#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. The Norilsk hockey club started in the All-Russian Hockey League championship. The northernmost team in the world hosted Magnitka and won.
After the game, the general director of HC Norilsk Evgeny Nikitin shared plans for the season.
“We have an interesting season ahead. The team is in fighting mood. The previous year was successful – it was the debut, the team reached the playoffs, demonstrated that it can play beautiful and productive hockey. Last season showed that our play in the minority was a little limping. This year the team has been seriously renewed, we have a new head coach, very strong specialists came with him. There is always something to work on, and we will do it”, noted Evgeny Nikitin. “Almost two thirds of the team are new guys, but the first line is still with us, in particular our captain. Do we expect more newcomers? We will see as we go along, but now the roster is balanced. During the preseason, we played with CHL teams, among others, and looked very good. Now there is a balance, and if the coaches decide that changes are needed, we will make conclusions”.
Evgeny Nikitin said that the team had an active summer:
“Intensive training camps, and this preseason there were many good matches with strong opponents”.
To the question: “Can we say that hockey is the number one sport in Norilsk?” he answered:
“Norilsk residents love all sports! But if we are talking about hockey, the stands speak for themselves”.
HC Norilsk debuted in the All-Russian Hockey League last year. The first season was successful for the club – the northerners became the only new team that was able to make it to the playoffs.
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Text: Tatyana Ermolayeva, Photo: Roman Kruchinin
