With the majority of summer now behind us, a recent scan of social media feeds vividly showcases the rising anticipation and preparatory spirit for the upcoming hockey season.
The exhilarating journey with the Gagarin Cup continues for players from Lokomotiv. Stepan Nikulin embarked on a comprehensive `railroad tour` with the prestigious trophy, followed by Alexey Melnichuk who took it on a captivating cultural excursion to St. Petersburg. Subsequently, the championship cup made its return to Yaroslavl, where it was proudly received by Daniil Isaev.
Veteran forward Vadim Shipachyov is already operating at peak intensity, diligently preparing to achieve new career milestones. He has successfully completed initial sessions on summer ice as part of his rigorous individual training regimen.
Meanwhile, in the specialized shooting zone of Sochi`s `Bolshoy` arena, Daniil Seroukh is honing his precision and power.
Ilya Safonov is dedicatedly maintaining his physical conditioning through consistent workouts in the gym.
During his summer break, coach Leonid Tambiev is engaged in a heartwarming routine: actively developing his grandson`s hockey skills, passing on his expertise to the next generation.
Andrey Mironov`s family hobby recently led to an impressive and exceptionally large catch, demonstrating his success beyond the rink.
For Nikolay Prokhorkin and Nikita Zorkin, the off-season is a time for rejuvenation, focusing on both mental and physical relaxation.
Prokhor Poltapov, alongside teammates Maxim Kirileychenko and Vladimir Grudinin, sought an adrenaline rush by participating in a thrilling horror quest, adding an exciting dimension to their summer activities.
Egor Surin and Alexander Volkov subtly hint that the commencement of preparations for the new season is imminent, signaling the fast-approaching return to competitive play.
As a delightful closing note, we highlight summer hockey: several players shared heartfelt postcards and expressions of gratitude from the `Match of the Year` charity game, which recently took place in Moscow, emphasizing the spirit of community and giving back.
Gareth Tenby