Vitaly Prokhorov: "The Five Nations is a dress rehearsal before the World Championship"

The Russian under 18 head coach Vitaly Prokhorov had this to say after today's training session in Novogorsk:

- During the whole of this season, we have been working over our system and methods. The situation is simple: we have international games and the MHL. When playing international matches, we invite players from other MHL clubs to the team. The Five Nations tournament in Finland is a dress rehearsal before the World Championship - apart from Canada, all of the strongest teams will be there. It will be important for us to see how we compare up to these teams. The MHL is one issue, however international games are of a different level. After the Five Nations finishes, we will return to play the final games in the MHL. Our main season target has already been achieved, we are first in the division and are trying to become first in the conference. The playoffs will then come up, and in early April we will begin preparation for the World Championship.

- Which opponent at the Five Nations would you single out?

- We are playing four games in as many days. All games are important, we can't pick anyone out as being particularly strong or weak. We will begin against Finland, and then the second match against the USA will be held in the afternoon. In comparison with the Americans, we will have less time to rest. Also, the third match against the Czech Republic will be during the day. Our fourth game opponents, Sweden, will also have a break. Given these factors, each opponent will be serious. All of the teams at this tournament, including mine, are worthy of each other, and all have gone into the tournament at 90% of their capabilites.

- Is this squad an optimal one? Will further changes be made before the World Championship?

- After this tournament, a maximum of two or three changes will be made. I think that other teams will also be checking out some candidates, Finland and Sweden have practically finalised their squads. The Americans are playing in their own championship. We know all the opponents' players and qualities, only the games will show who is stronger.

- With the MHL season coming to an end, you can sum up how the project has gone for your team.

- Firstly, it was needed to play in this league so that the guys played against older players. It's harder to play when the opponents have more class and strength, and this increases the growth of our team. We are growing, amd we can always correct something or change the way that our training process works.

- As a coach, what is more important: giving players the chance to play, or the results?

- Not only the sporting results are the most important thing. All of the guys study at school, at university, a lot of things go on.

- You are more than a coach to this team.

- Around 50% of the team have stayed since I began coaching them at sixteen years of age in Austria. We have looked over 70% of players born in 1998 and some born in 1999. When stepping up to the under 18 side, we already knew who to take with us (with the exception of players playing in North America).

Russian Ice Hockey Federation