|
Koroviev Pre-Draft Presser
|
AlucardRegistered S28 Challenge Cup Champion
<div align="center">Ready to Grade!
Koroviev Speaks to Media New York, 2 August ![[Image: RDS_20131019_93086.jpg]](http://rdsmedia.cookieless.ca/zone-video/images/logos/2013_1/RDS_20131019_93086.jpg) Fresh off the back of Russia's 2–1 shootout victory over the United States, Kelowna Knights winger Ivan Koroviev took some time out this afternoon to speak to the press and answer any questions pertaining to the Knights, the SMJHL, Russia, or the upcoming S25 Entry Draft. Koroviev—along with fellow Knight Maria Maximova—is one of the most recent additions to Team Russia, having made his debut in the 3–2 victory over Finland. The floor is now closed. Questions have beeen answered with the help of Koroviev's agent and translator, Dr. Acula.  You've been well talked about by some media experts. Ranging from being the 5th to 20th best draft prospect. Where do you honestly see yourself compared to other prospects?(trans): It’s difficult to say with such a large group of talented players, but I think I have the potential to be as good as any of them. I took longer to settle in that some others—even at Kelowna we had Kristján and Maria, who had excellent seasons—but I played my best hockey towards the end of the season, and I’m confident of a much better season going into S25. Of course it’s always nice when people recognise your talent, or your potential, but I know right now that there are others ahead of me in the pecking order. I’d like to think I’ll be drafted before the 2nd round, but I’ll have to wait and see what happens. Top choices to be drafted by? Why?If I had to choose… Calgary, Edmonton, and West Kendall all have players on their roster who I know and like, and that’s a big plus. It would be fantastic to play alongside Randy [Randleman], Adam [Abodobe], or Ales [Smirnov]. Seattle also have a few players I’m friends with from Kelowna or Russia, so I’d be happy there. Of course I want to win trophies, but who I play with is also very important to me. How does it feel to be one of the few true rookies to make an international team?It’s a huge honour. Ever since I started playing hockey seriously I have dreamt of representing Russia on the international stage, so to be given the chance to do that—especially at such a young age—is a huge honour. I’d like to thank Maximova, Nikitin, and Pirozhkov for their support—Nikitin in particular has supported me since I first moved to North America—and Barbashev and Harter for having the faith in me to call me up. It only makes me doubly determined to repay that faith, and I am confident that I will do that in the years to come. Russia seems to have produced a number of solid prospects within the last year. Care to comment on the future of Russia's Gold medal dreams?I do not think that they will be dreams for long. We have a number of very exciting prospects, and I see gold in our future. I think the management are aware of the potential in the ranks too, and giving the likes of myself, Maria, and Roman [Morenov] a chance to represent our country can only be the first step in a long-term plan for success. There is a real camaraderie in the locker room too, and we have a chance to learn from old hands whilst simultaneously forging a strong group of players who can—and will—challenge for honours in the very near future. Starting to get excited about the draft?Yeah, it’s been a bit of a crazy week for me. After the disappointment of the playoffs I’ve now made my first appearance for Russia, and have the draft sneaking up later this week. It’s difficult to get very excited about it when I’m concentrating on the national games, but I’m sure when it comes to the day I’ll be on the edge of my seat. It’ll be hectic with all the national games going on, but I’ll make sure I’m at the draft, whatever happens. How's the English coming along?(At this point Koroviev switched to English, and Acula kept quiet for a moment) (Koroviev  Is good! Well… is better. :lol: I have to thank all my teammates in Kelowna for making fun of me. I learn a lot this way. :lol: Is now difficult because this week I speak only Russian, but is not so difficult as beginning of season. Then I don’t speak to women—only Maria is the one I speak to—but now I go to bars and I can talk to all women. Then I go to Russia for Finland game and meet my mother. “Ivan,†she say, “I hope you not eh…†[To Acula] Chtoby prelstit? Ah yes: “I hope you not led astray by Canadian women!† Any offseason activities or training?(trans): I took some time to get away after the playoffs and drink some vodka, but with the IIHF games on now I’ve been back in training and back playing. I actually have less time this week than I did in the regular season, because of all the flying, and preparation. I guess I’ll have more time for vodka after those games, but then it’ll be back to training, back to pre-season, and back to spanking Vancouver. I don’t know how they did what they did this year—and congratulations to them for doing it—but we’ll put them back in their place in S25.  Is Tony Flow as overwhelmingly attractive in person as he is in the pictures?Yeah, he is. Honestly, it’s difficult to be around him sometimes. He makes you feel bad about your own face, and if you look at him for too long you have to change your underwear. I’m thinking of buying him a tinted visor for next season, just so I’ll won't have to contend with the full glory of his beautiful face. How does playing for your country feel compared to your SMJHL team?Well like I said, it’s a huge honour. It’s something you grow up dreaming about, and that’s not always the case with a club team—major or junior. Sometimes it is, but I came from Russia not knowing a lot about the juniors, and it’s only from playing for Kelowna that I came to love the organisation and the fans. And Tony, of course. It’s different in other ways too; in the SMJHL you see your teammates every day, so you know how everyone thinks and plays. With Russia I don’t see those guys as often, and I’d never played with most of them up until the Finland game. It’s nice having a familiar face on the line in Maximova, but it's still a very different experience.   What do you feel you have to add to a team?From a hockey perspective, the strongest part of my game is my passing. I don’t turn possession over very easily, so my game is really about keeping the puck, and doing something with it. I bring a lot off the ice too though, that you don’t really hear about in the media. It helps that we have a great group of people in Kelowna, but I always try to be social, to be supportive, and I train as hard as anybody. I try to make sure that none of my teammates miss out on opportunities to better themselves, but like I said; we have such a good group in Kelowna that there’s not even much of a need to remind people of deadlines or opportunities.   How do you feel about your future in the IIHF?Excited! It’s difficult not to be upbeat when you’ve just played your first games for your country, but I’m confident that I can have a long and successful career in the IIHF. The players who have been there and done it before me offer me a great source to learn from, and when they inevitably retire or stop playing for whatever reason, I’ll be there to take up the mantle. I really think I have what it takes to be a top line player for Russia, or at the very least a strong second liner. It’s even more exciting when you look at the young players we have; we have so much potential here that it’s difficult for me to imagine not winning a gold medal during my career.   What excites you most about going to the SHL?The challenge. It’s a big step up, but one that I’m confident I can make. There’s also the prospect of seeing my friends’ and teammates’ careers develop as well as my own. I’ll be sad to part with the Knights when the time comes, and to see our team split amongst the various SHL teams, but everyone wants to forge a successful career, and I will watch each and every one of them with interest. Of course my own development has to take priority; I’m very much looking forward to what I can learn from some of the more experienced SHL players, and I’ve set a goal for myself to become a top-level player in the league. That’s a challenge I’m very much looking forward to facing.   Do you think you will be sent down your first year?I think so, yes.   Do you mind being sent down your first year?Honestly, I don’t know if I’m ready to leave Kelowna yet, so I wouldn’t mind at all. We have such a good group there that it really hurt when our playoff run came to such an abrupt end; we all want to make amends next season, and to give the fans and management something to be proud of. If I’m desperately needed in the SHL then of course we can have discussions, but I won’t mind at all if I’m sent back to Kelowna.   What are your biggest goals for next season?To win the Four Star Cup, and to show the league just how good I can be. I had a hard time fitting in the first half of S24, and finishing the season with just 20 points was disappointing, so I want to double that next season. What was Randleman’s record this season? 47? I want at least 47 points.  :lol:   Who was your favorite player to play against this past season?To play against? I don’t know… maybe Lundqvist. He’s a top goalie and a nice guy, but I scored two goals on him last season. Still... I hope I won’t see him again until I’m in the SHL!   :lol: Do you think you'll be on the Knights' first line next season?That depends on who stays and who goes up to the SHL. Abodobe and Howard played ahead of me this season and they’re both very good players, but we’ll see. I think I’m good enough to get more ice time, but I don’t know who’ll be here and who won’t. Thoughts on your first season?It was a little bit disappointing from a stats point of view—and the way our season ended was very disappointing—but I learned a lot, and I’m very appreciative of the fact that I wound up in Kelowna. The organisation is immaculately run, the fans are great, and it’s been a privilege to play with the group of players that I got to play with. Most of my friends in North America are Kelowna players, or ex-Kelowna players, and that’s a testament to the organisation as much as it is a statement of which team I play for. Who will you be cheering for during the S25 prospects showcase?I guess it’s got to be either the Stingrays or the Outlaws… and something is telling me that it should be the Outlaws. It actually feels like something bad might happen to me if I side with the Stingrays… Outlaws! =D> =D> =D> Outlaws! =D> =D> =D>   Favourite moment of S24?Well making the roster for Team Russia and representing my country was amazing. If we’re just talking SMJHL, then… probably my debut against Detroit. It was a great experience skating out in front of the home fans at Prospera Place; I scored in the first period, and we won the game 5–2 I think, or 5–3. There were lots of good moments though, including the first home game against Vancouver, which we also won.   What are you most looking forward to next season?It depends on what happens after the draft, but right now I expect to be back at Kelowna next year, so I’m looking forward to trying to make amends for last season and bringing the Knights’ fans the Four Star Cup. I’m also looking forward to picking up my good end-of-season form from S24 and trying to have the most productive season I can. There’s a lot to look forward to; we’ll have some new players as well when the rookies are brought in, and of course it will be great to see everyone on a day-to-day basis again. Maria is the only Knight I’ve seen lately, because we’re both playing for Russia, but it’ll be great to see everyone else day-in day-out, and to work together towards having a successful season.   Anyone you would like to be drafted with?Aside from any of my current teammates? I’d obviously love to be drafted along with another Knight, but beyond that… Jesster, Kudleychuk, Flacko, Morenov, and Clayton are all guys that I get on well with, and are very good players. They all have a shot at going in the 1st round though, and I’ve said I’d like to go before the 2nd round, so I don’t know if it’ll happen. We’ll see. </div> (word count: 2,284)
BeanSnoodieRegistered S35 Challenge Cup Champion
You've been well talked about by some media experts. Ranging from being the 5th to 20th best draft prospect. Where do you honestly see yourself compared to other prosepects?
Top choices to be drafted by? Why? How does it feel to be one of the few true rookies to make an international team? Russia seems to have produced a number of solid prospects within the last year. Care to comment on the future of Russia's Gold medal dreams?
jRuutuRegistered S45 Challenge Cup Champion
Massive CoilerFile Worker Top 100... in our hearts
How's the English coming along?
Any offseason activities or training? Is Tony Flow as overwhelmingly attractive in person as he is in the pictures? How does playing for your country feel compared to your SMJHL team? How excited are you for the upcoming SHL draft?
benzasomeRegistered Senior Member
What do you feel you have to add to a team?
How do you feel about your future in the IIHF? What excites you most about going to the SHL? Do you think you will be sent down your first year? Do you mind being sent down your first year?
BallerstormRegistered S27, S29, S32, S40, S42 Challenge Cup Champion What are your biggest goals for next season? Who was your favorite player to play against this past season? Do you have any preference as to where you want to play in the SHL?
enigmaticTrading Card Team currently with big titles
Do you think you'll be on the Knights' first line next season?
Thoughts on your first season? Who will you be cheering for during the S25 prospects showcase? ![[Image: 6nwmd0.gif]](http://i58.tinypic.com/6nwmd0.gif)
![[Image: Oqsvuu4.png]](https://i.imgur.com/Oqsvuu4.png)    
carousel182Registered S27 Challenge Cup Champion
Favourite moment of S24?
What are you most looking forward to next season? Anyone you would like to be drafted with ? |
|
« Next Oldest | Next Newest »
|
![[Image: Flusso.png]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1082059261103841302/1082059346684416131/Flusso.png)
![[Image: YztPk3T.png]](http://i.imgur.com/YztPk3T.png)
![[Image: 6by0kBi.png]](http://i.imgur.com/6by0kBi.png)
| Users browsing this thread: |
| 1 Guest(s) |
