Traktor’s management concluded the 2012/2013 season with the final press-conference

Question to Belousov: If we recall the 2010/2011 season, in the midst of which Valery Belousov was appointed as head coach, Traktor’s objective was to get to the Gagarin Cup Finals. After two years, this objective has been reached. But back then hockey experts were skeptical towards this bold statement. Valery Konstantinovich, did you believe two years ago that you would be able to get your team to the finals?
Belousov: We did not set any specific dates. When the 2011 season was over, we gathered together and decided we needed some fresh blood since we have a superb hockey school; but we also needed a couple of veterans. We did manage to sign them and had a great 2011/2012 season, winning the Continent Cup and bronze medals. Then we needed to save the core of the team and carry out pinpoint selection process, as they say. Today most of the team is Chelyabinsk natives, and we have to keep this trend going. Traktor is well-respected now. It wasn’t like this a season ago; this season it was clear that our opponents were strongly motivated in matches against us. We need to keep up the good work.

Question to Belousov: Which team is stronger of the two – the one circa early 1990s that also had two medal seasons in a row or the current one?
Belousov: You can’t really compare them. The 1990s was Chelyabinsk’s own from stem to stern. It was a great team too, many of the players regularly played for the national team. Anyhow, these two teams are very different. And by the way, if we had been allowed to save that roster back in 1990s, Traktor would have been the flagship team in Russian hockey for several years at least.

Question to Belousov: You have the most titles under your belt than any other Russian coach. Do you feel like the bronze medals in 2012 and second place finish in 2013 is the brightest spot in your professional career?
Belousov: I really am not sure. Obviously, it’s a pleasant feeling when Traktor is among the top teams in KHL. Everyone knew we could go as far as we did and tried as hard as they could. Maybe we will get to the Cup one step at a time – bronze in 2012, silver in 2013… (laughs).

Question to Tsybuk: Touching upon the selection process, whom would you call a successful purchase?
Tsybuk: I don’t want to get personal here. All I can say is each player had a great season, and the overall results speak volumes.

Question to Krechin: After Nichushkin was called up to the U18 national team, did you really have to engage in a war for him?
Krechin: Yes we did. We wanted to go all-in in order to get him to stay. Russian Hockey Federation did us a favor, so Valery stayed for game 6. And let me tell you – if game 7 was needed, Nichushkin would be there too. 

Question to Belousov: Nichushkin can’t score in the national team. Is that a coincidence or accumulated fatigue after the grueling season finals?
Belousov: You see, coaches already pay double attention to Nichushkin, telling their players to keep an eye on him and bodycheck him. However, Valera still gets the job done.
Krechin: I think fatigue is a factor too. He played 25 playoff games, so however young and well-conditioned you are, it still takes a serious physical toll on you.

Question to Belousov: To continue the topic of Nichushkin – he basically missed the pre-season last year, right?
Belousov: Where did you get that information?

From the official sources…
Belousov: Valera had an individual fitness plan, but this doesn’t mean he missed the pre-season. He did almost as much as other players did during the regular pre-season fitness plan.

Question to Belousov: Aren’t you afraid that Nichushkin will have difficulties seeing as how he is already under heavier guard? If yes, what are you going to do about it?
Belousov: Let’s wait until the next season, shall we? It’s early to talk about it; anything can happen – the guy can pack his stuff and go to the NHL tomorrow. You can’t exclude this possibility.

Question to Krechin: Was Nichushkin’s contract reviewed after this season?
Krechin: We are working on it. However, Valera’s agent wants him to go to the NHL. We still don’t know the player’s opinion; if he would like to stay, we will definitely work something out.

Question to Krechin: Are there others who want to go play abroad?
Krechin: Yes, there are. Two players from Traktor-1996 have already bought the tickets. Yesterday we had a meeting with their parents and tried to persuade them not to go there. We tried to explain that many talented Russian D-men went to several Canadian junior leagues, and no one had a successful career. When I went to play in North America, the conditions in Russia left much to be desired – no Youth Hockey League, no nothing. Now boys have everything – same sticks Traktor plays with, same conditions, same arena – all conditions to grow up as a professional. One or two years later many of them won’t even think about going to Canada when they realize that here they have perfect playing and living conditions.

Question to Krechin: What about Kostitsyn?
Krechin: Andrey is a professional. When he first came, he was on fire, then a cold streak engulfed him. But I believe with a scintillating performance in playoffs he restored his reputation among the fans.

Question to Krechin: Is he going to stay in Traktor?
Krechin: He is considering our offer. He has two choices right now: go to NHL or stay here.
Belousov: When your team makes it to the finals, it becomes two times more difficult to save your key players as many headhunters start trying to lure your leaders away. It’s very important to save the core of the team.

Question to Tsybuk: How many of the foreign players have prolonged their contracts?
Tsybuk: Three.

Question to Krechin: Can you name them?
Krechin: Not until May 1.

Question to Belousov: Continuing the topic of foreign players – will Aaltonen be in Traktor next season?
Belousov: I know him well, he and Petri are also friends; I think they might make a good attacking pairing. We wanted to see him last year as well, but he had some family and health issues that thwarted him from coming to play for Traktor.

Question to Belousov: After Traktor’s successful season, do more players want to play for Traktor?
Belousov: Of course, it’s only natural that they do. However, we need to pay them more.
Krechin: The foundation for today’s Traktor was laid two years ago, and most players had two or three-year contracts, that’s why we didn’t have many problems last season. However, now it is a serious problem – who should leave and who should stay. Teams with bigger budgets like Donbass already want some of our boys. We’re trying to think something out, believe me.

Question to Krechin: So that means Panov was lured in with lard (reference to one of Panov’s interviews where he said he figured Donbass wanted to lure him away, offering him large amounts of lard, hinting that lard is a favorite Ukranian food – translator’s note)?
Krechin: No; he said he didn’t like lard (laughs).

Question to Belousov: It was players from North America that troubled Garnett the most during these playoffs. Are we lucky other teams didn’t have them?
Belousov: You are obviously referring to the first round series against Barys. You see, last year we also had a slow start against Yugra, but then gathered enough focus.

Question to Belousov: Many renowned hockey experts say that Traktor’s style of play reminds them of Team USSR that used to mow down their opponents. Do you agree?
Belousov: Well, we pay special attention to smart combination hockey, trying to deliver every pass to a partner. This was what Soviet hockey was all about. I remember myself feeling embarrassed for losing the puck. There always has to be somebody you should pass the puck to. If you get checked, you have to give the puck to your partner and should not just dump it away for icing. Hockey should not be like that; I’m used to a different style, and I inculcate it to my players.

Question to Belousov: Are you flattered by comparisons like these?
Belousov: Of course! It’s a pleasant feeling to see your team construct one great combination after another. It sometimes even sends chills down my spine when I see Traktor score a beautiful goal.

Question to Krechin: There were structural changes in Traktor that took place this season. Can you comment on this?
Krechin: I think information like this should not become public – it’s an internal affair within the club. Let’s instead focus on things outside hockey. Traktor opened two-winged museum (modern wing and retro wing – translator’s note); I think everybody notice a boost in merchandise sales. Here’s an example for you: three years ago with different management team Traktor’s merchandise sales revenue amounted to 700k rubles a year. All this money was given to a third party merchandise-producing company, and everyone except Traktor made money on it. This year Traktor’s merch sales revenue is 56 million rubles, which is second best result in the league behind SKA. All proceeds go to the development of the team. It might be said that on merchandise alone we’ve earned ourselves enough funds to pay a contract of one good player. If we had an arena with larger capacity, like 12 or 15 thousand fans, the figures would be higher too.

Question to Krechin: Can you name the exact figure of Traktor’s total revenue?
Krechin: We earned 110 million rubles on Dadonov’s and Burdasov’s transfers, 124 million of sponsors’ money, 105 million rubles on tickets, 56 million on merchandise. Deduct the taxes, and you get approximately 350 million of total revenue.

Question to Krechin: That includes space rentals and concession stands?
Krechin: No, it’s Traktor Arena that rents spaces, we have nothing to do with it.

Question to Krechin/Belousov: What percentage of total club’s expenditure list goes to Traktor’s salaries? You said it yourself there are also Medvedi, Chelmet, hockey school etc…
Krechin:…Fakel, women’s team.
Belousov: Haven’t calculated yet (audience laughs).
Krechin: Yes, we’re still calculating.
Belousov: I say you look at the locker rooms, at gyms. Everything is in good condition. Remember two years ago – the gym equipment we had was shabby and ineffective, but that has changed and still is changing.
Krechin: When Slava Voynov was here during the lockout, he said that not even in LA did he see conditions like here in Chelyabinsk. We have made everything for a hockey player to think only about hockey, and you can see the results.

Question to Krechin: Did you recall Voynov’s name by accident?
Krechin: No. I never forget about him and how useful he could be for Traktor.

Question to Belousov: Which match of this past season was the most memorable one?
Belousov: I think the most memorable one is game 7 against Ak Bars. Traktor played a terrific game; we were hypermotivated. It could be seen by naked eye how much boys wanted this win. 

Question to Belousov: Did that series feel more like finals?
Belousov: No, I would not say so. We played perfectly starting from the second round. I would once again like to congratulate my players – we constantly said to ourselves that we could do it, and we did. It was an amazing season.

Question to Belousov: Did you give any pep talk after game 6?
Belousov: Kind of; I entered the locker room and thanked each player for their hard work and told them not to get upset. It’s easy to get upset though – when you are in the finals, you’re guaranteed silver medals. Then six games; bang-bang! – you are without the Cup. Silver medals are somewhat devalued after that. I know this feeling, believe me.

Question: How did you recover after the last game?
Krechin: At my countryhouse.
Belousov: I had to switch from hockey a little bit. I mean when the season is on, you do same routine thing every day – get up from bed, take a shower, shave while your head is in hockey: line-up, strategy etc. I had to switch from this.

Question to Belousov: Is your BP fine now?
Belousov: Yes it is, thank you.

Question to Belousov: What’s next for you?
Belousov: Obviously selection process and transfers. There are many things at hand; it only seems that once the season is over, you go home and do nothing. The most important thing is to save the core of the team.

Question to Belousov: You used to negotiate some of the players’ contracts personally. Will it be the same this season?
Belousov: Why not? We are a team, a unit.

Question to Belousov: Players like Osnovin and Gorechishnikov were included on the line-up for some of the matches. Do you have any other players you keep an eye on?
Belousov: There are some guys in Chelmet and Medvedi. Look at our hockey school – many of the boys are in their respective age’s national teams. When there are 10-day breaks in the season, we invite some of them to training sessions. This way we have seen many players from the Traktor system. I can tell you one thing – there is not a single bad player in Traktor hockey school. They are all good; they just need some time.

Question: Will there be any physical evaluation tests in the summer?
Krechin: Yes; and a big fine for each extra kilo and laps around the stadium until you get fit.
Belousov: Last year I didn’t see anyone with weight problems. Mark my words, in two weeks’ time they will be back at the arena for skating sessions and power lifting. You don’t feel comfortable when you lack physical exercise while your body is used to it.