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Author: Konstantin Ivipin (Sport.ru)
Translated By: Eugene Belashchenko | Date: 08/24/2007 |
| Andrei Taratukhin (Calgary Flames): I did have an offer from Salavat Yulayev, but I dream of Calgary |
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Andrei Taratukhin (Calgary Flames) at Team Russia's training camp (Photo Source: RussianProspects exclusive) | Former Lokomotiv Yaroslavl forward, unlike the recent trends, is planning for a second attempt at making the NHL. In any interview with Sport.ru, Andrei Taratukhin (Calgary Flames) has shared why he is trying so hard to make Calgary and stood up to defend hcokey in the depths of America and shared his thoughts regarding Vladimir Yurzinov-Sr. [the former head coach of HC Lokomotiv].
Andrei, just a year and a half ago you played at the Olympics in Turin for the Russian national team, and then you disappeared. Some guessed that you have been put on such a high level of hockey too early and have somehow broken down.
A. Taratukhin: It’s strange to hear things like that. Of course I have some great impressions from the Olympics, but it is not by any means that I lost confidence in myself. In some cases I really didn’t have enough experience – but so what? From another perspective, I now know better on which elements of my game I need to work on. Last summer I decided that it would be better for me to leave for the NHL. I wasn’t successful in securing a spot with Calgary – but that’s not the end. I believe that this past year with the farm club has been very useful.
You left Russia not without a scandal. Yaroslavl’s management is still hurt by the fact that you tore apart your contract with the Super League club.
A. Taratukhin: No, after some time we started again to communicate positively. I don’t feel comfortable in front of Vladimir Yurzinov Sr. I haven’t called him in quite some time, even though it was him who did so much for me and he is why I started playing well in Yaroslavl and made the national team.
You currently have a two way contract in Calgary. If you are sent down to the farm team, you will once again lose a lot of money. Maybe there it is reasonable to consider returning home?
A. Taratukhin: Yes, during the offseason I did have offers from the Super League, for example from Salavat Yulayev. You can consider me stubborn, but I dreamed from childhood to play in the NHL. Besides that, have you ever been to Calgary? In that city the hockey players are the top people, and it seems they are more popular than any politicians. The club’s logos are everywhere – in stores, on the streets, in the newspapers. I would like to play in such an atmosphere. Besides, the quality of hockey there without a doubt better than in the Super League.
But what about the money?
A. Taratukhin: I will not lie – the farm club salaries do not at all compare to those of the Super League. If not for the signing bonus – everything would have been very difficult. Still, I believe it was worthwhile.
I will try to scare you for the last time: your team has now been placed under the “terrible” Mike Keenan. And they say, that he can easily hit a player in the kidneys during a game.
A. Taratukhin: It’s nothing to be concerned about. I have spoken to Alexei Kovalev (Montreal Canadiens) about him. He todld me: if you work hard, Keenan won’t say a singled bad word to you.
You mentioned that the AHL season benefited you. But in Russia this league is often discussed in a lot of negative terms.
A. Taratukhin: I promise you that it is not easy to play there. First, the schedule is very condensed. There are times when we had five games in one week. Second the hockey itself is very unique – there is a lot of physical play. By the way, when compared to the Super Leauge, there is a lot less dirty play – none of the hooking and tripping.
What place do you think the leading AHL teams could take in the Super League?
A. Taratukhin: It’s difficult to compare. The rinks in North America are different, so the tactics differ greatly from the Super League. To add to that, the clubs themselves constantly change lineups. I played in Omaha and a year ago the team was losing to everyone, but last year we were fighting for first place in our conference. There are a number of factors to consider. For example, the NHL club might dictate who should be placed on the top line and who should be held back. For example, defenseman Vitya Uchevatov played for Nashville’s farm club last year, but he didn’t have a contract with the NHL club. That is why they did not work as much with him and often put him in reserve. But with that said, Uchevatov did not play worse than anyone else.
And you were trusted?
A. Taratukhin: Yes, I got a lot of ice time. Usually I got around 20 to 25 minutes per game. Sometimes I never left the ice on the power play. In the end I earned 60 (17+43) points. It’s too bad that I didn’t get a chance to play in the playoffs. During the last game of the regular season I was hit knee-on-knee and was recovering for a month.
In America our players often fall into some comical situations due to their lack of knowledge of English. Did you experience any of this?
A. Taratukhin: I really did have to improve my English during the season. During the rookie banquet in Calgary, I remember it was quite difficult. I was dressed as a rapper, with a hoodie and wide jeans and a hat with a flipped up tip. It fell on me to tell a joke and I told something with children’s humor. The guys probably laughed out of politeness.
The banquet wasn’t too cheap either was it?
A. Taratukhin: I heard that in other clubs, where there were only two or three rookies people dished out five thousand dollars. In Calgary you can say I got lucky. There were a few of us chipping in, so everything ended up to be about 700 dollars each.
Are you ready for the upcoming training camp?
A. Taratukhin: Yes, I started to work out back in June. In Calgary I got an individually designed play. Recently I returned from St. Petersburg, where I worked out with other guy, who play in North America. Amongst them were Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals), Evgeni Malkin, Sergei Gonchar (Pittsburgh Penguins). I got there during the third week of the workouts. I never in my life ran so much. They worked us on the sand and in the mountains. The program was designed by Dmitri Kapitonov – who is a specialist in marathon distances. So, it was truly challenging.
Do you know how many competitors you will be up against for a spot in Calgary’s lineup?
A. Taratukhin: Yes, the team already has five centers with one-way contracts. I understand that it won’t be easy to make the team. Still, the management did assure me that they will most certainly move up one or two guys from the farm club to the main team. I do believe that I have already played enough in the AHL.
Konstantin Ivi\pin (Sport.ru) Translated by: Eugene Belashchenko
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Related Player Profiles: . S.Gonchar A.Kovalev A.Ovechkin A.Taratukhin |
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| Super League Statistics | Regular Season
2007-08, 2006-07, 2005-06, 2004-05, 2003-04, 2002-03, | Playoffs
2007-08, 2006-07, 2005-06, 2004-05, 2003-04, 2002-03, | | High League Statistics | Regular Season
2007-08, 2005-06, 2004-05, 2003-04, 2002-03, |
07-08 Super League
Playoff Leaders | | Points | Yashin, Alexei 14 (8+6)
Morozov, Alexei 11 (4+7)
Volkov, Igor 11 (9+2)
Zinovjev, Sergei 11 (4+7)
Nepriayev, Ivan 9 (3+6)
| | Goals | Volkov, Igor 9
Yashin, Alexei 8
Rybin, Maxim 5
Tereschenko, Alexei 5
Artyukhin, Evgeny 4
| | Assists | Morozov, Alexei 7
Zinovjev, Sergei 7
Koltsov, Kiril 6
Nepriayev, Ivan 6
Tverdovsky, Oleg 6
| | PIM | Rybin, Maxim 54
Nepriayev, Ivan 41
Makarov, Igor 35
Kulyash, Denis 34
Kulemin, Nikolai 29
| | Complete Playoff Stats | | |
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