The Army club forward Takhir Mingachev told about his summer vacation, preparation for the new season, and who he cheers for in the Stanley Cup.
- Tell us how you spent your summer vacation. Where have you been, how did you rest?
- I spent my summer vacation in Samara, I often go with my friends to the Volga; the water there is great. Active recreation is more acceptable to me, I can`t stay idle, but I want to lie on a beach sometimes too.
- Have you already started preparing for the pre-season?
- Yes, I started to get ready for the season in the middle of May. I skated on ice with the Samara hockey players, and physical training takes up a big part of my preparation.
- Last season you made your KHL debut and played 19 games. What are your impressions from the first team? What do you think we should work on in the summer to try to become a part of the main team?
- My experience in the KHL has opened my eyes to my abilities. I understand that I still need to work and work to feel good there. Right now I'm preparing hard to try to stay in the league. That's the goal of every hockey player - to play at the highest level.
- Are you following the NHL playoffs? If so, who would you bet on as a future champion and why?
- I support the Islanders in the NHL, my countryman Semyon Varlamov plays there. I would like to see the Stanley Cup come to Samara as well, there are a lot of young prospects in this city that want to play at the highest level possible.
