- Honestly, no one suggested that you are interested in coaching. You had a union of players and coaches. It seemed that you were happy with life.
“Pleased, you're right.” And, honestly, he did not expect me to be included in the headquarters of the club near Moscow. But I’m not getting into coaching.
- And then what are you doing at the team bench?
- Helping Mike Krushelnitsky talk with the players.
- Do you go to training?
- I’m leaving, but I’m not doing any coaching work. Mike says I'm translating.
- Why then you were officially appointed a coach? After all, you have been appointed to the position of assistant general manager.
- The circumstances are as follows.
- What did they say? Still, these posts are not the same thing.
“I didn't even ask.”
- You will not have a trade union now?
- Why? I continue to lead the players union. But for now, I have to deal with this work. Flights, training, games. Used to such a lifestyle. It's in my blood.
“So what about the union?”
- It's okay. The organization has a lot of people, they work. November 24, we will begin to prepare a collective agreement. And in December we plan to sign it with the team leaders.
- famously! But what about the union, which is headed by former arbiter Anatoly Bardin? It was believed that he would sign this notorious treaty, which has been spoken about for several years, but nothing has changed.
- Uh ... We found a common language with Bardin. In general, our trade unions are very different.
- What? Both gathered under their banners hockey players. Both intend to sign a collective agreement with employers.
- Not so simple. But now we have found a common language. The Bardin union will not bother us.
- And how many members in your union?
- Almost all teams. Except ... I don’t know. But there are a lot of us.
- The collective agreement is a very serious document. Are you going to expose any fundamental conditions there?
- There, for example, there will be requirements for the start dates of the season. It is necessary that the teams begin training on the same day. Or questions on contracts. A player cannot be fired from the club a few hours before the end of the bid campaign.
- What about club leaders? Will they sign the contract?
- Now our lawyers are preparing their papers. And the lawyers of the club owners are their own. Then a special congress will take place, where all these issues will be discussed.
- The Bardin union was not recognized by the Russian Hockey Federation. On this he seems to have gotten burned. Do your recognize?
- Everything will be fine. Vladislav Tretyak knows about this. Vyacheslav Fetisov too.
- And approve?
- Yes.
- Strange. If there is a union, then you will begin to dictate terms. So you can get to the lockout.
- No, there will be no lockout. I think we’ll agree. Everything will be according to the law. The need for a union has come to a head.
- Back to hockey. Are you going to continue your coaching career? Now, if Mike Krushelnitsky asks you to work with the defense? Or with an attack ...
“Unless specifically asked ...”
Alexey Shevchenko
See also: Weekly NHL Review