KHL: "Donbass" set the highest goals

Yesterday took the start of the next season in the NHL, and the only Ukrainian Ambassador in the strongest hockey league in Europe will play the first match tomorrow - perhaps the Donetsk in Bratislava "Slovan".
Training team to the championship began immediately after the "Donbass" in his rookie season did not get into the playoffs. However, participation in the Cup of Hope was rather comforting character - specific tasks did not show. Therefore, it is not a tragedy was the fact that Ukrainians ahead out of the race, losing in Shootouts series Riga "Dinamo".  The club's management then predictably negatively evaluated the results shown in the team championship, and sacked coach Julius Shupler. In his place was invited young but quite promising Andrei Nazarov, virtually no problems struck with his "Severstal" in the playoffs. The very same structure began to complete in April, when the club reached an agreement to launch cooperation with Ukrainians - goalkeeper and striker Paul Yachnik Yuri Petrangovskim. By the way, both are candidates for the national team, so, according to the coaching staff, to be able to buy only the KHL matches invaluable experience, and further help both the club and the national team. However, soon the two were sent to the "Young Guard", which made its debut in the MHL, so their debut in the first team has been postponed.

- In the "Young Guard" I went because that's where I can have more match practice, then said Yachnik. - Frankly, to date, to win the competition for a place at the gate of the first team is unreal, so that the option with the youth team was very helpful. Then donchane extended contracts with the strikers - 34-year-old Ukrainian Sergey Varlamov and 37-year-old Canadian Randy Robitaille. And then began to arrive in Donetsk and newcomers. The first sign was a trio of defenders - Ukrainian Gennady Razin, Russian Oleg Piganovich and Finn Anssi Salmela and attacking duo - Russian Maxim Yakutsenya and Finn Teemu Laine.At this acquisition not only not over, but continued with renewed vigor in the summer. In early July, a contract with the "Donbass" signed the titular Ukrainian striker, two-time Stanley Cup winner Ruslan Fedotenko. In the Donetsk airport he was met by dozens of fans of the club. Stunned by such a meeting, Fedotenko said that he is very happy to return to Ukraine, to the club, which has already become family.

- I am very glad to be here, said Fedotenko. - From games for the "Donbass" last season, I still have the fondest memories. But now we have to get ready for the next season and try to seriously engage in the fight for the Cup. I always wanted to play for Ukrainian fans, because I grew up here, and there was a hockey school.To work team began July 11, and for a month preparing in Donetsk, where were all the conditions. Hockey players do not withdraw into itself, and the coaching staff for the convenience of fans began a more open and training, during which bilateral matches were played. This innovation had in mind the fans, because in these matches on a regular basis there are thousands of spectators. In mid-August, "Donbass" took part in his first international pre-season tournament - the Cup of the Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region, where his rivals were local "Torpedo" Moscow "Dynamo" and the Moscow Region "Atlas" of Mytishch. There Ukrainians finished second, losing in the finals Avtozavodtsev - 1:3.Then the "Donbass" has signed a contract with the 32-year-old Canadian goalie Michael Leighton. He has experience of playing in the NHL, and, according to the Nazarova, should increase the competition for a place in the gate.

A team finished the pre-season training in the traditional participation of Donbass Open Cup, where the company's debut in the CHL - "Admiral" from Vladivostok, "Neftekhimik" from Nizhnekamsk and Cherepovets "Severstal" has won the top prize.And on Tuesday said the club has two Ukrainians - 25-year-old striker Roman Seelie and his own age - defender Denis Petruhno, performed well in games with the French national team of Ukraine. Thus, while in the official application "Donbass" appear 24 hockey (3 goalkeepers, 8 defenders and 16 attackers - four full-fledged five). On the eve of the start of a mentor "Donbass" Andrei Nazarov said that the team are the highest goals, and a very good thing that the "Donbass" starts the season with four home games.

- We are facing the highest goals - the fight for the Gagarin Cup - said Nazarov. - We picked up those players who had previously fought for this cup. Season we start with four home games, which is very good, although not a single passing game will not be. Here are all playing in a life-and-death struggle. I think that tickets to the playoffs played out in the first twenty games. It was after them, we'll see eight, which gets into the playoffs. It will be very important to a good start. Also my responsibility and naigryvanie are young but talented Ukrainian players. As for the translation of the "Donbass" to Division Tarasova, here I do not see anything seditious, we are ready for any eventuality. One thing is clear: We will be a very interesting championship.