Student Hockey League press-conference

Today on the 21st of October, a special press-conference was held before the start of the Student Hockey League inside Tambov's LDS Kristall arena.

Honoured USSR ice hockey coach and Student Hockey League board chairman Vladimir Yurzinov, world champion Alexei Yashin, managing director of the league Anton Khramtsov, member of the league board Vyacheslav Potekhim, chief of the physical culture department and tourism Mikhail Belousov, chairman of the Tambov ice hockey association Alexander Malin and TGU rector Vladimir Stromov all took part in the press-conference. 

Vladimir Yurzinov, honoured USSR and Russian ice hockey coach, chairman of the Student Hockey League board:

- First of all, I would like to say a big thank you for the organisation of this tournament. We need to understand that not everyone will become great players, the main thing is that these guys will grow up being educated. Also, we want them to carry on playing ice hockey and eventually bring children into this sport!

Vladimir Stromov, rector of TGU:

- It's a big event for us. For our university, student sport has always been an important part of our development. I agree with Vladimir Yurzinov that we need to assist our students into becoming prepared for the future. It's a big celebration for Tambov, and I think that the Student Hockey League will continue to grow and develop.

Alexei Yashin, world champion and honoured Master of Sport:

- I want to wish all of the guys luck, it's hard to combine ice hockey and studies. I saw how tough it was for my brother. I want the students in this league to get top grades but win ice hockey tournaments at the same time. The main thing is that they gained a future and will be decent people. Hopefully, no one will get injured either.

Mikhail Belousov, chief of the sporting culture and tourism department:

- It's a fantastic event with the Student Hockey League starting up, and it displays how much this country loves sport. At the moment, there are five ice hockey rinks in Tambov, and the statistics show that we can't cope with the mass interest to the sport. We have already discussed this, and know how we have to develop even further. 

Alexander Malin, chairman of the Tambov ice hockey association:

- Thank you to our guests to coming to the Student Hockey League opening. It's great that such ice hockey legends are here in Tambov. Also, thanks to the press for being with us.

Vyacheslav Potekhin, member of the Student Hockey League board:

- On the 22nd of April in Kazan, our president Vladimir Putin discussed about the decision to create the Student Hockey League. This has opened another page of the Russian ice hockey story. I'm happy that Tambov is the place of the league opening. I congratulate everyone with this celebration!

Anton Khramtsov, managing director of the Student Hockey League:

- I would like to thank Vladimir Stromov for the opportunity to hold this event in Tambov. The work which has been undertaken has enabled us to develop student hockey not only in Tambov, but in the Russian Federation. The start of the Student Hockey League has long been awaited. Finally, having worked really hard, it's starting. More than one hundred teams from 35 regions of our country will compete, and this proves that we can take student ice hockey on to a new level.

Russian Ice Hockey Federation