— In the summer, we saw a unique moment when you were transferred from the edge to the center. When did you realize that you wanted to be a center forward?
— I always wanted to try myself in the center. Because center forwards are somehow more exclusive, the whole game goes through them. Not everyone can play in the center, and it’s still easier on the edge. But the center is a multifunctional position, and there is a greater volume of work there. Here you need to keep up with everything - both in defense and in attack. And on the edge you can only play in attack, and in defense the center will do everything for you.
And so, as a center forward, I myself find myself in a role where I have to insure my partners in defense and help the defenders. It's a challenge for me and I love something new. I myself am interested in how I can progress in this role. I think I will succeed. I learn everything quickly. If they tell me, I will listen to everything, doing what is asked of me.
— You used to play as a center forward at Lokomotiv.
— Yes, it happened in a couple of matches when I was a child.
- Why are there so many wingers coming out of our children’s schools, but there is such a shortage of center forwards?
“Now we’ll correct this situation.” But in general, in children's hockey they often change roles - they can try in the center, and on the edge, and transfer to attack from defense. There is nothing wrong with this. For example, Ivan Demidov - they also tried him in the center, then they started putting him on the edge. He does a great job there, and there is no point in changing anything.
— Is it difficult for a center forward to win 55-60% of face-offs? What is needed for this?
— We must strive for this, work on this skill every day. Without this, nothing will happen. You have to learn how to win faceoffs. And feel the moment when the puck hits the ice in order to act more sharply than your opponent.
— Are there a million tricks here or is it all simple?
— Until I absolutely did not understand how to ideally act on throwouts. This will only come with experience. I would say that this is a competition for reaction, and composure is important. I don’t like to lose, so I have to resist, put my hands harder. I think even center forwards who have been playing in this position for five years do not clearly know what the point of a throw-in is and how to win at the point. It’s not easy, and you won’t understand it in one day. We need to try it and get to know this component better.
