Denis Kulyash: “I will not become limp”

Denis Kulyash, a hockey player of Moscow Dynamo, played at the World Championship for the Russian national team last spring. And now sent to the second team of the club. In an interview with Sport Today, the defender assures that the link will not force him to give up.


- What did they tell you when you were sent to the second team?

- I didn’t get into the squad after the match with Tractor. But no one explained anything.

- And how are you?

- I don’t. Anyone can be sent to the farm club. What if it is an educational measure? To enhance skill.

- If you were the head coach, would you apply such a measure in relation to Denis Kulyash?

“I'm not in charge.” And Vladimir Krikunov, apparently, has arguments in favor of such a decision. I have no right to dispute them.

“But don't you feel that there are problems?” Psychological, gaming ...

- The coach knows better what I am missing: “physics” or moral-volitional. I know that if I went out on the ice, I would play at full strength. As always. But Vladimir Vasilyevich probably thought that I ... was not needed.

“Have you talked to him about this?”

- Not. I train with the basic structure. Probably, if everything was very serious, they would call me to talk. Although, perhaps, he will still be ... While I am a hockey player for Dynamo.

- And at the end of the season will you be?

- I have a contract until April 2008. But everything can change. If you want to part with me, then I will find the option to continue my career. Either in Russia, or ...

- ... in the NHL?

- Let's just say, abroad.
- After all, Nashville offered you a contract this offseason. I had to go.

“You know, I needed Dynamo.” He promised to spend two years here. When I moved here, I already let CSKA down, where they counted on me. I did not want to repeat the mistake.

- Krikunov says that your problems are primarily psychological. You can’t abandon, you are nervous.

“Serious people have been talking to me in the last two to three months.” They made it clear that you need to be quieter. I gritted my teeth. There have been no conflicts recently.

“Have you been before?”

- Maybe.

- But this is not about that. The coach meant that you are too hard going through failures on the ice. For example, if there is no roll, then this affects other components.

“Perhaps, perhaps.” I had good moments. And “one to zero” came out, but the puck did not go.

- Still intend to prove their usefulness or decided to wait until the end of the season?

- I will fight for a place in the squad. This year, Igor Mirnov was sent to the Dynamo Club to the farm club. And look how he plays now. And I won’t give up.

Alexey Shevchenko


All Articles