Deron Quint: I am so pleased to know that Chelyabinsk fans still remember me
We met with Deron before the match to talk about his past, his present and future.
First of all, Deron, let's talk about Spartak, what you knew about the team before you arrived there and what you found out when you actually became a part of the team?
What I found out first was that Spartak was the so-called 'People's Team'. CSKA represents the army, Dynamo - the police, while Spartak is a blue collar team, if you will. Each Russian city has Spartak fans, and we appreciate their support. It is always great to see red and white colors somewhere far away from Moscow. By the way, same can be said about Traktor fans who followed us everywhere from the Far East to Eastern Europe.
Is there a big difference between the Eastern and Western conferences?
Yeah, travels take a lot less time now. As far as the teams go, Dynamo and SKA stand out while others have more or less equal chances of getting into the playoffs. Eastern conference, on the other hand, has some tough opponents in Traktor, Magnitka, Ak Bars and Avangard who are always hard to play against. As for Spartak, we had a decent season start and now have a shot at playoffs.
You are a team leader in several departments, including TOI, shifts per game and points. How do you do it at 37?
Well, nothing special - I keep fit, I eat healthy food and do a lot of training. One way or the other, it's what I do, it's what puts food on my table, and I'm proud that I can still go and proud of how I can do it. Hockey is a tough game that requires focus and concentration. I understand that I am one of the leaders in a team that has so many young guns who follow some of your moves, your style and behavior on the ice, and I like to help them in this. I have the best job in the world, and I am really happy I can still go out there and be helpful.
There is another wily veteran in Spartak - Vladimir Kozlov. Have you two become friends already?
Yeah, he's a great guy, a Stanley Cup winner. When he speaks, everybody listens. It's great to have him on the team. He is 41, but he gives it his all in every single matchup, and the young players try to learn from him as much as they can.
You used to be friends with a goaltender in Chelyabinsk, so you must be spending a lot of time with Jeff Glass who, by the way, has had a great start of the season.
Yeah, we spend a lot of time together. He is a great guy and a great goaltender. If it was not for him, we wouldn't have been where we are now. If your team does not have a decent goalie, you are in trouble. Traktor has Michael, Spartak has Jeff. It is his fifth KHL season, so we have a lot in common in this regard. Indeed he had a great season start, so let's hope he keeps it up because goalie's confidence transcends to the skaters.
Could you tell us a couple of words about your fellow American Matt Anderson?
Matt is a workaholic, yet rather shy. He is from New York, and it is his first KHL season. He's had a bit of a culture shock, but he is adapting and being very helpful for Spartak.
Why do you think Ryazantsev and Zherdev failed to become a regular fixture in Spartak?
Ryazantsev got injured and spent a lot of time on the sidelines, and coaching staff gave him a chance to find another team. As far as Zherdev is concerned, back when he was on the roster, he was very helpful. He has a lot of upside, and I think he knows what to do to fix his past transgressions. I think he will do just fine. However, why management has decided to let him go I don't know.
How's Moscow? Do you like the city?
I live 200 meters away from the arena near the park and a subway station. I get around the city by subway as I did not even try driving. I don't need to drive, because everything that I need is close to me, and if not, I can get there by subway - very convenient. It is actually 10 minutes away from the Red Square. I spend a lot of time there, walking and thinking about the history of this place. This is amazing.
Can you compare Moscow and Chelyabinsk?
Moscow is a 14-million city and a capital of the biggest country in the world while Chelyabinsk is a hockey town, just like Detroit. Playing hockey in Chelyabinsk is a real pleasure!
Could you imagine in your wildest dreams that after a storied 20-year career you will find yourself in Moscow?
No, never. In retrospect I think I can say that I have had a great career. I am still in great shape and can go for 3-4 more years.
You scored a clutch goal in OT in Ufa and put a hold to Spartak's 8-year winless streak against Salavat. Plus, this was your 50th KHL goal.
Yes, I know about the streak and the 50th goal. It is very flattering, I won't deny that. Good thing we got a victory in Ufa because each team has some tough time there. Jeff put on a great performance that night. And of course it is always pleasant to score, especially the game-winners.
You scored most of your goals during your tenure in Traktor, but you still keep scoring, even though in a white and red jersey. You put away four of Spartak's six winning goals. Still hitting the target, right?
It depends on your teammates. Back in Traktor I played with guys like Kuznetsov who constantly create goal-scoring chances. You can only do so much alone - your partners have to create ideal chances on goal. However, when you can share a pass with your teammate, you certainly have to do it.
Is it possible for Spartak to capture the Gagarin Cup so that you can add the only missing medal to your trophy room?
Why not? Spartak has several great wins under its belt, we have a great team and a solid goaltender. If we keep doing what we do, we will get to the playoffs no doubt.
And in the end of our interview, we would like to hear a couple of words for Chelyabinsk fans who still consider you one of the best foreign players in team's
history.
I spent three years in a city that lives and breathes hockey. It's basically everything a hockey player needs. I felt the support of the fans anywhere I went, and I thank them for that! I appreciate the attention that was directed towards me in Chelyabinsk. Heck, who knows - maybe one day I will be back...
Deron Quint shared his impressions after the game against Traktor.
- We played a good game tonight, but were a bit unlucky; plus, too many mistakes sealed the deal. Anyhow, it's great to be back in Chelyabinsk.
Chelyabinsk faithful gave you a standing ovation tonight. Your reaction?
I am very pleased to know that Traktor Arena still remembers me. I have spent three years in Chelyabinsk, and it was a great time. Chelyabinsk is a hockey town that lives hockey, and it is always great to return here.
Spartak heads to Magnitogorsk for a fourth straight away game. How is the team feeling?
I think tonight was a decent game for us. We are a young team, always work hard. All lines gel together more and more by the day. Magnitka is always tough to play against, but we have to get some points in the upcoming matchup.
Rustam Mingazov, photos by Vitaly Gubin and Spartak Press Office
First of all, Deron, let's talk about Spartak, what you knew about the team before you arrived there and what you found out when you actually became a part of the team?
What I found out first was that Spartak was the so-called 'People's Team'. CSKA represents the army, Dynamo - the police, while Spartak is a blue collar team, if you will. Each Russian city has Spartak fans, and we appreciate their support. It is always great to see red and white colors somewhere far away from Moscow. By the way, same can be said about Traktor fans who followed us everywhere from the Far East to Eastern Europe.
Is there a big difference between the Eastern and Western conferences?
Yeah, travels take a lot less time now. As far as the teams go, Dynamo and SKA stand out while others have more or less equal chances of getting into the playoffs. Eastern conference, on the other hand, has some tough opponents in Traktor, Magnitka, Ak Bars and Avangard who are always hard to play against. As for Spartak, we had a decent season start and now have a shot at playoffs.
You are a team leader in several departments, including TOI, shifts per game and points. How do you do it at 37?
Well, nothing special - I keep fit, I eat healthy food and do a lot of training. One way or the other, it's what I do, it's what puts food on my table, and I'm proud that I can still go and proud of how I can do it. Hockey is a tough game that requires focus and concentration. I understand that I am one of the leaders in a team that has so many young guns who follow some of your moves, your style and behavior on the ice, and I like to help them in this. I have the best job in the world, and I am really happy I can still go out there and be helpful.
There is another wily veteran in Spartak - Vladimir Kozlov. Have you two become friends already?
Yeah, he's a great guy, a Stanley Cup winner. When he speaks, everybody listens. It's great to have him on the team. He is 41, but he gives it his all in every single matchup, and the young players try to learn from him as much as they can.
You used to be friends with a goaltender in Chelyabinsk, so you must be spending a lot of time with Jeff Glass who, by the way, has had a great start of the season.
Yeah, we spend a lot of time together. He is a great guy and a great goaltender. If it was not for him, we wouldn't have been where we are now. If your team does not have a decent goalie, you are in trouble. Traktor has Michael, Spartak has Jeff. It is his fifth KHL season, so we have a lot in common in this regard. Indeed he had a great season start, so let's hope he keeps it up because goalie's confidence transcends to the skaters.
Could you tell us a couple of words about your fellow American Matt Anderson?
Matt is a workaholic, yet rather shy. He is from New York, and it is his first KHL season. He's had a bit of a culture shock, but he is adapting and being very helpful for Spartak.
Why do you think Ryazantsev and Zherdev failed to become a regular fixture in Spartak?
Ryazantsev got injured and spent a lot of time on the sidelines, and coaching staff gave him a chance to find another team. As far as Zherdev is concerned, back when he was on the roster, he was very helpful. He has a lot of upside, and I think he knows what to do to fix his past transgressions. I think he will do just fine. However, why management has decided to let him go I don't know.
How's Moscow? Do you like the city?
I live 200 meters away from the arena near the park and a subway station. I get around the city by subway as I did not even try driving. I don't need to drive, because everything that I need is close to me, and if not, I can get there by subway - very convenient. It is actually 10 minutes away from the Red Square. I spend a lot of time there, walking and thinking about the history of this place. This is amazing.
Can you compare Moscow and Chelyabinsk?
Moscow is a 14-million city and a capital of the biggest country in the world while Chelyabinsk is a hockey town, just like Detroit. Playing hockey in Chelyabinsk is a real pleasure!
Could you imagine in your wildest dreams that after a storied 20-year career you will find yourself in Moscow?
No, never. In retrospect I think I can say that I have had a great career. I am still in great shape and can go for 3-4 more years.
You scored a clutch goal in OT in Ufa and put a hold to Spartak's 8-year winless streak against Salavat. Plus, this was your 50th KHL goal.
Yes, I know about the streak and the 50th goal. It is very flattering, I won't deny that. Good thing we got a victory in Ufa because each team has some tough time there. Jeff put on a great performance that night. And of course it is always pleasant to score, especially the game-winners.
You scored most of your goals during your tenure in Traktor, but you still keep scoring, even though in a white and red jersey. You put away four of Spartak's six winning goals. Still hitting the target, right?
It depends on your teammates. Back in Traktor I played with guys like Kuznetsov who constantly create goal-scoring chances. You can only do so much alone - your partners have to create ideal chances on goal. However, when you can share a pass with your teammate, you certainly have to do it.
Is it possible for Spartak to capture the Gagarin Cup so that you can add the only missing medal to your trophy room?
Why not? Spartak has several great wins under its belt, we have a great team and a solid goaltender. If we keep doing what we do, we will get to the playoffs no doubt.
And in the end of our interview, we would like to hear a couple of words for Chelyabinsk fans who still consider you one of the best foreign players in team's
history.
I spent three years in a city that lives and breathes hockey. It's basically everything a hockey player needs. I felt the support of the fans anywhere I went, and I thank them for that! I appreciate the attention that was directed towards me in Chelyabinsk. Heck, who knows - maybe one day I will be back...
Deron Quint shared his impressions after the game against Traktor.
- We played a good game tonight, but were a bit unlucky; plus, too many mistakes sealed the deal. Anyhow, it's great to be back in Chelyabinsk.
Chelyabinsk faithful gave you a standing ovation tonight. Your reaction?
I am very pleased to know that Traktor Arena still remembers me. I have spent three years in Chelyabinsk, and it was a great time. Chelyabinsk is a hockey town that lives hockey, and it is always great to return here.
Spartak heads to Magnitogorsk for a fourth straight away game. How is the team feeling?
I think tonight was a decent game for us. We are a young team, always work hard. All lines gel together more and more by the day. Magnitka is always tough to play against, but we have to get some points in the upcoming matchup.
Rustam Mingazov, photos by Vitaly Gubin and Spartak Press Office
