SKA`s new head coach Igor Larionov held his first press conference in his new role. He entered the conference hall at the “Lakhta Center” – St. Petersburg`s tallest building – with a touch of diffidence, like a newcomer actor on a grand stage, although the event was held only on the 5th floor out of 87.
Larionov was generous with his answers to numerous questions. Over an hour and a half, he shared how he received the offer to lead SKA, whether a “green diet” would be implemented for the team, if his son would relocate to St. Petersburg, and his thoughts on Evgeny Kuznetsov`s departure from the club.
“I Accept This Challenge and Go Where It`s Difficult”
Q: Igor Nikolaevich, you begin your journey as SKA`s head coach at a high point, both literally and figuratively, in Petersburg`s tallest building. How did you receive this, quite unexpected in the hockey world, offer, and what were you doing at that moment?
I was in Moscow, out for a walk. I received a call from Vitaly Markelov, Chairman of SKA`s Board of Directors. The offer to consider the possibility of leading SKA came through. I replied that I was very pleased by it. But accepting it immediately was not simple; I needed to go home and discuss it with my wife. While walking, we talked through many things, and agreed to continue the dialogue later. By the evening, I said “Yes.”
Q: Which day was this?
Today is Friday, right? It was Tuesday evening, around six o`clock, I think. I am grateful that they approached me. I am proud of the opportunity to lead a club with great ambitions. I am ready for such a challenge. There was never a red carpet to success or an elevator in my career. We always climbed step by step with the team. But for now, honestly, “SKA Head Coach Igor Larionov” still sounds unusual to me.
Q: So, when you left Torpedo, you didn`t know you would lead SKA?
In Nizhny Novgorod, our task was to stir up the level of hockey in players` minds. I believe we succeeded. Honestly, my next goal was the NHL. However, watching the evolution of hockey, both in the KHL and NHL, you start to realize that you don`t have much time left to give back what you`ve accumulated to our young players.
Q: You started your coaching path late, at 60. You could have calmly pursued other, less dramatic ventures, like the agent business, winery, or commentator work. Why did you need this stressful job?
I worked as a commentator for Channel One at two Olympics and World Championships. I was an agent, which gives you a view of hockey from a different angle. Look at the fantastic result of Florida, where former agent Bill Zito works as the general manager! The Panthers are in the Stanley Cup Final for the third year in a row. Observing hockey from the side, you start to understand where it`s heading. I realized I had accumulated a vast amount of knowledge about hockey, and I want to give that knowledge back. I agree that coaching is a huge burden and responsibility. Criticism and praise will always accompany it. But you accept this challenge and go where it`s difficult.
Q: You once admitted that your personality type requires constant challenges. Can SKA be called the main challenge of your coaching career?
Any job is a challenge. SKA is a club that stands apart in the KHL. Over the past 10-15 years, it has achieved great success. Now it`s time to change some things, and that`s also a challenge. I need to immerse myself in the processes happening within the team, and at the moment, this is the biggest challenge in my career. Half an hour ago, I spoke with Alexey Miller about ambitions: for the team to be competitive not in two years, but in the new season. There`s no time for a slow start. The team is there, and it`s important for the players to understand the responsibility that lies upon them. I had an almost hour-long conversation about each player and have an understanding of everyone. It is obvious how important it is for SKA to be a leader in our hockey.
Q: What kind of hockey will SKA play under Igor Larionov?
It`s a cliché question, but also a vital one. You have to remember that hockey is a game that should bring pleasure. My philosophy is simple: do your job honestly, maintain work ethic. Being a champion, a leader, is hard work. But spectators who come to the match should see a spectacle. Hockey shouldn`t be boring.
“I Don`t Plan to Communicate with Rotenberg”
Q: Who will help you in staging exciting hockey? Is there clarity on the coaching staff?
I`m still contemplating. Changing everything drastically is not the right approach. I need to understand who worked and how in the previous staff, and talk to people. Over these two or three days, I have received a lot of messages from people ready to join my staff. I need time to sift through everything and evaluate.
Q: It is said that Maxim Sushinsky, a legend of St. Petersburg hockey, is aiming for the role of SKA General Manager. Is this true?
I`m also not ready to say anything specific about that. I only received information about the team yesterday, and I`ve been on the phone all day. At the moment, it`s important for me to understand the club`s structure and who I can rely on for what. I need at least a couple of weeks. I`ll say one thing: the people around the team must match the level of hockey that I will set for the team.
Q: Do you plan to talk to the former SKA head coach Roman Rotenberg? He had his own views regarding the formation of the SKA roster for the upcoming season and the team`s play…
I don`t think that`s appropriate. Every coach has their own vision. I`ve spoken with people who were at the club before. I received an in-depth analysis of the players from them. And there`s no big secret here. Over the previous years, we played against SKA many times, I know their players. So, I see no point in such communication.
Q: Many young players thrived at Torpedo during your time there. SKA-1946 finished last season in the Kharlamov Cup Final, and there are interesting guys at SKA-Neva. Do you plan to give the green light to young players in St. Petersburg?
I had a long conversation with Nikolay Voevodin, the coach of SKA-Neva, where our nearest reserve plays. I haven`t had time to talk with German Titov from SKA-1946 yet. But overall, I can say that it`s important for me that the structure which existed at Torpedo works – where young players don`t lose 2-3 years but develop faster. I want the new names that are in St. Petersburg to get their chance. During preseason camps, I plan to combine them with the senior guys so they gain the necessary experience. The strongest will play, regardless of age. There will be no privileges for anyone.
Q: By the way! Are you an adherent of a strict preseason training system, like the one Viktor Tikhonov had, or a democratic one, where all players, understanding they are adults, would be ready for its start?
That`s a difficult question. Players must be in shape when they arrive at the team on August 1st. It`s important to kill the thought, “I`ll get into form by October-November anyway.” They had three or four months to prepare. Current hockey players are not poor people. Almost all have personal trainers. The demands will be high, players will face strict testing, including body fat checks. Many are starting to realize that their body is their investment in sports longevity, which is encouraging. For those who don`t understand, we will help. There will be very strong physical conditioning specialists with an individual approach to each player. It won`t be like in CSKA, when the 74kg Larionov lifted a 100kg barbell alongside the 95kg Alexey Kasatonov. It`s important to perceive a player not as a piece of meat, but as a person – to allow them to play to their best sides.
Q: Since you mentioned meat… A question from farmers in Leningrad Oblast: how actively will a green diet be introduced among SKA players? And what will happen to someone caught with a piece of meat?
Good meat is not a problem. The problem is fast food. Meat, fish, chicken, greens are part of a hockey player`s necessary fuel. There are no trifles. If you want to be healthy, avoid injuries, food is also part of investing in your body. We will, of course, promote this culture, especially among young guys who come from families where there`s a lot of sugar, jam, and baked goods.
Lyube or AC/DC
Q: The previous SKA coach often complained about the KHL salary cap model. Do you think it will hinder you as the head coach of a high-budget club?
Questions about money are not my domain. I stated this immediately in my conversation with the management. The word “budget” sounds nice, but I don`t understand what it is. Player quality is important to me. Yes, situations where a player`s salary doesn`t match their statistics concern me. Perhaps this will sound harsh, but in my opinion, most KHL players are overpaid. A high salary should correspond to a high level of effort. But I`m not the one paying, so the budget figures don`t concern me much. Of course, finances are important. It`s nice to receive good money. But the portion of criticism that will flow when something goes wrong with your play – that`s unpleasant. It`s important to me that a player wants to give more than take. Naturally, I am interested in working with talented guys who are focused on taking two or three steps in their career to become great masters. Perhaps I will manage to attract three or four such players.
Q: And will Igor Larionov Jr., your son, come to SKA following his father?
Igor Jr. has received the status of an unrestricted free agent. There is a shortage of smart centers in the KHL. I know that he has received many offers from other clubs. They were surprised by his entering the market without any compensation. The center position is very important for a team. Therefore, we will also consider his candidacy.
Q: At the same time, SKA willingly lost a top Russian center forward, Evgeny Kuznetsov, this summer. Why do you think it didn`t work out for him in St. Petersburg?
It`s difficult for me to comment on things I didn`t observe. I have always valued unconventional, two-way centers. I don`t know what caused Kuznetsov`s decline. But it didn`t start this year – much earlier. I observed him about six years ago. It`s a pity that a talented guy who could have given a lot, been an example for the young players…
Q: Another hot topic of summer selection at SKA: will the energetic Radulov be among your players?
Alexander is an example for all those who come from North America and walk around with lifeless eyes after three months. He is a passionate guy, one of those players for whom age and location don`t matter. Radulov is always on the ice with heart. But it`s too early to say which club he will play for. Let him enjoy celebrating his championship! Let`s not touch this topic for now.
Q: You are a well-known music lover. What will be played in the SKA locker room: Lyube as before, or good old 1980s rock?
That`s up to the players. Music is their territory. Sometimes, of course, I am surprised by their tastes. Nowadays, almost every player has headphones and their own music. I don`t understand this; I`m from a different generation where we got pumped up to the same music in the locker room. But I won`t influence it. Whether it`s Lyube, Gorky Park, or AC/DC – let the guys decide what to play.
Gareth Tenby