Alexei Yarushkin: "Coaches dream of working in the KHL"

- Was SKA's offer unexpected?

- Yes, it really was something out of the blue. To be honest I didn't need a lot of time to think about it, for any coach this is a step up. Like hockey players themselves, coaches also dream of working in the KHL - especially with such a big club.

- How did your former team take the news?

- It's hard for me to tell, when I left the guys didn't know. We agreed on the deal in the morning, and already at 7.40 in the morning I was on the train to Saint Petersburg. Friends, family and players all congratulated me - I'm still receiving congratulations.

- Has Spartak's youth team been left in safe hands?

- Yes, we agreed on this with Spartak's General Manager Alexei Zhamnov. Dmitry Frolov, my assistant, has stayed there, and we have worked together for a long time. We have the same outlook on hockey.

- What is the main thing for a coach when taking such a jump?

- Work experience is needed, that's the main thing. I have some experience from both the KHL and the MHL. Without this, it would be tough.

- What is your job in SKA?

- On the bench during games I look after shift changes, and how our defencemen perform. Sometimes I need to tell someone something, support the players. All the coaches together are working together.

- You are used to giving chances to young players. Will this continue with SKA?

- Yes, my opinion is that young players need to be given opportunities on the ice. Dmitry Yudin is a good example. He's a young defenceman born in 1995, and played in my first match in Saint Petersburg. I was very impressed by his performance.