Valery Nichushkin and Pavel Kraskovsky speak about the Karjala Cup

Valery Nichushkin, Russian national team forward:

- For the fans, it will be an interesting tournament. There are a lot of players my age in this team, and I will have to show my leadership qualities on the ice. I'm ready to play with any of my teammates, but we have only trained together once. We're prepared to play physical if needs be.

- Can the team play typical youth ice hockey and still get the result?

- I hope so. I think that everything will work out for us. The guys want to prove themselves in the national team.

Pavel Kraskovsky, Russian national team forward:

- It was really nice to be called up to the national side, it comes with a lot of responsibility. We should prove why the coaches have put faith in us. What are the differences from the junior team? It doesn't matter what age we have, the atmosphere is the same. We all know each other.

- What goals do you have for this tournament?

- We want to win! If you play without that target, nothing good will happen.

- Do you miss having more experienced players in the team?

- We have enough experienced players who have been here before. They help us.

- Who do you want to be captain?

- I won't say that, I think that the coaches will tell us who's captain.

Russian Ice Hockey Federation