IVAN KOLTSOV’S FIRST NORTH AMERICAN INTERVIEW
BY: EUGENE BELASHCHENKO (WWW.RUSSIANPROSPECTS.COM / WWW.HOCKEYSFUTURE.COM )
DATE: 06/23/02
EB: First of all, can you tell me where you were born, how you started to play hockey?
Koltsov: I started to play hockey when I was seven in Cherpovets.
EB: Who had the biggest influence on you becoming a hockey player?
I. Koltsov: Definitely my father, he is the one who got me to start playing hockey. At first I was actually a forward, but then I got tired of it and I became a defenseman.
EB: Got tired of it?
I. Koltsov: Yeah, there seemed too much hassle with no point, so I decided to be a defenseman.
EB: Where did you start playing hockey?
I. Koltsov: In Cherpovets – I was born there as well.
EB: How would you describe your playing style to those who are not very familiar with you?
I. Koltsov: Well, I do not join in on offense. Positionally, I am simply a defenseman and play defense. I play calmly – without too much unnecessary hassling. I get my guy and stay with him.
EB: In what characteristics of your game do you feel you need to work on the most?
I. Koltsov: I need to improve my physical game. I really need to work on everything, but mainly I need to get stronger. My skating is also a work in progress and still needs improvement.
EB: Can you tell me a bit about the last season. Where did you play – where did you start it, where did you finish it?
I. Koltsov: Mainly I played for Severstal’s second team. I did spend a couple of practices with the first team, but mainly I played for the second team.
EB: Did you playe for the National Team?
I. Koltsov: I did. I played for the National Team in Slovakia last fall. I was also at the team’s training camp prior to the New Year and the [U18 – EB] World Junior Championships. There I was one of the last players cut from the team.
EB: You spent the last season in the 1st League. Did you set any goals before yourself in the beginning of the season and do you think you achieved them?
I. Koltsov: Yeah, definitely. I needed to play well on the second team, so that I could get invited to play for the first team. And here’s the result – the first [Super League – EB] team invited me in the preseason to join them. Anyway, I actually transferred to a different team.
EB: What role did you have in Severstal 2?
I. Koltsov: I was the leader of the team. I played in all kinds of situations – shorthanded, on the power play. I really like to play on the power play. I don’t like to play shorthanded too much, but I understand it’s necessary. I played on the first and second defensive pairings of the team.
EB: What roled did you have on the Russian National ’84 squad?
I. Koltsov: I did not play often on the power play. I did go out there, played and that’s it. Meaning, I wasn’t the leader, but more of an average defenseman.
EB: Can you talk a bit about the tournament that you went to last fall in Slovakia?
I. Koltsov: Well, we could have played better. I think we lost to the Czechs. We weren’t together and did not play well.
EB: How do you think you your self did?
I. Koltsov: Not bad, I think good enough for a 4 or a 4+ (B or a B+ – EB)
EB: Is this you first visit to North America?
I. Koltsov: No, I have already been about seven times. I have already been to Toronto three times. I was also in Ottawa, Vancouver. I mainly came here with the Youth National Team. Also, also went and visited my agent, Don Amine. I think it’s a beautiful over here. People live well, but then it gets a little tiring and I want to go back home. I get a little bored – I don’t know English well and it’s hard for me to say something.
EB: Do you follow North American hockey?
I. Koltsov: I constantly watch NHL games. I watched Toronto vs. Carolina. I like Carolina better – seem more a European team, but I think they were more lucky then Toronto. Toronto is a good team.
EB: What do you think are some of the differences between Russian and North American hockey?
I. Koltsov: There is more battling over here – the players play with more intensity over here. The best and the strongest play here. It is very interesting.
EB: This year you were invited to the annual NHL draft which this year is held in Toronto. The Central Scouting Bureau ranks you 37th amongst European skaters – which gives you a very solid chance to get drafted very high in the draft. What are your feelings regarding this? Did you feel any pressure?
I. Koltsov: I did not feel much pressure. Draft is a draft – there is nothing horrible about it.
EB: Edmonton drafted you, what is your opinion about your new team?
I. Koltsov: It’s a solid NHL team. I was drafted 106th overall. I expected that I would be drafted somewhere around there.
EB: What are you plans for next year?
I. Koltsov: I am transferring to Dynamo Moscow. I am not sure if I will make the starting lineup, but I will try.
EB: Why did you not stay with Dynamo?
I. Koltsov: I think because Dynamo has a better development school. More plays went on to play in the NHL from there.
EB: Do you have a favorite hockey player who you follow and try to emulate?
I. Koltsov: I really like Pronger. Lidstrom is pretty good. I think they are great defensemen.
EB: Ivan, thanks a lot for doing this interview.
I. Koltsov: No, thank you for the opportunity.
- Eugene Belashchenko
