues and is preparing for an exchange to Admiral. At the request of СhelyabinskHockey.ru, the once most promising hockey player in Russia spoke about fights in the AHL, full arenas in the East Coast League and illegal driving.
About difficulties in the AHL
My year in the USA started with summer camp. Before him, they held a showcase for newcomers, I played well in three games and was invited to the training camp. As a result, the Chicago bosses sent almost everyone to the farm club, but I was ready for this.
What can you say about the AHL? The league is rough, fast, everyone fights, squabbles for every meter of the court. Lots of clashes and fights. I also “embraced” with the enemy once, but it didn’t come to blows. Otherwise everything is calm.
True, things didn’t work out right away for me at the Rockford IceHogs. The reason was a work visa delay, which caused me to miss the first 12 matches. While the team was playing away series, I went to Chicago with a skating coach.
When the visa problem was resolved, the composition was already formed. I was placed in the 3-4 line and given a maximum of 9 minutes of playing time.
Another reason is too much strikers. There were so many of them that some forwards had to play defense. Despite these factors, my statistics are depressing: 4 assists and 0 goals. I can’t explain it, it’s probably psychology.
About the crazy Czech
– To be honest, I’m even glad that the coaches sent me to the ECHL. And I didn’t lose any salary, and I played enough, because the coach trusted me. He was one of the leaders in the Toledo team - he scored 18 goals and gave 16 assists.
By the way, I didn’t feel much difference from the AHL. In the East Coast League, everyone is also rushing, beating, fighting. In comparison, our MHL is resting. Rather, the level is more reminiscent of a “tower”, with the difference that in Russia they value technical guys, and there they value rude and fast ones. If you have speed, good hands and a smart head, then in America you can become a king.
There were fights in every game. The main talent in our team was the Czech Richard Nedomlel. A little bit blew his mind. He threw the stick, took off his leggings and shouted: “Do you want problems? Come here! There were other guys, those who decided fights with one blow to the chin.
About party with fans
– We played in Toledo, a small town where they love hockey. In fact, 8 thousand people gathered for each game. More than at the Traktor arena.
We constantly communicated with our fans. Every Friday we went up to the restaurant-bar and discussed the games in an informal atmosphere.
Over the ocean there is generally complete permissiveness. If they see you in a bar after ten in the evening, no one will say a word. But they don’t break the regime, because the schedule is very difficult, there can be five games a week, so there’s no time for partying. Another factor is extreme competition. Everyone understands that today he is playing, and tomorrow he can lose everything.
About English lessons
– Over the past year I have improved my language quite well. I came to the States with school knowledge at the level of “hello”, “how are you”, and after five months I could communicate freely.
My teacher was Viktor Svidberg, a tall guy from Sweden with whom I played in Rockford. At first I didn’t understand what he was saying at all, I just nodded with a smart look. But he patiently explained banal things to me on his fingers, and over time I started talking.
About buying a car
– The craziest thing I’ve ever done is buy a BMW third series. It was impossible to do this, because I don’t have an American license, and Russian ones are valid for the first three months. A car dealer I met in Chicago helped me out. Until the New Year, I traveled with insurance obtained through his “Social Security Number”, and then without any documents at all.
In the first four days I was fined twice. Once for illegal parking, another for speeding. Instead of the allowed 45 miles, the Swede and I flew at 70. Another three miles and I would have been put behind bars. I drew conclusions, understood how to travel to the USA and they didn’t slow me down anymore.
About travel
– As a tourist, I visited three major cities – Chicago, Miami and Detroit. The latter has a criminal reputation in the States. The guys discouraged us from going there, warning us that gangsters would rob us at the first gas station. It turned out that everything is not so scary. At ChMZ, it’s more dangerous in the evenings.
Detroit seemed like a lonely and empty city to me. There are few people and cars, only police cars constantly rush along the roads, patrolling the streets.
About "Admiral"
– I initially left for a year to rethink my career, live independently, become a real man. I'm happy that I got this experience and watched how people work. In America they plow more than we do, but get paid less.
The Toledo coaches advised me to stay, they promised to give me good recommendations, but the option with Admiral turned up. Money has nothing to do with it. Long flights, by the way, don’t scare me, because I’m used to sleeping like a log on an airplane.
I haven’t closed the option with America, but if everything goes well in the KHL, then I won’t give up.
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About North American Hockey
- Guys who want to leave should know that no one needs them there. Canada and the USA are full of their own hockey players who also want to eat and earn a living. In Russia you can be the best, considered a rising star, but there you are nobody and no one can call you. You need to make a name again, there is no other way.
Photo: Valery ZVONAREV, official website of Toledo, free sources
Maxim Valerievich Shalunov(January 31, Chelyabinsk) - Russian hockey player, forward. Player of the Russian national team. Pupil of the Chelyabinsk "Traktor". In the 2013/2014 season, he played for the Chicago Blackhawks farm club, Rockford IceHogs (AHL). Winner of the bronze medal of the KHL championship of the 2014/2015 season. Currently, he is a player for Sibir Novosibirsk, which plays in the KHL.
Career
Maxim Shalunov began his professional career in 2009 as part of the Chelyabinsk club of the Youth Hockey League “White Bears”. In his debut season, Maxim played only 7 matches on the court, in which, however, he scored 12 (8+4) points. In 2010, at the KHL draft, he was selected in the 1st round, 15th overall, by his native Traktor. The following season, Maxim continued to improve his performance, scoring 43 (23+20) points in 44 matches played. Moreover, on October 5, 2010, in a match against Khanty-Mansiysk "Ugra" Shalunov made his debut in the Kontinental Hockey League, spending more than 11 minutes on the court, and on January 3, 2011, in a game with the same opponent, he scored his first point in the KHL, making assist.
In 2013, he took part in preseason training for the Chicago Blackhawks, but did not receive a place in the lineup, after which he was sent to the AHL farm club, the Rockford IceHogs.
On June 19, 2014, Traktor exchanged the rights to Shalunov to Admiral, and a month later the Vladivostok club sent the player to Sibir.
International
As part of the Russian national team, Maxim Shalunov took part in the 2010 Junior World Championship, where the Russians managed to take only 4th place, and Maxim himself scored 4 (3+1) points in 7 matches played. At the next world championship, the national team became a bronze medalist, and Shalunov scored 3 (2+1) scoring points in 6 matches.
As a member of the Russian national team, he took part in the World Youth Championship, where the team won bronze medals, and Maxim scored 2 (0 + 2) points in 6 matches played.
Achievements
- Bronze medalist at the Junior World Championships ().
- Bronze medalist of the Youth World Championship ().
Performance statistics
Last updated: March 16, 2016| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | Games | G | P | Points | +/- | Shtr | Games | G | P | Points | +/- | Shtr |
| 2009/10 | Polar Bears | MHL | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | +6 | 12 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 7 | +4 | 6 |
| 2010/11 | Polar Bears | MHL | 39 | 22 | 14 | 36 | +13 | 30 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 2 |
| 2010/11 | Tractor | KHL | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2011/12 | Polar Bears | MHL | 48 | 30 | 30 | 60 | -1 | 60 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2012/13 | Polar Bears | MHL | 7 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 4 | 6 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2012/13 | Chelmet | VHL | 19 | 2 | 7 | 9 | -10 | 10 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2012/13 | Tractor | KHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2014/15 | Siberia | KHL | 33 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -7 | 8 | 16 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 4 |
| 2015/16 | Siberia | KHL | 59 | 18 | 12 | 30 | +6 | 32 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 8 |
| Total in the KHL | 99 | 19 | 16 | 35 | -3 | 40 | 26 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 10 | 12 | ||
| Total in career | 221 | 42 | 30 | 72 | +16 | 74 | 35 | 13 | 12 | 25 | 14 | 20 | ||
International
| Year | Team | Tournament | Place | AND | G | P | ABOUT | +/- | Shtr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat. Russia (junior) | JWCH | 4 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 4 | +3 | 31 | |
| Sat. Russia (junior) | JWCH | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -3 | 0 | ||
| Sat. Russia (youth) | MFM | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | +2 | 6 | ||
| Total Sat. Russia (junior and youth) | 19 | 5 | 4 | 9 | +2 | 37 | |||
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Notes
Links
- (Russian)
| Hockey club "Sibir" - current lineup | |
|---|---|
|
5 Glukhov 7 Shumakov 8 Artyomov 9 Ivanov 10 Skabelka 15 Misharin 16 Polashek 17 Okulov 18 Zhafyarov 21 Menshikov 22 Gubin 23 Kemppainen 30 Taylor (G) 33 Sergienko 39 Sannikov 43 Ignatovich 44 Artyukhin 46 Lukin 51 Fefelov 53 Salak (B) 55 Vereshchagin 61 Yakovlev 77 Belyakov 84 Krasikov (V) 87 Shalunov 88 | |
Excerpt characterizing Shalunov, Maxim Valerievich
The general expression on Kutuzov’s face was one of concentrated, calm attention and tension, which barely overcame the fatigue of his weak and old body.At eleven o'clock in the morning they brought him the news that the flushes occupied by the French were again repulsed, but that Prince Bagration was wounded. Kutuzov gasped and shook his head.
“Go to Prince Pyotr Ivanovich and find out in detail what and how,” he said to one of the adjutants and then turned to the Prince of Wirtemberg, who stood behind him:
“Would it please Your Highness to take command of the first army?”
Soon after the prince's departure, so soon that he could not yet get to Semenovsky, the prince's adjutant returned from him and reported to his Serene Highness that the prince was asking for troops.
Kutuzov winced and sent Dokhturov an order to take command of the first army, and asked the prince, whom he said he could not do without at these important moments, to return to his place. When the news of Murat’s capture was brought and the staff congratulated Kutuzov, he smiled.
“Wait, gentlemen,” he said. “The battle has been won, and there is nothing unusual in the capture of Murat.” But it's better to wait and rejoice. “However, he sent an adjutant to travel through the troops with this news.
When Shcherbinin rode up from the left flank with a report about the French occupation of flushes and Semenovsky, Kutuzov, guessing from the sounds of the battlefield and from Shcherbinin’s face that the news was bad, stood up, as if stretching his legs, and, taking Shcherbinin by the arm, took him aside .
“Go, my dear,” he said to Ermolov, “see if anything can be done.”
Kutuzov was in Gorki, in the center of the position of the Russian army. The attack directed by Napoleon on our left flank was repulsed several times. In the center the French did not move further than Borodin. From the left flank, Uvarov's cavalry forced the French to flee.
In the third hour the French attacks stopped. On all the faces who came from the battlefield, and on those who stood around him, Kutuzov read an expression of tension that had reached the highest degree. Kutuzov was pleased with the success of the day beyond expectations. But the old man’s physical strength left him. Several times his head dropped low, as if falling, and he dozed off. He was served dinner.
The outhouse adjutant Wolzogen, the same one who, driving past Prince Andrei, said that the war must be im Raum verlegon [transferred into space (German)], and whom Bagration hated so much, drove up to Kutuzov during lunch. Wolzogen arrived from Barclay with a report on the progress of affairs on the left flank. The prudent Barclay de Tolly, seeing the crowds of wounded running away and the upset backsides of the army, having weighed all the circumstances of the case, decided that the battle was lost, and with this news he sent his favorite to the commander-in-chief.
Kutuzov chewed the fried chicken with difficulty and looked at Wolzogen with narrowed, cheerful eyes.
Wolzogen, casually stretching his legs, with a half-contemptuous smile on his lips, approached Kutuzov, lightly touching the visor with his hand.
Wolzogen treated His Serene Highness with a certain affected carelessness, the purpose of which was to show that he, as a highly educated military man, was allowing the Russians to make an idol out of this old, useless man, and he himself knew with whom he was dealing. “Der alte Herr (as the Germans called Kutuzov in their circle) macht sich ganz bequem, [The old gentleman settled down calmly (German)] - thought Wolzogen and, looking sternly at the plates standing in front of Kutuzov, began to report to the old gentleman the state of affairs on the left flank as Barclay ordered him and as he himself saw and understood it.
- All points of our position are in the hands of the enemy and there is nothing to recapture, because there are no troops; “They are running, and there is no way to stop them,” he reported.
Kutuzov, stopping to chew, stared at Wolzogen in surprise, as if not understanding what was being said to him. Wolzogen, noticing the excitement of des alten Herrn, [the old gentleman (German)] said with a smile:
- I did not consider myself entitled to hide from your lordship what I saw... The troops are in complete disorder...
-Have you seen it? Have you seen?.. – Kutuzov shouted, frowning, quickly getting up and advancing on Wolzogen. “How do you... how dare you!..”, he shouted, making threatening gestures with shaking hands and choking. - How dare you, dear sir, say this to me? You don't know anything. Tell General Barclay from me that his information is incorrect and that the real course of the battle is known to me, the commander-in-chief, better than to him.
Wolzogen wanted to object, but Kutuzov interrupted him.
- The enemy is repulsed on the left and defeated on the right flank. If you have not seen well, dear sir, then do not allow yourself to say what you do not know. Please go to General Barclay and convey to him the next day my absolute intention to attack the enemy,” Kutuzov said sternly. Everyone was silent, and all that could be heard was the heavy breathing of the out of breath old general. “They were repulsed everywhere, for which I thank God and our brave army.” The enemy has been defeated, and tomorrow we will drive him out of the sacred Russian land,” said Kutuzov, crossing himself; and suddenly sobbed from the tears that came. Wolzogen, shrugging his shoulders and pursing his lips, silently walked away to the side, wondering uber diese Eingenommenheit des alten Herrn. [at this tyranny of the old gentleman. (German)]
“Yes, here he is, my hero,” Kutuzov said to the plump, handsome, black-haired general, who was entering the mound at that time. It was Raevsky, who spent the whole day at the main point of the Borodino field.
Raevsky reported that the troops were firmly in their places and that the French did not dare to attack anymore. After listening to him, Kutuzov said in French:
– Vous ne pensez donc pas comme lesautres que nous sommes obliges de nous retirer? [You don't think, then, like others, that we should retreat?]
In the previous four seasons, Siberia has always been a participant in the playoffs. The Novosibirsk team beat Ak Bars and Magnitka in the cup rounds, stopped twice in the second round, and in 2015 reached the conference finals, becoming the bronze medalist of the KHL championship. But this season things are not going so well for Sibir. Seven matches before the end of the regular season, the Siberians are not included in the playoff zone, five points behind the coveted eight.
The best sniper of the Novosibirsk club is now a 23-year-old striker. In the current championship, Shalunov was forced to miss some matches due to injury, and as a result, in 41 games he scored 33 (18+15) points. It was Maxim Shalunov who represented Sibir at the 2017 KHL All-Star Game in Ufa.
“I remember the full stands at the All-Star Game”
What emotions did you feel when you found out that the fans chose you to participate in the All-Star Game?
I want to say a huge thank you to the fans for this. Thanks to them, I got into the first link - it’s an indescribable feeling. I hope I didn't let them down.
The KHL has changed the format of the All-Star Game.
I think this is the right decision: to make such a holiday for two days. If everything had happened in one day, we wouldn’t have had time to soak in the amazing atmosphere. And now everything has become complete.
On the first day, a Master Show took place on the ice of the Ufa Arena. What was your most memorable moment from this event?
Honestly? Atmosphere! The stands are full, Ufa knows how to cheer: a good hockey city. There were fun and interesting competitions. Both we and the fans liked them.
Perhaps you had a desire to participate in a certain discipline?
I didn't care. I was ready for anything (smiles).
You ran in the medley relay with Sami Lepisto and Jan Kolář, as well as in the speed relay. Where was it more fun?
Both were interesting. In the first one I had to quit right away, which I like, in principle. In the second relay race we had to run a circle as quickly as possible. We won and did well.
That is, the sports principle was still present in the Master Show?
Certainly. We are athletes! It's always nice to win when you compete.
“Mozyakin and Medvedev set the tone in the East locker room”
Did you have the opportunity to see the city during your stay in Ufa?
To be honest, it didn’t work out, because when I arrived in Ufa, I didn’t feel very well. I spent more time in my room.
Which KHL stars did you enjoy communicating with? Who was the funniest guy of the weekend?
I had a good conversation with all the guys. Our East team was generally cheerful: Sergei Mozyakin and Zhenya Medvedev set the tone, everything was at home in the locker room (smiles).
What instructions did the coaches of the Eastern teams, Ilya Vorobyov and Fedor Kanareikin, give you?
Not particularly motivated (laughs). They told us to go out, and then we can do everything ourselves (smiles).
Famous hockey commentators made their debut as assistant head coaches in Ufa.
By the way, they just told us what and how to do to be better.
You were the only representative of Siberia. Which other team players were missing in Ufa?
Of course, Sergei Shumakov.
“Salak is practically the entire team, he could easily be the captain”
“Sibir” now has a difficult situation in the standings - the team is not yet in the playoffs. How do you plan to resolve the issue?
Now there will be seven matches - almost all of them are play-offs, with our direct competitors. We just have to go out and win, then we'll be in the playoffs. In principle, we can do this.
Did the injury to main goalkeeper Alexander Salak at the beginning of the season greatly affect Siberia's play?
Sasha, Sasha... As they say, the goalkeeper is half the team. And we have Salak - almost the entire team. Such a personality, both in the locker room and on the ice.
Judging by your words, Salak could become a captain?
He would easily become a captain if he were not a goalkeeper (laughs).
In that situation, the place in goal was entrusted to young Alexei Krasikov. Did the team change the game model then?
No, we had the same game model. I will say that Alexey is great! He didn’t shy away, he immediately came out and made us understand that there was no need to panic too much.
What does Andrei Skabelka require from players now?
It requires us to go to every game as if it were our last, because for us the playoffs started a long time ago. There is no room for error. Everything is at work.
Novosibirsk lives by hockey: at Siberia's home matches the stadium is always full, the fans support the team great. This support is probably felt in a special way right now, during a difficult period?
It’s always like this in Novosibirsk. What Sibir fans are famous for is that they share this burden with us both in sorrow and in joy. In fact, it's very nice. When there is support, it is much easier to get out of the hole, because you feel that they believe in the team.
“Skabelka and Tarasenko show me something new every day”
In Siberia, you first played on the edge, then began to play in the center of the attack. Where do you feel more comfortable?
Now I’ve been playing in the center for the second season, so I’m very comfortable in this position.
So, Maxim Shalunov’s defensive skills are all right?
Trained up (smiles).
You are having your best statistical season in the KHL: 18 goals, 15 assists, 33 points. How did you manage to reach a new level and break last season's record?
I think due to work. Many thanks to the coaches for trusting me: Andrei Vladimirovich Skabelka, Andrei Tarasenko. Because they teach me some skills, they show me something new every day.
Your partnership with Sergei Shumakov managed to make a splash in the championship. The current season is no exception. How did you manage to quickly find mutual understanding?
Then I played on the edge, and they decided to try me in the center. We put him together with Seryoga. Until that moment, he and I had never gone out on the ice together. Once they even sat with him and laughed about the fact that I played with everyone, but not with him, and so did he. Again, thanks to Andrei Vladimirovich Skabelka for putting us together.
After all, Stepan Sannikov is on your team.
Styopa can do everything: defend, score a goal, and make a subtle pass. It is also an integral part of the mechanism.
You are one of the leaders of Siberia. Is it difficult to lead a team?
These are tough times. It's actually not easy.
Which of the Sibir players has revealed themselves the most this season?
This season Kostya Okulov revealed himself. Really talented guy.
“Znarok is a fair motivator”
In 2013, you tried your hand at the Chicago Blackhawks, went through training camp with the team, played in the farm club, but never made it to the main team. What got in the way?
I wasn't ready.
In what way?
In the physical.
Do you now keep in mind the option of going overseas, given that the contract with Siberia expires this spring?
Now, honestly, I don’t think about anything. We need to finish the season with dignity.
Thanks to your effective performance for the club, you were called up to the Russian national team. What does this mean to you?
It’s a great honor for me to stand up for my country, it’s very nice. It’s an indescribable feeling when you’re on a team with such masters, and we have quite a few of them. And of course, great experience.
How is it working with Oleg Znarok?
Wonderful.
Describe him as a coach.
He is a fair motivator.
You probably have more than enough aspirations to get into the Russian national team for the 2017 World Cup?
And who doesn’t strive? (Smiles.) Of course, I would like to get there and win top medals.
“The clubs were not taken away on the way to training at ChTZ”
You are originally from Chelyabinsk. Do you often visit your hometown?
It only works in summer. This year I was unable to travel to my hometown because I was injured.
You had a great team in the Polar Bears, some of the guys are now successfully playing in the NHL. Do you continue to communicate?
Yes, we communicate. In the summer we all meet and see each other.
Evgeny Kuznetsov said in one of his interviews that he lived in a difficult area of Chelyabinsk. Where did you grow up?
I am originally from the North-West, but I spent my entire childhood at ChTZ. Because there is both the Traktor school and the school where I studied.
Were your clubs taken away on the way to training?
No (laughs). Everyone there knows each other.
How do you take your mind off hockey?
I play the console a little, sometimes I go to the movies. Basically, I like to spend time at home.
You are wearing number 87. Is Crosby an idol?
No no (laughs). In fact, Crosby is a great player, especially this season. And 87 is just a beautiful number, for me.
How do you usually spend your holidays?
Actively. I can't sit in one place (smiles).
Did you like the Dominican Republic?
To be honest, not really. For the reason that there was a hotel holiday. For me, it’s better to move, to go see something, so that a normal city is nearby.
Where would you like to visit: a childhood dream?
I had a dream to visit Italy. She was really very big. I visited Milan last summer for only three days. I really want to go to Rome.
So are you a football fan?
No, only hockey (laughs).
Maxim Valerievich Shalunov
Career: “Traktor” - 2010-2013; "Chelmet" - 2012-2013; Rockford Ice Hogs - 2013-2014; "Toledo Wallay" - 2013-2014; "Siberia" - 2014-present
Achievements: bronze medalist of the Junior World Championships (2011), bronze medalist of the MFM (2013)
In one of the interviews, Maxim Shalunov said that he was going to become the same bright forward as his Polar Bears colleague Evgeniy Kuznetsov. So far, Maxim has managed to “keep the bar.” So, for example, in a recent match with Omsk Hawks, he scored two goals (final score 5:1), and was recognized as the best player of the meeting.
Near the locker room, Max was “pounced” by young autograph collectors and fans of photographs with stars. Even Evgeny Kuznetsov, who was standing nearby, did not receive as much attention from fans that evening as the Bears’ top scorer, Maxim Shalunov: handsome, blond, 190 cm tall and with a Hollywood smile. True, Shalunov is not yet as good at giving interviews as Kuznetsov. He is even shy about his two meters (if with skates), and bends over a little so as not to look down on the journalists. Answers all questions openly. And this cannot but captivate. His Polar Bears partners say that Max is always like this - cheerful and sincere.
One transfer so far
- Next season, your place in the “first team” of “Traktor” is reserved, after all, you are the top scorer of the “Polar Bears”?
I, of course, hope that Valery Konstantinovich Belousov will involve me in games. If they call me, I guarantee I will try my best. This is the dream of any hockey player who currently plays in the MHL. This year I have six matches for the main team. So far I can only boast of one assist. The guys said that I scored a goal, but they recorded an assist in the scoresheet. This season, the main thing is to get into the playoffs with the Polar Bears and play well there. My future at Traktor also depends on this.
- Before the decisive games for a ticket to the Kharlamov Cup, did the Bears’ training change? Maybe there is a special emphasis on something?
Everything is as usual. Our training is always intense, from beginning to end the guys do everything conscientiously. We practice all tactical and technical elements in each line - both in defense and in attack.
With Sapozhnikov everything is different
- For one part of the season, Stanislav Shadrin led the team, then Andrei Sapozhnikov replaced him as head coach. What did the new coach bring to training, did the team’s play change?
As for the game, you can probably see the differences better from the stands. At least, under the new coach, we ended many important matches in our favor. There are also differences in the training process. New exercises have appeared, some elements of execution have changed. The final effect of the preparation depends on this. Now I like, for example, the one-zero exercise, when you push off from two players, roll out, the pass is returned to you, and you shoot at goal.
- Do you have a least favorite exercise?
Many people don’t like to run at speed around the court (laughs). But it needs to be done. When you realize that this is not for the coach, but for yourself, your strength increases.
- Your partner in “Polar Bears” Evgeny Kuznetsov recently announced his wedding. Have you thought about getting married yet?
Of course, there is a girlfriend. My name is Marina, she studies at SUSU. I don’t even know what specialty yet. Let's meet. But I’m not going to get married yet (smiles). Not yet, sport comes first.
DOSSIER "KP"
Maxim SHALUNOV. 18 years old. Attack. Game number - 88. Height 190 cm, weight 84 kg. This season he played 36 games for the Polar Bears and scored 34 points (21+13). He is currently the team's top scorer.
