Open training session ahead of the Channel One Cup

The Russian national team held an open training session at the SKA Arena in Saint Petersburg ahead of the upcoming Channel One Cup, which will take place between the 12th and 15th of December.

GROUP 1

Goalkeepers:

Ilya Nabokov, Artemiy Pleshkov, Vladislav Podyapolsky.

Defensemen:

Alexander Nikishin - Danila Galenyuk;

Ilya Karpukhin - Alexander Yelesin;

Arseniy Koromyslov - Bogdan Konyushkov;

Nikita Smirnov - Dmitry Simashev.

Forwards:

Vasily Glotov - Evgeny Kuznetsov - Sergei Plotnikov;

Arseniy Gritsyuk - Mikhail Grigorenko - Marat Khairullin;

Vitaly Abramov - Ilya Safonov - Maxim Sorkin;

Mikhail Kotlyarevsky - Ruslan Iskhakov - Prokhor Poltapov.

GROUP 2

Goalkeeper: Artemiy Pleshkov.

Defensemen:

Mikhail Gulyayev, Timur Kol, Magomed Sharakanov.

Forwards:

Nikita Korostelyov, Grigory Kuzmin, Ivan Demidov, Nikolai Polyakov.

Russia 25 head coach Roman Rotenberg:

"We're fully satisfied with how our guys trained today, they all gave 100%. Given that half of our team consists of SKA players and the remaining half of players from different clubs, we subsequently spent time working on our tactics so that everyone understands how we want to play. Some of the guys played for us last season at the Channel One Cup and during our May tour, meaning that they're already familiar with our system.

"Instead of training on the ice tomorrow, we will visit the Peter and Paul Fortress together and hold a master-class for children at the world's largest skating rink! Our task is to unite the group and create a friendly atmosphere within the team. Given just how motivated the guys are to represent the Russian national team, I'm sure that we'll achieve that particular goal! Every player which represents the national side moves up a gear and takes the step to the next level. I would also like to thank Channel One for broadcasting all of our matches.

"The KHL World Team adds a new aspect to the competition? We don't know the tactics which they will use, but we're familiar with their head coach Mike Keenan. We can watch the repeat of the 1994 Stanley Cup final or when he competed in the final of the KHL with Magnitogorsk, but there's no guarantee that he will use the same tactics. Nonetheless, we have a rough understanding of the ice hockey which they'll display. From our point of view, we won't move away from the approach which we always use. Our goal is to prove that we will once again became the best team in the world.

"Anatoly Tarasov would have today turned 106 years of age? We have huge respect for Anatoly and his family, we're always taking the best from how other coaches work. Fellow legend Vladimir Yurzinov is currently working with us and offering assistance."

Russia 25 goalkeeper Ilya Nabokov:

"I'm happy that I have the opportunity to play for the national team here at the Channel One Cup. Of course, we all understand that we have a lot of responsibility laying on our shoulders. All of our opponents at the tournament are strong, we know just how well Belarus and Kazakhstan can play. Our task is to beat everyone and win all of our matches. From a personal point of view, I will do my best to help the team!"

Russia 25 defenseman Mikhail Gulyayev:

"This is the first time when I will play for the Russian national team! I'm really excited to get going, there are a lot of strong players and teams at the Channel One Cup. This experience will be useful for everyone competing here. We will play aggressive ice hockey in every game and play for victory."