Konstantin Panov. Our captain

Konstantin Panov has changed many teams throughout his career, but he was also there when Traktor made it back to the upper echelon of Russian hockey. During this last summer Panov became the captain of new Traktor, a team that is already 2-time KHL medalist and steadily climbing to the coveted Cup.

Contact with media is a part of our job

This summer you re-signed with Traktor for another three years. Was this a well-thought decision?
Well yes, but I made it rather quickly - I was considering Traktor's offer first and other efforts second. Traktor made a lucrative offer, so I signed a three-year deal without hesitation. Home, sweet home.

It is noticeable that you lost some weight during the interseason, right?
Yeah.I have been working a lot during the summer, so yes, I lost a kilo or two.

Last year you and former captain Vladimir Antipov went to Miami. Where did you manage to go this summer?
Once again I went to Miami, later on my family and I went to the sea.

What is with your infatuation with the States?
I just like it there.I used to question going there - you know, a long flight, jet lag and all that. Once I went there, every doubt was gone - sunlight, ocean, great food. I went there second time and did not regret it either.

You are now team's captain. As its leader, do you want to bring something new to the team? Like once Traktor used to arrive to hockey games looking dapper in their business suits.
I think things like these should be a collective decision. Why rediscover America? Traktor already has long-standing traditions, and anything new should first be discussed with the team.

As a captain, are you feeling any extra pressure from the media?
Well, there are flashes of attention, but I try to put that aside and to concentrate on my game instead. When I have a chance for an interview, I certainly give it with great pleasure because it is a part of my job. Any time I am free- you are very welcome!

Getting the Cup requires twice as much effort

You missed last season's battles with Ak Bars and Dynamo. What does a man who can't help his native team feel?
It really is hard. When watching the game on TV, you notice little things that you want to tell your partners about, but you can't. All you can do is lend your moral support; but all in all it is a very difficult time for any hockey player.

Do you think Ak Bars and Dynamo have recently become Traktor's archrivals?
I think any team is an archrival in a way, whether it represents Kazan or Magnitogorsk or Moscow. It is always pleasant to be on the winning end and see your team climb up the rankings. Right now we are not doing really well in this department, but I believe the home series will set things straight.

Is last season's second place finish a step forward for you? Or is every new season a new battle?
Any time you step foot on the ice, you only have one goal on your mind - winning the gold. Then it turns out we were one step away from the gold, and then you sit down and you try to analyze what could be done to get the gold. And then you realize you have to work twice as hard to get there.

Chelyabinsk is my home, and I love this city

In one of the interviews you said that discipline often beats mastery. Do you think today's Traktor has been by far the most disciplined team you have ever seen?
We try to be disciplined, but sometimes we fail. I don't know why this happens, but we are working on it. For example, we stuck to the game plan against Torpedo. The same goes for Kazan, but there were mistakes that we were punished for. We are trying to fix them during the current home series. We have a disease - too many penalties; if we are able to avoid them, everything should be fine.

Petr Vorobyev likes to read about Napoleon in the locker room; you also like to read historical books about Ancient Rome, Ancient Greece and art of war in general. Does your war stop once you leave the ice or you also like to have a good competition in your life?
No, there are no storms in my life, unlike my professional career.

Let's get back in time and recall your tenure in Amur. Was it the hardest part of your career stamina-wise?
I think that any trip to the Far East drains everyone both physically and mentally, especially now that Admiral is around. I think we will have to stay there overnight this season. Due to different time zones your body can't figure out what is going on. The only thing we can rely on is right nutrition and our medical and coaching staff skills.

You have played in many cities throughout your career - Moscow, Saint-Petersburg, Togliatti. Do you miss any of them?
I would not say I do, except for maybe Saint-Petersburg, because I absolutely love the city and its people. Other than that - no, there is no nostalgia.

This is because Chelyabinsk is your home, right?
Sure, Chelyabinsk is my home town, the place where I grow up, and I love my city.

A little setback at the beginning of the season has many Traktor fans somewhat upset, but the players seem to understand those are just little obstacles on the long road to success...
I understand that we surprised the hockey world by having such a lackluster season start, but I believe we need to move on and focus on the five-match home series. We are ready to show what Traktor is all about.

Photo by Valery Gubin, Zhenya Khazhey (geometria.ru, Chelyabinsk)