Valery Bragin: "It was important to see how the players compete in different situations"

After the completion of the 2016 CIBC Canada Russia Series, Russia under 20 national team head coach Valery Bragin summed up the overall performance.

Valery Bragin, Russia U20 head coach:

- We wanted to win every game, but it was important to see how our players can compete in different situations.

- After winning two out of the first three games, the team then lost all remaining matches. What happened?

- It's hard to single out one reason, but the physical state of the players wasn't great. I think that this is why we lost. Nevertheless, as coaches, we have gathered the required information. 

- Does it worry you that the team didn't score on the powerplay?

- Some of the players didn't adapt to the smaller ice. In North America, you have to make decisions with the puck faster. We will work on this.

- Goaltender Konstantin Volkov didn't play at all. Does this mean that Ilya Samsonov, Anton Krasotkin and Vladislav Sukhachyov will be the netminding trio for the World Championship?

- Why do you think that? Konstantin performed well at November's Four Nations competition in Sweden, we decided to give other goalkeepers a chance at the Super Series. We have not yet made a final decision.

- What about other players?

- We have seen all national team candidates in action. At this series, I was particularly interested to see how players competing in Canadian leagues are getting on. There are around seven to eight spots on the roster which are yet to be decided.

- Looking ahead, what are the team's plans before the World Championship?

- On December 7th, the team will gather in Novogorsk before flying to Canada on the 18th. We will hold a training camp in Kingston. Friendly matches will take place against Denmark on the 20th of December and with Sweden on the 22nd.

- How many players will be present at the training camp?

- 28 players who compete in Russia will get together in Novogorsk. After training for a week, we will decide who to take to Canada. We are definitely counting on OHL defensemen Mikhail Sergachyov and Sergei Zborovsky. All national team candidates who play in North America will join up with the team in Kingston.

Russian Ice Hockey Federation