Media briefing with Roman Rotenberg in Novogorsk

HC SKA head coach Roman Rotenberg:

- We're happy to be here in Novogorsk, the facilities are the best in Russia for season preparation. Thank you to the Ministry of Sport for allowing us to train in Novogorsk. This isn't the first year when we've been training here, all of the infrastructure has been checked out. We held our circuit training session outdoors today, consequently giving our players space in order to complete all of the exercises. Our task is to ensure that all of the guys are at the same level of readiness by the time the training camp ends.

- Taking into account the format of the upcoming 2024/2025 campaign, will SKA's preparation change at all?

- All of our players are professionals and were in great physical shape when undergoing their medicals. We are always making tweaks to the way in which we operate, coaches should always continue learning and introducing adjustments. For example, this evening, a world judo champion will join us and conduct a training session. We all love ice hockey, but it's also important to give the guys something new. We're trying to gather the best aspects of all sports and incorporate them into our game so that we display exciting, modern ice hockey. We want to be at our best by the time our first competitive match is held.

- Did anyone arrive with some extra kilograms after the summer break?

- No, no one. Such players aren't playing for SKA. We're doing our best to create the strongest team possible, and at this moment in time the side is 99.9% ready. Maybe we'll learn something new this evening when we train with the judo world champion.

- Who will be SKA's captain? Your team contains a lot of leaders.

- We'll have a conversation within the group about that. Alexander Nikishin is currently our captain, someone who always battles hard for the team. A lot of time remains before our maiden KHL match.