Nikita Bukharov: “I Feel Progress and the Trust of My Supervisors”

In an interview with KHL.ru, Nikita Bukharov discussed the record number of games he officiated last season, recalled how he missed the Dynamo – Sochi game due to unfavorable weather in Norilsk, and outlined his future goals.

Bukharov gradually progressed to working KHL matches. A turning point in his career came in 2022 when he officiated the VHL (Supreme Hockey League) final and was recognized as the league`s best referee. At the time, he worked as a linesman, not a head referee. “As far as I know, it was the first time in history a linesman was named best referee. Of course, I was very surprised,” he recalled.

Following this achievement, Bukharov was invited to the KHL. In his first two seasons in the league, he worked 14 games each, but last season, he officiated 34. It should have been 35; he was assigned to the Dynamo Moscow and Sochi game on February 19th in the capital but couldn`t make it due to being stranded in Norilsk for a day after a VHL match.

“A Shorter Vacation Won`t Affect Preparation for Next Season”

What stood out about last season?

For the first time, the season extended into June, and primarily, I remember the number of matches worked. Combining KHL and VHL, I officiated over 60 games. This workload was new for me, and I believe I handled it well. I don`t have any special secrets for championship preparation. I followed my program during the summer, building the foundation. The advice from various specialists invited by our management to training camps was very helpful.

Regarding the season itself, I really enjoyed both the regular season and the playoffs. They were very intense tournaments with high intrigue and record spectator interest. Despite being busy in the VHL, I tried to watch the Gagarin Cup playoffs as much as possible. It`s very interesting to watch the games and the work of my colleagues; you can always learn something new, see interesting decisions, and understand how to act in challenging moments. It`s hard to pick one specific series; I liked all of them.

In your first two KHL seasons, you worked 14 games each, but last season you officiated 34. Do you feel professional growth?

Absolutely. I feel that with each game, I gain more experience. Last season, I didn`t make serious mistakes, in my opinion; the entire championship was quite consistent. This is very important, as stability is the main sign of mastery. Of course, I still have a lot to work on, but I truly feel progress and the trust of my supervisors.

In February, you were scheduled to officiate a KHL match between Dynamo Moscow and Sochi, but were ultimately replaced. What happened?

We couldn`t fly out of Norilsk for a day due to weather conditions – strong wind and snowfall. Usually in such situations, referees consider any alternative options – trains, buses, and even taxis. But from Norilsk, you can only leave by air. There are no other ways to get out of that city. So, we just sat and waited until boarding was announced. As a result, I indeed couldn`t make it to the KHL game. I simply couldn`t arrive at the venue in time. Of course, it was disappointing because every KHL match is, firstly, a celebration for me, secondly, an opportunity to prove myself, and thirdly, experience. But what can you do? Not everything depends on us.

What do you think you lacked to be among the referees who worked the Gagarin Cup playoff games?

I think, first and foremost, it`s that same experience. I need to “get my hand in,” show a stable level over several years, and increase the number of games worked in the regular season. Then, I think, they will trust me with playoff games.

Last season ended a month later than usual. Will your preparation program for the next season change because of this?

No, I will follow the routine from last year. There`s simply less time for rest now, but that`s not a problem, as two months of vacation is quite a lot anyway. This offseason, I`ll rest a bit at home in Moscow and at the dacha and then start working to be in good shape for training camps.

“Next Season, I`ll Try to Make the Playoffs”

How did you get into hockey?

When I was four and a half, my parents took me to the “Rus” school, but then I moved to “Dynamo” and graduated from there. For two years, I tried to establish myself at a professional level. I went to the MHL club “Belye Tigry” from Orenburg, and tried out for a VHL-B team from Cheboksary. But in the end, nothing worked out. Probably, it wasn`t for me. I decided to quit. After that, I played at an amateur level for two more seasons, and then I transitioned to refereeing.

How did you become a referee?

Alexander Anatolyevich Shelyanin, the older brother of Sergey Anatolyevich Shelyanin – one of the most authoritative and respected KHL referees, one of four Russian officials who have worked 1000 top-level matches – brought me into refereeing. At that time, he headed refereeing in the Moscow Region Hockey Federation. I liked everything from the first matches; I immediately felt the desire to reach the highest level.

And how did you progress towards it?

Like the vast majority of my colleagues, I went step by step – children`s games, two seasons in the MHL, three championships in the VHL. In the VHL, I officiated two finals, and in 2022, I was even recognized as the league`s best referee.

You worked as a linesman, right? Or was there no division between linesmen and head referees in the VHL?

There wasn`t. As far as I know, a linesman was recognized as the best for the first time in history. Of course, I was very surprised. But I indeed had a good season. After it, I was invited to the KHL. They say that starting this year, the VHL decided to separate the nominations and award prizes to both the best head referee and the best linesman. I think that`s fair.

How did you find out about the invitation to the KHL training camps?

The then-head of the KHL Refereeing Department, Alexey Evgenyevich Gorsky, called me and asked how my vacation was going. And then suddenly he said: “Get ready for the KHL training camps.” It was unexpected for me. Strong emotions surged. I immediately thought: “How great that my work resulted in this, and I`ll get to attend training camps for referees of such a level.” The atmosphere there was excellent, friendly. They received me very well. There`s no division between veterans and newcomers. We even held a hockey tournament. As it turned out, many referees play hockey very well. And this is not surprising – many guys played at a good level and maintain excellent shape, without which it`s impossible to work at the KHL level. I read an interview with my colleague Nikita Vilyugin, who said that the team of referees could play at the VHL level. I agree with him.

Was your first KHL game, Kunlun Red Star – Amur in September 2022, something special?

Yes, of course. It`s the beginning of a new stage in life, which you`ve worked towards for years. There was certainly some nervousness. After all, you`re on the ice with hockey players you`ve only seen on television before. But everything went well. Especially since one of the head referees in that game was Sergey Viktorovich Kulakov. Next to such an experienced and respected colleague, you feel much more confident. Of course, you always have to rely only on your own strength, but subconsciously you understand that you are working with a great professional who has over 1000 games just as a head referee. And he also had a rich career as a linesman – he worked at the Olympic Games with the world`s best players, at world championships. And if anything, he`ll help, he`ll advise. Sergey Viktorovich is very warm towards young referees, always encourages them, which gives confidence. It`s a pity that last season was his last. But I`m convinced he will bring a lot of benefit to refereeing in any other capacity, including as a mentor, which I hope he will be in the future.

Incidentally, the most memorable game I had last season was also with Sergey Viktorovich. It was the Ural derby between Avtomobilist and Traktor. Perhaps it was the most serious game of my career so far. The game was on December 26th; you could feel the New Year`s spirit and atmosphere. And my linesman partner for that game was one of the youngest KHL referees, Nikita Serdyuk, who debuted in the League last season. I enjoyed working with him. I think he has a great future.

The referees for that match had special jerseys – black with the inscription “Ural Derby.” After the game, my colleagues and I took a joint photo. The game itself was memorable for its crazy ending – with the score tied 1:1, the hosts scored a goal with one minute and nine seconds left in the third period, and then added another into an empty net.

What will you strive for next season?

To conquer new professional milestones. I`m not setting any mega-goals yet. Of course, everyone wants to officiate a final, but you need to assess your abilities and look at the situation objectively – with my limited experience, making it to the playoffs would be a good result. That`s what I will strive for, continuing to work and improve my skills.

And what about your career in general?

I understand what you`re hinting at. I haven`t thought about transitioning to being a head referee yet. All my thoughts are on working as a linesman and achieving heights specifically in that role. But if I manage to officiate a Gagarin Cup final, then I`ll think about it.