Ilya Nikolaev He was recognized as one of the most talented strikers in 2001. At the 2018 Glinka / Gretzky Cup, she lit up at the first connection with Vasily Podkolzin, a year later she won the silver of the junior world championship, but then the player began to decline. In the Lokomotiv system, Nikolaev never had a chance in the main team. Last year, Ilya decided to leave his local club and went to the USHL, the main youth league of the USA. He scored 80 points in 63 games for Trey City. And at the end of the season, he signed a rookie contract with Calgary, who drafted him under the 88th number in the third round (at a salary of $836.6k per season for three years) three years ago. The 20-year-old hockey player told Sport24 his reasons for leaving Russia and his future goals.

“Congratulations on your contract with Calgary. Did the dream come true?

Yes, this is definitely a very happy event for me. It has not been an easy road for me, the last three years have been difficult. In Russia I played in MHL, then VHL, then I had to decide what to do. Last June, I trained in Yaroslavl, where my manager Dan came from. (Milstein – ed.) I didn’t know what to do, where to play next, so Dan called Calgary and asked about the idea of ​​giving me the opportunity to play in the USHL. The club said it was a good option, I would play in America, they would follow me. First I came to Calgary training camp, played a match. They told me: “Everything is fine, let’s get stronger, get used to American hockey.” And I went to the USHL, played the season, in principle, everything went well. They followed me for a year and recently signed a contract.

– Have you talked to the general manager or someone from the management?

– With the general manager (Brad Treliving – ed.) We talked after we left the camp. He said I pleasantly surprised everyone and they can’t wait to see how I perform this season.

– What is the plan for the next season?

I can no longer play in the USHL. So far, there are no clear plans for the next season. I have now flown to Stockton, where the Calgary farm club is located. I will stay with the team, I will train. I think I’ll do a training camp with the base and start the season in the AHL.

“Many USHL players go to college and play in the NCAA. Have you considered this option before signing with Calgary?

– There was such an idea, my manager considered this option, talked to one of the colleges. But the thing is, I had a professional contract with Lokomotiv where I was paid a salary, after which it was impossible to work and play for free in the NCAA. Well, those conversations ended when Calgary announced that they wanted to sign me.

Has your USHL team finished the season yet?

Yes, we were eliminated in the third round of the playoffs. And right after that, I signed a contract and went to the place where the AHL team is.

– I opened the list of goalscorers, there are four players in the top 12 of your team, including you. Have you played offensive hockey?

Yes, we had a super team. The players were good, the coaches were professionals. They helped me in every way throughout the season, made me adapt and get used to the game. Everything was great in terms of atmosphere in the team. Of the top ten scorers, all three players played in the same line as me – two wingers and a defender.

– You’ve never scored so many points in your career – nice to look at the stats?

– Of course, it’s beautiful. But I’m trying not to think about it, I’m just trying. This year was very important to me, it meant a lot. I realized that if I didn’t show myself now, it would be very difficult for me later. Plus, I came to a new country, I had no one here, I started from scratch and was isolated from everything. I just had hockey on my mind and I think that helped me.

– Few Russians are playing in the USHL, especially with the onset of covid. What kind of hockey is there and what is the level?

– If you compare, it seems to me that the USHL is stronger than the MHL. Here the playground is smaller and everything is much faster. You should think faster, because the speeds are different. This is what evolves, you have to make a decision in a second.

What kind of hockey is played there?

– Different. The conference I’m playing at has talented creative players, and there are those who just run, those who play preflights, and those who do power moves. Hockey is diverse. And when you can combine different things, that’s great. There are two-sided players here who can create an opportunity out of nowhere and compete for the puck.

Did you live with your family or alone?

– The first month was very difficult, there was a language barrier. I lived in a family with two wonderful people who helped and supported me in everything. Gradually he began to understand the language and talk with partners. But I lived in a small town, so maybe I didn’t get a taste of the American life. However, there was still a difference in mentality.

– Your team was in Nebraska, this is the true heart of the United States. How is life there?

– We lived in a small town, but we always went on trips around Nebraska. I saw different cities, the places are really colorful. A lot of small towns of 40-100 thousand people. The ride was interesting, especially since the trips are small, the longest was 5-6 hours. At the same time, I managed to look at the people and the country.

Did you smile more this year?

– Oh, actually, yes. This year has been a plus in every sense, both morally and hockey. Even here I felt different. I turned the page and started from scratch.

– Did you get a scholarship?

– There was no money. You are fully provided here. You live in a family, uniforms, equipment, clothes – everything is given, but not paid.

– You played great with Podkolzin in Glinka four years ago and in 2001 you were listed as one of the best Russian forwards overall. Then what went wrong?

— I wouldn’t say there was a recession. But after Glinka, when I returned to Yaroslavl, somewhere maybe lack of experience and age played a role, but I began to treat myself differently than I should have. Yeah, they didn’t give it much of a chance. Of course, I am grateful to Lokomotiv for developing me, investing in me, but not allowing me to experience adult hockey. That was the problem. But I blame myself more for the recession. On the contrary, it was necessary to work harder, but at some points I did not do it.

– Are you lazy?

– Don’t be lazy. It’s just that when you’ve been given so much, at that moment you start to lose a little control over yourself and you think you’ve already accomplished everything. Although this is definitely not true. Whoever spends this time without long-term recessions will be successful. When I started to understand all this about myself, I started working harder than before.

– When did you start to understand this: for the next season or in the process?

– I think during the season, I just improved myself in the playoffs and played properly. Then he worked harder. There was also a junior world championship where we won silver. After that, I remember how I got to Lokomotiv pre-season, then Craig McTavish was still head coach. I went through all the training camps with the main team, but then I got sent to the MHL.

– Did they explain to you why they didn’t give you a chance in KHL but let the others play?

– Not. It all ended in the pre-season: “Thanks, you’re a good player, we really like it. Everything is in front of you, in touch.”

– It is known that many men disappear, while the Lokomotiv school graduates many hockey players every year. Indeed, many simply can not stand the competition and do not finish?

“I wouldn’t say that many men have disappeared.” Lokomotiv is a big and serious school, there are a lot of people who want to get into it. There are two teams in MHL, the system is well developed. And the stream of players is really huge. Maybe you’re somewhat right that competition is holding someone back. But each case is individual. I can’t say that people are lost just because of high competition.

– Is it a problem that Lokomotiv does not have its own pure farm club like SKA, Ak Bars and CSKA?

– Possibly, this affects the development of players. If there was a Major League team in Yaroslavl then it would generally be great.

– What was under Skabelka next year? They invited you to training camp too but didn’t give you a chance?

– It so happened that I caught the coronavirus and was able to join the team while training for about two weeks. I came out of quarantine and was completely unprepared. Despite training on his own before that, he still lost all conditions during the illness. I trained with Lokomotiv for three days and then flew to the pre-tournament youth team meeting in Sochi. As a result, I trained with one team in the summer, then another. He inexplicably felt in the youth team, played unsuccessfully. When I returned to Lokomotiv, Skabelka was not interested in me. I was sent to the MHL, after my requests they gave me a chance in Major League and I played half a season in Buran.

– At that moment, did you consider leaving Lokomotiv?

— Yes, when I went to HSE and played 10-15 matches there, I started thinking about moving abroad. Hockey in VHL is beneficial for young boys, there is an opportunity to feel what an adult level is, but at the same time there is a chance to stay here and remain a Major League player. I realized that I wanted more, that I wanted to prove to myself and others that I could move to a higher level.

– Did Lokomotiv offer you a new contract?

– I decided to move, I informed the club about this, in Yaroslavl everyone agreed. I spoke to the general manager and explained that I felt the need to change something, start my career over. This much. My rights in Russia remained with the club.

– Have you had any communication with the Yaroslavl team this season? Do you want to return?

No, nobody called me.

– Do you still have a grudge against Lokomotiv for not actually giving you a chance?

– Of course there is. Leftover residue. But I was more upset with myself, I really wanted to play in my own stadium. I have been playing hockey since I was six years old, Yaroslavl is my hometown, I love Arena-2000. I’m thinking of getting it in the future.

– Was it difficult to go to the USHL, was there still covid?

I was lucky to have a US visa. Before the 2019 draft, I flew to Buffalo for a harvester, and I’ve owned it ever since.

– Was it scary to go to a new league, especially after the best seasons?

– Sure, it’s scary. It was some kind of adventure. “Let’s give it a chance,” I said to myself. There were a few other outlets so I decided to take my chances and went. I understood that it would be difficult, it was difficult to decide. I went to another country with no friends, no family. But again there was no option.

— Did you just start playing in the USHL?

I got used to the first three games. At first, I had no idea what was going on as the speeds were so high. Hockey is still different. But gradually he adapted and the game continued. Coaches have helped me a lot to be on my own wave.

Are you following the Alberta war now?

– Of course! I watched the entire series with Dallas. We met Nikita Zadorov at training camp, but we don’t know each other very well.

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