Artyom Gonchar: Goals, Legacy, and Aspiring to the KHL

Following the path of his older brother Mikhail and uncle Sergei, a two-time Stanley Cup champion and NHL record-holder for Russian defensemen (1301 games, 811 points), Artyom Gonchar chose hockey. The young defenseman showcased his offensive prowess in his second OLIMPBET MHL season, leading Stalnye Lisy defensemen with 25 points (7 goals, 18 assists) in 50 regular season games in 2024-25. The 18-year-old now has significant goals, including playing in the KHL for Metallurg under coach Andrei Razin, known for consistently developing young talent at the elite level.

In this interview, Artyom Gonchar talks about his past season, Metallurg`s championship, advice from his legendary uncle, and playing like a gentleman on the ice.

“When we conceded the decisive goal in the 116th minute of overtime, no one had any emotions left”

– How are you spending your time during the break?
– After the season, I rested a bit, went home to Chelyabinsk to see my parents. Mostly, I just stayed home and spent time with my family. At the end of June, I resumed training to prepare for the next season.

– Isn`t that a bit early to start training? There are still two months of summer ahead.
– No, because I have areas I need to develop to get better and stronger. I mainly focus on my physical condition, spending more time in the gym. My current dimensions are 184 cm and 72 kg. I gained seven kilograms of muscle mass during the 2024-25 season, but I want to reach 82 kg, which I consider optimal. I like a hard style of play, hitting and skating into opponents. I can make physical plays even without being exceptionally heavy, but I always act according to the situation. The main thing is to keep possession of the puck.

– How would you rate your 2024-25 season, after which you became the best scoring defenseman for Stalnye Lisy?
– I had a good season; I played correctly on the ice, helped the team, and my teammates assisted me in getting points. Throughout the championship, I talked with the coaches, plus I was in touch with my uncle every day. He shared his experience and gave advice, and I listened, trying to absorb the best of everything. Also, last summer, defenseman coach Viktor Valeryevich Postnikov spent extra time helping me with my shot: how to shoot correctly and timing it right. This helped me gain confidence, and those training sessions benefited me during the season.

– You also had only two penalty minutes throughout the regular season, the best result on the team. What helped you play so cleanly over the long haul?
– First of all, I`m a gentleman. Through correct actions and positioning, I find optimal solutions, which allows me to avoid breaking the rules.

– Do you remember what you got your only penalty for?
– In a game against Snezhnye Barsy, I went to the net after my shot and got tangled up with one of the opponents, for which we were given matching roughing penalties. So, perhaps I`m not such a gentleman after all (smiles).

– How did the season go for the team overall?
– We had both good and not-so-positive moments. Stalnye Lisy won in the play-in, reached the playoffs, where things didn`t entirely go our way. It was very disappointing to end the season in the first round, especially in a very long and exhausting game.

– The decisive game against Mamonty Yugry ended in the third overtime; you spent 34 minutes on the ice (42 shifts). Was your body exhausted after such loads?
– It was indeed tough in the third overtime. We really wanted to win, but we couldn`t. When we conceded the decisive goal in the 116th minute, no one had any emotions left; there was dead silence on the bench. I could hear the opponent`s joy and couldn`t handle it calmly. Questions filled my head: “How could this happen? Why did it turn out this way?” In the locker room, I felt completely empty, I couldn`t believe that the season was over for us; all the guys wanted to continue the quest for the Kharlamov Cup. It turned out the way it did. Every defeat makes us stronger. We will be wiser. New young players will join Stalnye Lisy in the summer of 2025, who will learn and help us achieve victories. We, the experienced guys, in turn, will guide and help them. I understand that the younger players will be watching me, so I need to play my best game so the guys learn, gain confidence, and understand: “If he can do it, I can too.” I will help the newcomers in every way I can: within the team, on the ice, and in everyday life. I think in the 2025-26 season, we will manage to get past the first round of the playoffs.

– What can you say about Mamonty`s hockey?
– The opponent`s style doesn`t matter to me; I have to go on the ice and win. Games against Mamonty Yugry stood out from other teams because of the size of their home ice, where it was easier for them to play than for us.

– Stalnye Lisy have been eliminated in the first round for the second consecutive year after winning the play-in. What prevents the team from solidifying its position in the top 5 of the Golden Division?
– We have a good team; we can go further, but perhaps subconsciously, we doubt ourselves. We try to believe in ourselves and be better, but for now, we are content with what we have.

– Why did you miss at least one game in the play-in and playoff series for the second straight season?
– It was a coaching decision. I played a poor game for myself in the play-in, which is why the coaches decided to keep me out of the lineup for the second game against Molot and the first game against Mamonty Yugry. After that, I was put back in the lineup.

– Was it hard to watch the team`s most important games from the stands?
– Of course. I really wanted to play, but it was the staff`s decision. I completely listened to the coaches and carried out the tasks assigned.

– When a player can be removed from the lineup because of a missed puck, it surely adds to the anxiety?
– No, at least I didn`t have problems with that. I love hockey and enjoy playing; that`s the most important thing for any athlete.

“I`m very happy that Sergei Gonchar is my uncle: there are few defensemen in hockey like he was”

– How do you stay in touch with your uncle? Did the time difference between Magnitogorsk and Vancouver not interfere?
– No, we would call after each of my games and analyze mistakes: where I played well and where I didn`t. My uncle helps me get stronger. I would call him closer to the evening in Magnitogorsk, around ten o`clock.

– Since when in Sergei Gonchar`s career did he start consulting you so often?
– Since moving to Stalnye Lisy, we started talking more about my game. My uncle always supports me and says he sees potential in me. He doesn`t set any limits. The mere fact that such a great person from the world of hockey praises my game gives me confidence.

– When did you last see him?
– In the summer of 2017, when my uncle and Evgeni Malkin brought the Stanley Cup to Moscow after winning the NHL playoffs. That day, our whole family sat with the trophy at a restaurant. Only after growing up did I realize how valuable that event was and what a difficult path must be overcome. That day, I met Malkin, but for me back then, he was just Uncle Seryozha`s friend. Now I would really like to talk to him in more detail. Evgeni is an excellent player with great experience, for whom there will always be questions.

– As a child, was your uncle your idol in hockey?
– Yes, I always liked his game. I saw that a defenseman could score and assist so much; I wanted to play the same way. There are few defensemen in hockey like Sergei Gonchar was. I am very happy that he is my uncle. Now, among players, I like Quinn Hughes and Rasmus Dahlin; I consider them the best defensemen in the world.

– When Sergei Gonchar played for Dynamo, Pyotr Vorobyov and Zinetula Bilyaletdinov suggested he “skate to the attack less.” Did your coaches not tie your hands in the offensive zone?
– No. Hockey has become more modern; now a defenseman must play on both sides of the ice, everyone understands that. I think the coaches saw potential in my offensive actions, so they didn`t stop me.

– As a child, was your older brother a strong motivator for you to play hockey?
– Yes, he used to play with a stick at home, I tried it, and I liked it too. Then I went with my parents to his games, enjoying the game itself. I always wished my brother only the best in his career. I had a dream to play on the same team with him, and it recently came true: after the MHL season, during a training session, Evgeni Leonidovich Timkin came up to me and said: “I like your style of play, do you want to try yourself in KHL 3×3?” I agreed, came to Metallurg to my brother, we trained, and played on the same line. I will remember that moment for a long time, it was great. I know our parents were very proud of us.

– What do you think of Mikhail`s game?
– He needs to work on his speed, but otherwise, he`s in great shape (smiles).

– Does your brother`s career serve as an example for you that you shouldn`t go overseas at a young age?
– Everyone has their own path, which they choose themselves. I don`t think my brother did anything wrong. He had great experience playing on small rinks against foreign players.

“At practice, Andrei Vladimirovich looked at me like I was a very strange boy”

– Who introduced you to hockey?
– My parents saw that I liked the sport and decided to enroll me in hockey.

– Your uncle and brother are hockey players, is your father involved in the sport in any way?
– No, he only watches hockey on TV. My dad likes the sport; we always call after games, and he might give some tips.

– As a child, did you choose to be a defenseman yourself, or did the coach assign you to defense?
– I think it was my choice; I was more drawn to defense. When there are already two defensemen in the family, you need to be the third.

– How did you end up in Magnitogorsk?
– When I was in second grade, my older brother moved to Metallurg, and our family moved with him. Because of my age, changing cities was easy for me. In Magnitogorsk, I had a coach, Evgeni Alexandrovich Akulov; he had very good practices that I always enjoyed attending.

– Was your Metallurg team strong for its age group?
– Up until the age of 14-15, we weren`t considered a top team, but then strong specialists Dmitry Nikolaevich Slatin, who now works in Chelmet, and Dmitry Konstantinovich Tarasov joined us. They made a great contribution to our development and brought us to a new level. In 2021, we took first place for the first time, and in subsequent seasons, we were in high positions.

– Did a potential KHL debut linger in your mind throughout the season?
– Of course. I was called up to training sessions, I skated with Metallurg about six times. First and foremost, I noticed differences in experience, speed, and power, so it was physically challenging. I was interested in what the first team players did off the ice: how they warmed up and cooled down, what their habits were. I wanted to debut in the KHL, but deep down, I understood that my main task was to help Stalnye Lisy. Towards the end of the championship, thoughts still arose that I might get a chance with the first team. I understood that everything depended only on how I showed myself in practice. The MHL team coaches talk to us a lot off the ice; they advised me on what I needed to improve to grow to the KHL level. For the next season, I want to play for Metallurg in Russia`s best league; that`s one of my goals.

– Were you shy around Andrei Razin at first?
– No, but in the very first practice, there was a moment when I went to do an exercise in the same direction as the forwards. I realized I was skating the wrong way, looked up, and saw Andrei Vladimirovich looking at me like I was a very strange boy (smiles). He told me how I should have skated into the drill and which way to go.

– Did you follow Metallurg during their golden playoff run in the spring of 2024?
– Yes, I personally attended the home games of the final series, observing how everyone played. I was very happy for our guys who won the Gagarin Cup. When the team returned from Yaroslavl after the decisive game, there was a celebration in Magnitogorsk: everyone wore club jerseys, and a few days later, a championship parade was held. The Gagarin Cup is a great motivation for young players. It`s wonderful that I was there during a time when I could personally witness Metallurg`s victory.

– What allowed that team to create a sensation?
– All the players clearly understood their responsibilities. They did what they do best in their positions. Everyone was in their place, and that`s what allowed Metallurg to become champions.

– Tell us about your hobbies.
– We might hang out with the guys – a large, cool park called “Prityazhenie” has opened up here. I also like to play video games, I prefer Counter-Strike.

– Does your number nine have a story?
– My older brother played for Metallurg under number nine, and as a child, I also liked Ivan Provorov, who also wore number nine.

– Who from anyone who has ever lived would you like to meet, and what would you ask them?
– Cristiano Ronaldo. He is a very strong person who works incredibly hard. I`m interested to hear about his path and find out where he gets so much motivation. I would also ask Ronaldo how he came up with his celebration.