Yegor Rykov: "We have a great team"

The KHL's best rookie of the week Yegor Rykov gave a large interview to the KHL's official website:

- How did you find out that you had been crowned the KHL's top rookie of the week?

- Alexander Barabanov told me in the bus after a game. He was looking on the internet and found out. It's nice that the league has noticed me.

- SKA have taken points from nine out of ten of the season's games so far. What's the secret?

- We simply have a great team! Everything is going to plan. We worked well during the pre-season and have some excellent players.

- People say that Oleg Znarok's training camps are really tough. Can you back that opinion up?

- Yes, it was really hard for me. Never mind, it will help us all during the season.

- Is Oleg Znarok a strict coach?

- Yes, but he is always fair!

- While he is away with the Russian national team, Pyotr Vorobyov has arrived. Has a lot changed?

- Nothing much has changed, it's pretty much the same.

- Pyotr Vorobyov is known for working with younger plays. Is he giving you special attention and sharing tips?

- Of course. He is a fantastic coach, his name speaks for itself. I always listen to his advice.

- How is it playing with such stars such as Ilya Kovalchuk and Pavel Datsyuk?

- Off the ice, they are normal and humble guys. They are always willing to talk and help me out. They're not difficult people at all, I love talking with them.

- Do you ask them for advice?

- Sometimes.

- Being one of the youngest in the team, do others pick on you?

- No! I only have to collect all of the pucks after training, but that happens everywhere.

- NHL Stanley Cup winner Vyacheslav Voynov signed for SKA last season. Have you been taking things from his game?

- Yes, sometimes. You can always learn from others.

- When you were younger, did you have an idol?

- It's hard to answer this question. Probably, it was Sergei Makarov.

- Do you also like to join the rush?

- It's modern ice hockey. As a defenseman, you should think about your own duties at first and then help the forwards out.

- Last season, you played in the KHL, VHL and MHL playoffs. How hard was it to adapt?

- It wasn't that difficult. The coaches told me how to play and I tried to do my best. You get used to it.

- You often play for SKA-Neva and SKA-1946 too.

- When you play lots of matches, you become more experienced. At my age, you need to keep playing all the time.

- Speak about your SKA first team debut.

- Alexander Dergachyov and I had just arrived back from the World Junior Championship and I was told to play for the first team. It was against CSKA, a really important match! Of course, I was a bit nervous, but it went well. The coaches praised me afterwards.

- What impressions were you left with from the World Junior Championship?

- Positive ones! Our team and staff became one big family, we all made friends. We almost became champions.

- Nevertheless, you can go for the title again this winter, you're eligible to play.

- First of all, I have to work hard in order to be called up. I will never forget what happened last year, it was one of the best moments of my life!

- This summer, you were the under 20 national team captain. Was this a new role for you?

- No, I had been captain before. It's obvious that it's adds real responsibility.

- In normal life, who is the real Yegor Rykov?

- A calm, friendly guy. And a little shy.

- Do you have a hobby?

- I wouldn't call it a hobby, but I like watching basketball. I support the Chicago Bulls. Just like everyone else, I play NHL on the Xbox.

- Who are your main fans?

- My parents. When we play in Moscow, my father always comes to the stadium. He even gives me tips sometimes.