For the second year in a row, Denis Mosalev, a pupil of the Magnitogorsk ice hockey school, wins the Gagarin Cup with Dynamo Moscow. Six or seven years ago, such information could have shocked Metalurh fans, but now such news is not uncommon.

In April 2013, together with Mosalev, another student of Magnitka, Dmitry Pestunov, became the owner of the Gagarin Cup. Alas, we did not have time to meet with him. But we talked to Denis.

Our reference:

MOSALEV Denis. Amplua is a striker. Born on February 28, 1986. Height 177, weight 79. Pupil of the Magnitogorsk hockey school.

In the regular championships of the country for Metallurg 13 matches, 4 goals, 2 assists, 2 penalty minutes. Didn't play in the playoffs.

Career in other clubs: HC MVD (Moscow region, 2007-2010), Dynamo (Moscow, since 2010). In the KHL regular championships 185 matches, 37 goals, 33 assists, 61 penalty minutes, +24. In the Gagarin Cup there are 63 matches, 11 goals, 8 assists, 24 penalty minutes, +9.

Titles: Champion of Russia 2007. Winner of the Gagarin Cup 2012 and 2013

• Denis, which of the Gagarin Cups was given with more blood and sweat?
• I think it's still the second one. It is always said that winning is easier than keeping the title. Plus there was some kind of responsibility. The first time they won, they were not initially considered favorites. This time something like that was expected from us. Therefore, the second Gagarin Cup was more difficult, even in terms of emotion.
• And this despite the fact that in the final this time it took six matches, and in the final with Omsk there were more problems.
• Agree. Plus, there was even less pause in relation to other years. All this left an imprint, and it was much harder. All this was felt. We talked about this with the guys in the team, and everyone agreed that it was harder to win the second Gagarin Cup.
• There was information that you played with a fairly serious injury. And not only you, but also some other hockey players. Wasn't there any prohibition on the part of the doctors?
• Doctors forbade me to go out on the ice. The guys themselves wanted to play in order to go on the ice and help the team.
• In which playoff match did you get injured?
• In the second match of the final at Luzhniki. He hurt his hand very badly.
• What did the German doctors tell you when you flew to them for examination?
• That this is a very common injury. Thank God the operation was not required. He underwent a course of treatment, wore a splint, and while the hand does not bother. If you suddenly start to bother, then, I think, you cannot do without an operation.
• In general, it is not surprising that most professional athletes to cure serious injuries, fly overseas?
• I don’t know about all over Russia, but in Moscow I also went through a lot of procedures, clinics, good doctors work there. Is there really good conditions in hospitals, apparatus for treatment. I just flew to Germany on vacation, and I had the opportunity to get to the clinic, since the distance was short - two hundred kilometers. A German doctor worked with me, there was a translator nearby.
• Have you met with Alexander Goltz?
• Oh sure. He is doing well, he lives in Germany. I like it, everything is fine. He says that there is not enough communication with Russian people. We were, so to speak, an outlet for him. I got the latest news from us.
• Did he even watch the Gagarin Cup final?
• Yes, I watched, followed, called after each game, congratulated.
• Last year you brought the Gagarin Cup to Magnitogorsk, it was exhibited at the Metallurg Sports School ...
• This year it probably won't work. And there is little time left, and I arrived here not as early as last year. I called, found out, the guys took a long line, so this time it will not work to bring the Gagarin Cup to Magnitogorsk.
• Have you received an offer to return to Metallurg?
• No. At least I and my agent were not contacted. I think he would have told me if there was an offer.
• At the same time, you are building a house in Magnitogorsk. How far has construction progressed in a year?
• Now we stopped by. The second floor is unfinished, but the first was done well. It is convenient to live. Everything that is needed has been done. Thanks to my wife's parents, they tried very hard.
• And in winter this house is not empty?
• Of course not. As I said, his wife's parents are watching him. Because there is no end to work in your home. One thing must be done, then another.
• Do the owners of nearby houses know who their neighbor is?
• Some - yes (smiles). We just met with a neighbor, talked. He said he knew me, saw me on TV. We talked on a good note, now we will be friends.
• The tournament in memory of Yuri Shpigalo has recently ended, where you, Pestunov, Gladskikh played. Why did you need it? Why should professionals participate in such tournaments? After all, you are taking risks.
• They invited the guys to play and help. First of all, you still need to start going out on the ice. And this is a very good practice, especially since the tournament was held at a very good level. In other teams there were a lot of good, playing hockey players who were not inferior to anything, at least in physically... An interesting tournament. There would be more such tournaments and teams to participate in them. To get everyone together for a week and play in such a tournament. I really liked it. Dima Pestunov came and said that they had played great. We felt it all over again. We rested for two months. In fact, a cool tournament.
• In your opinion, what percentage is the training camp in Pinsk of Dynamo's overall team success?
• I think ninety-nine percent. Because before each game, even Oleg Valerievich says, they say, why did they work and die in Pinsk? To go out and give it all? That is, very serious work is being done there. And from one memory it is already scary in my soul. This moment is getting closer and closer.
• If it's not a secret, what is one day of training camp in Pinsk?
• This can be any workout at the discretion of the trainer. It will definitely not be easy.
• The most hard exercise For you?
• The barbell, in my opinion, is difficult for any player. Plus acceleration when you run.
• Especially in the heat?
• Yes. The weather certainly does. It was hotter that year than in those years. They ran as if on a hot frying pan. Of course, the load was reduced a little for us, but it was still hard.
• Wives and children will not go to Pinsk?
• No. This has not happened, and I think it will not. Plus, Spartan conditions have been created there. Wives and children will feel uncomfortable. Pinsk has a good base for training process where there is everything to train and not think about anything else.
• Many who are reading this interview now, to put it mildly, are perplexed. Denis Mosalev, two-time Gagarin Cup winner with Dynamo Moscow, is building a house in Magnitogorsk. Why not in Moscow or in the Moscow region? Have you really not become attached to life in Moscow?
• Now, one might say, I'm used to it. Everything is already normal in terms of everyday life, the training process. So to speak, I am familiar with the area. But my wife and I talked about this, and made conclusions. In Magnitogorsk we have friends, parents and relatives.
• Have you watched this year's Stanley Cup games?
• Several matches with the participation of Pittsburgh. I couldn't watch the final, because I started training, and I sleep at night (laughs).
• Basically, now any game can be found on the Internet in the recording ...
• Yes, of course, I definitely watch interesting moments later.
• All you hear is that the NHL is cool and great! What are the impressions of the two-time Gagarin Cup winner about the Stanley Cup matches?
• It's hard for me to compare. I have not attended such matches. NHL matches look decent on TV. If you look KHL matches and the NHL on TV, the NHL is more interesting and fascinating.
• Precisely on TV?
• Yes. But I don't know what it depends on.
• More than thirty cameras work at every NHL game.
• And still, I can't judge the NHL, because I haven't been to any game.
• Are you far from the Stanley Cup? You're not even drafted.
• Dreaming is not harmful. Than God is not joking. I don’t think about the bad, only the good. Time will show.
• You are only 27 years old, and you already have two Gagarin Cups in a row. Doesn't it relax?
• In fact, you forget, everyone around says that this is already history, you need to strive to conquer new peaks. These words were not invented by us, and anyway, when you go to every game, you don’t think that you won before. Likewise, Evgeni Malkin won almost everything, a great player, broke many records, but he also continues to keep the bar, because he also cannot go out and play relaxed. First of all, you can get injured, and then everything can end sadly. All this, first of all, comes from the head. You tune in for every match, segment.
• You have already moved into the middle-aged player category. Young people are growing up: the 91st, 92nd, 93rd, 94th year of birth has long been knocking on the doors of the KHL. What is your impression of today's youth?
• Again, people are different, in character and in nature. We have defender Andrei Mironov, he was born in 94. Only positive emotions. Modest. On the contrary, the coaches tell him: be more impudent. At the games, yes, he does not feel sorry for anyone, he behaves with dignity in the team, and will not give anyone offense. Good guy.
• For the lockout period, Ovechkin, Backstrom came to Dynamo, and became the team's top scorers in the regular season. Moreover, with a decent margin. Did you notice anything special about these players?
• They have a lot of confidence. Confidence for any player means a lot, that he is confident in his abilities, that he will go out and play. Plus these guys in the NHL are not in the last roles. Ovechkin became the best. There is something to learn from them. We can say that they are great players. And they made a name for themselves when they were young. Sometimes such things are done on the ice that they are simply mesmerizing.
• What platforms do you vote for?
• I think this is an eternal debate. They will do the little ones, they will say that it was better on the big ones. There will always be people who are against and who are for. Do not know. I've been playing big games all my life, and everything suits me.
• The transfer to Dynamo Karpov and Nichushkin caused a lot of emotions among the fans. What emotions did this information evoke in you? Or did you know about it even before the official announcement?
• Well no. I also found out about it on the Internet. He didn't say anything like that. Young guys came and played well. Welcome, let the team benefit and everything will be fine.
• How do you feel about the limit on legionnaires? Is the amount now normal?
• I think yes. The number of players is now normal. There should always be competition. I'm just for her. It is only through competition that you grow yourself. If there is no competition, you just go with the flow, everything suits you, and you yourself do not move anywhere. However, if there are half of the team or more legionnaires, then nothing good Russian players it won't.
• Hockey players from Traktor and Dynamo had the shortest vacation among the KHL teams. How long did it take you to recover from such a difficult season?
• For a month and a half, I definitely didn’t do anything. During this period, they only swam, rested, sunbathed.
• V Beach football did you play volleyball?
• Alas, he treated his hand, walked along the beach, watched the guys play volleyball, envied them. The hand did not allow. It turns out that he did nothing at all. Now I have already started to train, to get in shape. I think we rested normally and enough. The most important thing is to heal all the injuries that were, and also to recharge emotionally for the season. All this must be done on vacation.
• Sergei Fedorov said in an interview that the future champion was determined in the CSKA - Dynamo series. Indeed, both teams showed just space hockey. Do you agree with Fedorov?
• Perhaps. CSKA has a very good composition, very good players... And all matches ended either in overtime or in regulation time with one goal difference. I think we were a little lucky in this regard, because the swing could swing towards CSKA. The army team of Moscow could claim the title if they passed us.
• It seems to me that if Ilya Proskuryakov, who played his segment to zero in the first match, would have stayed in this series, CSKA would have had more chances for an overall victory.
• Proskuryakov is an excellent goalkeeper. He saved a lot, pulled out "dead" washers. The coach decided to return Stan. He also played at a decent level, helped the team a lot.
• And yet, was there any surprise on the part of Dynamo players that Proskuryakov did not continue to defend CSKA's goal in that series?
• What is this surprise for us? We focused on our game. It didn't matter to us who would be CSKA's goalkeeper. We analyzed our moment, what we did not succeed in.
• Remember when in last time have you seen Yevgeny Malkin?
• Somehow last summer in Moscow. We met: me, Dmitry Pestunov and Zhenya. We sat for literally an hour in a restaurant, talked a little, and again he had to run somewhere (smiles). Evgeny, however, is a very busy person ...
• Last season I didn't manage to play against him ...
• The series "Dynamo" - "Slovan" ended as quickly as possible. Did you manage to watch the ending of the series "Metallurg" - "Salavat Yulaev"?
• Yes, we did it. We won four games, thank God, against Slovan, then rested for three days. I can say that there were equal teams. Had Magnitka scored first, I think it would not have missed it either. However, Ufa scored first.

The interview was conducted by Artur IVANNIKOV.

Season 2016/17:

Having scored the first goal of the season already in the second game of the regular season, Denis Mosalev seemed ready to go back to the schedule of the previous season, when he managed to score in every third match. Alas, the next time Mosalev managed to distinguish himself only on October 6 in a meeting with Riga "Dynamo", and before that the forward was forced to miss a number of meetings due to injury. At the end of October, with one puck, Denis took part in major victory over Barys, and then scored 3 (2 + 1) points in a home match with Dinamo Minsk. Mosalev scored the next goal on November 11 against CSKA, and this goal brought victory to Yaroslavl. At the end of November, the striker received another injury, due to which he missed almost a month, returning to duty on December 20 and making a goal against HC Sochi. Over the next seven meetings, Denis scored one goal at the Avangard goal on January 7, and missed the second half of the month due to illness. For the third time this season, having missed part of the regular season for medical reasons, Denis Mosalev managed to recover quickly enough, but it turned out to be more difficult to return to his previous condition, so he did not score a single point until the end of the regular season. In 45 regular season matches Mosalev scored 11 (8 + 3) points, with an average playing time of 14 minutes, 27 power moves and 15 blocked shots. In the playoffs, he took part in 10 meetings, scored one goal. Together with his teammates Denis Mosalev became the bronze medalist of the Russian Championship.

Season 2015/16:

Denis Mosalev stood out in the preseason matches for Lokomotiv, and his official debut with the railroad turned out to be very convincing - in the very first match of the regular season Denis took part in both goals of Yaroslavl against Torpedo, gaining 2 (1+ 1) a point. At the same time, Mosalev played 19 minutes, which was the greatest indicator for him for a long time. Basically, the 54th number of "Lokomotiv" acted in the second and third levels, periodically appeared in one of the special brigades of the majority. In mid-September, Denis distinguished himself in two matches in a row, and his puck against Metallurg Magnitogorsk was victorious. Mosalev scored on October 3 important goal Moscow Dynamo, and later in the second month of autumn scored three more times, including by scoring the winning goal in the penultimate minute of the away match with Vityaz. On November 19, Denis scored three goals against Avtomobilist, becoming the only Lokomotiv player who managed to score a hat-trick during the season. In the same meeting, he scored his second goal in the minority, and by the end of the regular season, Denis Mosalev had three such goals. In mid-December, Mosalev scored in three matches in a row, and he also distinguished himself in two final meetings of the regular season. Denis played in 59 regular season games, scored 18 goals and made 9 assists, becoming the second in the list of snipers and the fourth in the Lokomotiv scorers' dispute. Also, the striker had a good utility indicator ("+18"), and this with a relatively modest average playing time of 15 minutes. Mosalev spent only a small part of the season in the shock troika of the railroad workers. The striker also used 34 power moves, blocked 23 shots, and violated the rules 12 times. In the playoffs, the forward scored the first goal of the Yaroslavl team, but did not score more points in that series of the first round.

Career:

As a child, he moved with his family to Magnitogorsk, became interested in hockey thanks to his uncle, who also played this sport. Came to Metallurg's section, where Yuri Tukaserov became his first coach. As a child, he played for the same team with his peers - Yevgeny Malkin and Nikolai Kulemin, under the leadership of Andrey Shayanov, the Metallurg-86 team twice won the Russian Championship among youths - in 2001 and 2002.

Denis spent the 2003/2004 season in the second team of Magnitogorsk, playing in the Ural-Western Siberia division of the First League. Then the 17-year-old Mosalev became the team's top scorer, gaining 52 (24 + 28) points in 56 matches. According to the results of the regular season, Metallurg -2 took the third place in its division, the third place was also taken by the results of the tournament with the participation of six strongest teams division.

The 2004/2005 season for Denis Mosalev turned out to be practically the same as the previous one: for the second year in a row, he became the top scorer of Metallurg -2, now gaining 61 (29 + 32) points in 66 meetings, following the results of the regular season his team took second place in the regular championship of the Ural - Western Siberia division. Before the next season, it was clear that the young striker was ready to move to a new level, but immediately get into main team He did not succeed in Magnitogorsk. After four meetings for the farm club, he was loaned to the Major League team Energia from Kemerovo. As a result, he spent the entire season there, played 43 matches, scored 13 (4 + 9) points. According to the results of the regular season, his team took seventh place, and then lost in the five-match series of the first round to Neftyanik Almetyevsk. Mosalev scored one goal in the playoffs.

Denis Mosalev was preparing for the 2006/2007 season together with Metallurg under the leadership of Dave King, and was included in the team's squad as one of the youngest players. He made his debut in the Super League in 13 matches, scored six points in them. He chalked up exactly half of the points for performance to his own account following the results of the home meeting with Wings of the Soviets, which took place on December 3. Then, in the first period, he made a pass, and in four minutes during the second game segment he made a double. Those goals were the first for him in the main team of Metallurg. That year, "Magnitka" won the Championship, together with the team, Denis Mosalev became the owner of the gold medal.

In the summer of 2007, Denis decided to go to the HC MVD, signing a contract with the team, which just before that season changed its registration for the second time and began to be based in Balashikha, near Moscow. At the same time, a farm club was created, which received a place in the First League, and Mosalev spent the season between the main team and the farm. Now he played 23 matches in the Super League, scored 2 (1 + 1) points, with a utility of "-4" and 16 penalty minutes. But in HC MVD-2, he was one of the leaders, despite the fact that he played only 17 matches. During this time, Mosalev managed to score 12 goals and add 17 assists to them.

Before the first KHLovsky season, Oleg Znarok came to the post of head coach of the HC MVD, and at the start of the season Denis Mosalev was included in the application for most games, although out of the first eight he spent more than ten minutes on the ice in only four. On September 15, in a duel against Dynamo Moscow, which ended with the defeat of the Balashikha team with a score of 2: 3, he managed to earn a +2 utility indicator, and scored the first goal in the KHL on September 29 in a duel against Avangard, however, then the HC MVD suffered defeat with a score of 4: 7. In early October, he was injured, because of which he was forced to miss two months, the recovery took place in the farm club, where in 10 matches he scored 18 (5 + 13) points. After returning to the HC MVD Mosalev took some time to return to the previous level, and if before 2009 he had 2 (2 + 0) points, then in the final two months of the regular season he scored the same two goals. but added four assists to them, and on February 21, in a meeting with Vityaz, he scored 2 (1 + 1) points for the first time in a KHL match. It is worth noting that at the end of the regular season, the striker already spent more than 10 minutes on the ice on a regular basis, took part in 24 meetings, scored 8 (4 + 4) points, with a usefulness of "+3" and eight penalty minutes. That season, the HC MVD remained outside the playoffs, finishing 18th in the regular season.

But in the 2009/2010 season, the Moscow Region club became a real discovery. Already at the start of the season, the "police" won several high-profile victories, confidently settling in the playoff zone. Mosalev himself spent ten matches in the first month and a half of the regular season, scoring four goals in them. Over the next month, his performance declined, he made only one pass, but coaching staff continued to trust the player, and on November 15, in a duel against Siberia, Denis scored 3 (1 + 2) points, and in November he scored in two matches in a row, hitting the gates of Riga and Moscow Dynamo. Then Mosalev again could not distinguish himself for a month, and the next surge in performance came in mid-January, when he scored three goals in four matches. In total, the forward took part in 50 matches, scored 12 goals, made 10 assists, with a usefulness of "+13" and 16 penalty minutes. According to the results of the regular season, HC MVD quite unexpectedly took second place in the Western conference, and in the playoffs it even reached the final, where it lost to Ak Bars only in the seventh match. Mosalev scored a double against CSKA in the second meeting of the first round, his goals brought victory to Balashikha, then scored a goal in the first match against Dynamo Riga, and his next points fell on victorious matches for the HC MVD in the final. In total, in the playoffs, the forward scored 6 (3 + 3) points, with a neutral utility and 12 penalty minutes. His average playing time was not much longer than during the regular season, while in the second match of the series with Lokomotiv he spent more than 20 minutes on the ice for the first time. At the end of the season, Denis Mosalev, together with his teammates, became the silver medalist of the Russian Championship.

Before the next season, the HC MVD actually ceased to exist, a new united club was formed on the basis of Dynamo Moscow. Mosalev, like almost all the hockey players of the Balashikha team, moved to the camp of the "blue and white". The start of the regular season turned out to be very good for Denis: on September 25, in a home match against Avangard, he scored a hat-trick for the first time in his career. the highest level... True, after this event he had seven matches without scored points, but then he set another new achievement for himself, scoring six goals in eight matches, including distinguished himself in those games in a row. After the November pause in the regular season, Mosalev was gaining two (1 + 1) points in two games in a row. Already in the second part of the regular season, he missed a number of meetings due to injury, played in 44 matches in total, scored 24 (15 + 9) points, becoming the best sniper"Dynamo". It was possible to note a high percentage of the implementation of throws (20), a consistently positive indicator of utility ("+3"), as well as a consistently small number of penalty minutes (10). According to the results of the regular season, Dynamo Moscow took second place in the Western Conference, and in the first round of the playoffs quite unexpectedly lost to their Riga teammates. Mosalev took part in four meetings of the second stage of the championship, scoring one goal.

It seemed that the next season would allow Denis to reach a new level, however, injuries intervened very inappropriately, the regular season turned out to be crumpled, according to the forward himself, there was a lack of confidence in his abilities, he took part in 26 regular season matches, scored 8 (3 +5) points, with a utility index of "+3" and a 12 minute penalty. But he managed to recover and come up in good condition to the start of the playoffs. The role of Mosalev in Dynamo's game was difficult to overestimate, and the forward came to the fore in kick-off match semifinal series against SKA: during the third period, Dynamo were losing by two goals, and it was Denis Mosalev's double that turned the meeting into overtime, in the 11th minute of which he brought Dynamo victory with his third goal. After that, the "blue-white" won three more matches against the "army", and in the seven-match final series they beat Avangard, becoming the owners of the Gagarin Cup. In 19 games of the playoffs Mosalev scored 7 (5 + 2) points, with a usefulness of "+4" and a two-minute penalty.

Despite the fact that Denis Mosalev missed a lot fewer matches in the next season and was considered one of the key players of Dynamo, by the end of the regular season, the striker had the same 8 (3 + 5) points in 41 games, with a “+ 2 "and a 15 minute penalty. However, Mosalev again managed to get in good shape for the main matches of the season, showing a stable play in the playoffs, in 19 matches of which he scored two goals and added three assists to them, one of the assistant points fell on the overtime of the sixth match of the final series with Traktor ", This goal brought Dynamo the second Gagarin Cup in a row.

After this success, he signed a new contract, remaining in the Moscow team for two more seasons. In the first of them, he managed to return to his level of the sample of the first seasons in the KHL - Denis distinguished himself in every fifth match of the regular season, in 50 meetings he scored 10 goals, adding 11 assists to them and taking eighth place in the list top scorers"Blue and white". During the regular season, he averaged two points per game three times, earning a +4 utility score with a 25 penalty minute. In the playoffs, Mosalev took part in three matches of the first round, did not score points.

In the 2014/2015 season, Mosalev also could not do without injuries, due to which he missed a third of the regular season. Nevertheless, during the time that he spent in the "white-blue", Denis managed to issue two doubles, four times scored two or more points per game, and after 43 regular season games he achieved the best indicator of utility during his performance in the KHL - "+14". Mosalev again reached the mark of 20 (11 + 9) points scored, and in the only playoff match he scored two (1 + 1) points.

Achievements:

Bronze medalist of the Championship of Russia (2015, 2017), Winner of the Gagarin Cup (2012, 2013), Champion of Russia (2007, 2012, 2013), Silver medalist of the Championship of Russia (2010), Champion of Russia among youth (2001, 2002)

Already now we can say that forward Denis Mosalev has completely fit into the game model of Yaroslavl Lokomotiv. Before the team's next home games, the railroad striker spoke about his hockey career, playing number and victory in the Gagarin Cup.

Since the 2015/16 season, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl striker

Bronze medalist of the Championship of Russia (2015), Winner of the Gagarin Cup (2012, 2013), Champion of Russia (2007, 2012, 2013), Silver medalist of the Championship of Russia (2010), Champion of Russia among youth (2001, 2002)

Denis, how did you get into hockey?

I was born in the city of Kartaly, Chelyabinsk region, but literally a couple of months after my birth, our family moved to Magnitogorsk. As a child, we often played football with the guys in the yard. Once our coach Yuri Tukaserov noticed us and offered to try his hand at hockey. I agreed.

As far as I know, among those guys who came with you to the Metallurg school was Evgeny Malkin.

Yes, then they, together with their brother Denis, also began to play hockey. Zhenya and I grew up together: we went to the same group in kindergarten, and at school they studied in the same class. Then he began to play in 1985, and when special classes were made at the school, our sports tracks diverged.

Was he already standing out among his peers?

Yes, it was not for nothing that at school he played with the guys a year older than himself, and even among them he was one of the best. It was noticeable that he had talent and that he would grow up to be an excellent hockey player. At the same time, Zhenya has always remained and remains a modest and sympathetic person. I can only say the best words about him.

Was there a hockey boom at the Magnitka school at that time?

At first, about 90 people worked with us in the general group, after a couple of years someone left on his own, someone was screened out and we were distributed over the years. First I got into the team born in 1985, and then I started playing for the guys born in 1986.

Did you have any thoughts to quit hockey at that time?

No, I fell in love with hockey and dreamed of becoming a professional player.

Who would you like to be like from the championship “Magnitogorsk” of the late 90s?

Then the team included many cool players: Gomolyako, the Koreshkov brothers, Popov, Gusmanov, Golts, Razin ... The boys and I went to watch their game, took autographs ...

Was Andrei Razin then your agent for some time?

Yes, he helped me in my transfer to the HC MVD, for which I am very grateful to him.

Was it possible to assume that he would become the head coach of the KHL club?

Yes, there were prerequisites. Thank God that everything worked out for him, and now he trains at the highest level. There is a good team in Yekaterinburg now, and I wish him the best of luck.

Let's go back to your period of playing for Magnitka. You got into the team under Dave King, but Fedor Kanareikin brought you into the team.

Everything is correct. I and other guys from the second team then went to the training camp under the leadership of King, but then we were sent back to Metallurg-2. And soon after the resignation of the Canadian coach, many players in the main team fell ill and we were again sent to train with Metallurg. Fyodor Leonidovich then believed in me and began to connect to the main team.

Fedor Leonidovich is now in a difficult situation ...

When we found out about his illness, we decided to help him with the guys from the team, raised funds ... God grant him health, Fyodor Leonidovich good coach and man.

A medal is awarded for winning the Russian championship. Did you get yours?

Yes, although he did not play so many matches then, he was glad and proud that he won gold in his native club.

In 2007, you ended up in the HC MVD, with whom you went all the way to the final of the Gagarin Cup. What, in your opinion, was the phenomenon of this team?

I think it all came together there. Then the team was joined by experienced guys who played and talented youth. This fusion of experience and youth gave the result. Plus, of course, the coach's hand was felt. I repeat, we had a very close-knit team then, and this is what helped to break through to the top. Although, of course, then we were lucky somewhere, we beat teams that were much stronger.

What do you personally remember about the semi-final series against Lokomotiv?

Lokomotiv was the favorite, and we were faced with the task of passing the first round of the playoffs. When we dealt with it, the psychological burden of responsibility dropped, and we played for our pleasure. From the whole confrontation with the Yaroslavl team, I remember the shootout by Alexei Tsvetkov, when he scored winning goal in overtime of the first match of the semifinal series.

Much has been written about Oleg Znark. In short, what is his coaching "trick"?

First, the human attitude towards players, both on the ice and in everyday life. Secondly, he is a man in the very real sense of the word. And thirdly, he is a charismatic person.

In the Moscow Region team and in Dynamo you played with the current Lokomotiv helmsman Alexei Kudashov. Then it was possible to assume that at the end of his playing career, he will become the head coach?

Yes, when we played together, Alexey Nikolaevich often showed us new game schemes during training and general team meetings and explained the game nuances so thoroughly that all that was left was to go out and play.

What's the secret to making good team chemistry?

First of all, in a good team. And when nothing turns out, a real team is able to pull themselves together and, even with poor game content, make a result at the decisive moment.

Where did they take the Gagarin Cup?

After the first victory in the cup, he took the trophy to Magnitogorsk, where it was exhibited at the Metallurg sports school. Then a lot of children came to the meeting, for them, in general, this event was organized. And in the evening the cup moved to my house, where my friends and I had a small party.

What did you think about the day after winning the final?

Even when I came to the dressing room the next day after the victory, I felt devastated. Only then, after a while, did the first joyful emotions appear.

For the last two seasons, the paths of Dynamo and Lokomotiv crossed in the playoffs. What do you remember about the last opposition of the teams and how did the “white-blue” go further?

They were equal teams. I think that Dynamo were lucky in something, scored their goals at the right time, and Curtis Sanford was not as reliable as the year before last. But again, the teams were equal in line-up and play.

You don't know KHL-TV commentator Oleg Mosalev?

(Smiling) No. By the way, many people asked me about him, but this is just a namesake.

Alexey Murygin in an interview with our magazine said that he lives in number one away, because it is better to prepare for matches this way. Do you share a number with someone on trips?

Previously, he shared a room with Daniil Apalkov. Everything was fine, but we have slightly different chronotypes: he goes to bed earlier and sleeps less during the day. On the contrary, I try to go to bed later and sleep longer on the day of the game in order to be in shape for the match. Now we live one at a time, and for me personally, it’s easier for me to prepare for the matches.

At one time in training Lokomotiv practiced the three-on-three format. Can you share your hockey experience with six field hockey on a large court?

We tested this version of the game only in training. I think that with this format, individual skill decides a lot, when a hockey player can drag the puck and beat at least one player. This will be enough to score a goal.

Just yesterday in the NHL match, Alexander Ovechkin succeeded. After all, you played with him and Niklas Backstrom for Dynamo during the lockout. How much does this Washington bunch feel each other on the ice?

It can be seen that they feel each other with their backs. These are great masters: Backstrom gives fantastic passes, Alexander has a throw and crazy speed, together they create problems for any opponent.

Why are you playing at number 54?

I got it in the HC MVD by mistake. Initially, I ordered the 74th, but they did the 54th (laughs). I remember that at first I was a little outraged, and then scored in the next games and generally had a pretty good season. Since then decided nothing in the plan game number do not change.

Are you used to "Arena 2000"?

Of course, there is a hockey atmosphere in Yaroslavl, it is clear that the city lives with hockey. As, by the way, and Magnitogorsk. In Moscow, Dynamo fans are also very loyal, thanks to them for their support. But, unfortunately, the arena in the capital is large and there were no sold-out crowds at the top matches.

Are you recognized on the streets in Yaroslavl?

No, but I don't really go outside, only if I take a walk with my child.

Let's talk a little about your family then. How did you meet your wife?

Evgeny Biryukov and I were in a common company, where we met two friends. Subsequently, these girls became our wives. Now Ksenia and I have a son, Fedor, who is already 4 years old.

Will you send your son to hockey?

He wants to play, he watches the KHL matches with me. We'll put him on skates soon. But we will not insist on the choice, let him decide for himself.

When Fedor watches Lokomotiv matches, does he recognize any of the team's players besides dad?

Of course he finds out, for example, Daniil Apalkov, Yegor Averin. With Yegor's children, he goes to the same group in a kindergarten.

You have a contract with Lokomotiv for 3 years. What goals do you set for yourself at the current stage of your career?

Moreover, you know how it is done?

(smiling) Past victories are already good story... Now I want to win a trophy for Yaroslavl as well.

"MAGNET"

- In early June, you plan to bring the Gagarin Cup to Magnitogorsk.
- This is my idea. First of all, I want to bring him to the nursery hockey school so that the kids can see the main trophy of Russia and. In principle, for their sake. Also show your family and friends what the Gagarin Cup looks like. This event is planned for June 5th. I called Dmitry Pestunov, but he went to rest, so he won't be able to come to Magnitogorsk that day. We'll have one.
First of all, thanks to our coaches who have invested everything in us. This is Sergey Zinov, Andrey Shayanov. Many thanks to them. We can say that they made of us the players, who we are now, both on the ice and in life. We spent most of our time with these coaches, and then with mom, dad and relatives.

- Do you often come to Magnitogorsk?

I really like it here. Many friends, relatives, my wife is also from Magnitogorsk. She also has friends and relatives here. We always come here for a month. Then we'll go somewhere abroad for a couple of weeks to rest. And here with my parents we are resting in nature, I keep fit: I ride artificial ice, I go to the gym, I prepare myself for the season.

- Do you like Moscow?
- There are more job opportunities. More opportunities to spend money ( laughs). It's okay with this life. I grew up in Magnitogorsk. Sometimes you want peace, silence. You don't really notice the crazy pace of life there, because training takes a lot of time. You spend time with your family at home: you go out for a walk, go to the store. You don't notice much fuss. My wife does not work, she is raising a child. Our little son was born, he is seven months old. They called him Fedor. He is completely on her when I am away.

Was your son named Fyodor by chance not in honor of Fyodor Kanareikin, under whom you made your debut in Metallurg at the highest level?
- (Laughs). Well, yes. There is something mystical in this. I just liked the name. And my wife and I agreed. There were other options, but they did not suit her, then me. And the name Fedor suited both. Well, we decided to call our little son that.

- You were given gold medal champion of Russia for the 2006/07 season?
- Yes, they gave me both a ring and a medal, but nowhere it was recorded. To do this, it was necessary to play the required number of matches. But the medal and the ring are kept as a memory.

HC MVD

- Who then pulled you into that Metallurg roster, gave you a chance to gain a foothold in it?
- Fedor Kanareikin. He noticed me when I played for the Metallurg farm club. Before that season I played in Kemerovo, came back, went to the training camp with the first team, and then we were sent to the second team. And he slowly began to involve me: first for training, and then for games. Thank him very much for this trust. You can say he pulled me out.
However, the next season I was told that I could stay, but since many had big contracts, they warned me that there would be little playing time. At the same time, I was released without compensation. For this I am very grateful to them that they let me go without problems. Thus, he ended up in the HC MVD.

- How did the variant with the HC MVD come about?
- At that time, I had an agent Andrei Razin. He was just starting to engage in agency activities. He took several people from our farm club, he himself lived in Moscow. I called and said that there was a specific proposal from the HC MVD. Igor Velichkin and I

there we went. I started playing there. At first, Andrey Khomutov was the coach. I played some matches with him in the first line. He trusted me. But then I got injured, and development did not go. Then the team was headed by Oleg Znarok. Again, I remember, I broke my arm, suffered injuries, did not allow me to play at full strength. There were 25 games per season. He did not shine with particular efficiency. The director of the club, Andrei Safronov, encouraged me constantly, saying that he believed in me.

"DYNAMO" IN PLAY-OFF

You have shipped three SKA pucks that made it possible to win the most important match that series. It was while your most bright moment in your career?
- I think, at this stage of my career, yes. Only the golden goal of the Russian championship can be brighter than this moment. I hadn’t scored for a long time. In the playoffs, those were my first three goals. They inspired me. I don't even know what happened.

- How did the Dynamo management award you later for this feat?
- We do not have that. Yes, everyone praised, they said they were good. But at the same time, everyone said that we need to quickly forget about all this. This is not the finest hour, it will be even better. Moreover, the games went on every other day, and it was necessary to prepare for next game... Of course, these three goals were scored thanks to partners. The whole team worked for this victory.

At what point did you realize then that you could turn the tide of the meeting? Still, we lost hopelessly, agree?
- After the second period we were losing 0: 3. The coaches said that you need to keep playing your game. And not let the opponent understand that we are psychologically broken. In the locker room they were silent, went to the third period: one was scored, the second, the third ... It only added strength, emotions. The whole team started up to such an extent that there was nowhere to retreat.

- How did you prepare for the final with Avangard then?
- The coaches let us watch the Avangard games in the majority and minority to watch, but just before the game. We have never seen the whole matches with Avangard. When the opponents played with Magnitka and Traktor, we had training sessions at that time. I watched one game "Ak Bars" - "Tractor". It was the only game, I never saw any more. I only looked on the Internet goals scored... I think the coaches drew specific conclusions and already the day before they told us what we had to oppose the opponent. And we were shown just a few moments.

- Maybe you final episode broke because they began to play very hard. Is it so?
- Probably. Upon arrival in Omsk, we had a very long meeting. The coaches did not interfere, they just sat, and we were talking purely as players,

how to play, what to fix. We sat for a very long time. It paid off. Everyone had a heart-to-heart talk. Everyone expressed their opinion, from this the drawing of the game was formed, and we began to play according to this scheme. According to my feelings, after 1-3, the burden of responsibility fell off us. There was nothing to lose, and everyone gave their best. We began to play our hockey calmly, without jitters. Fortune also played a role.

After the tragedy with Lokomotiv, when many of the players you know died, isn't it scary to continue flying on airplanes?
- Yes. At first, of course, emotions were overwhelmed. We have to live with it. It's a pity for the guys, the kingdom is heavenly, they were very good people. Now everything has calmed down, but even then, when the plane starts to shake, it becomes scary. Everyone is worried. It used to be calmer.

- Is there any month of the year when it is very difficult for Dynamo hockey players?
- These are the famous training camp in Pinsk. They will also take place this year. It's very hard there. Preparing for the season. It's even scary to think. There will be everything: all kinds of towns, running, Cooper's test, jumping. It's scary to think. But everyone can stand, where to go? Hard mentally and physically. You don't sleep at night because of fatigue, and the next day you have to do the same amount of work. I don't want to think about it. Of course, such preparation bears fruit. Although you cannot go through the entire championship at the peak, there are ups and downs. But still in last years Dynamo plays smoothly.

Dynamo Moscow is such an unusual team, in which the primary role is given to two coaches - Znark and Vitolins. But there is also a third?
- This is Vladimir Fedosov. He is the coach of the defenders, himself from Nizhny Novgorod... Maybe he stays in the shadows a little, but he works a lot with defenders.

In the season before last, Dynamo suffered 11 defeats in a row. Usually, after this, in other teams, coaches, players are changed ...
- There were meetings: they say, it's not worth losing so much. It's funny to remember now. Then, by the way, after the seventh defeat, it was already funny too. There was such a cry of despair. Realistically understood that one should not lose so much, did everything possible. But, then the puck did not go, then offensive goals were scored to us. Well, we were in a decent breakaway from our rivals. We took second place in the conference anyway. This saved us. I am glad that everything ended this way, that everyone remained in their places. You also have to go through this.

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN WITH

games are not cocky. But Mikhail was the captain. And his look towards the arbitrators - it was something. Once I was standing near the side, Mikhail looked at the judge so that he canceled his decision. This is the first time I have seen this in my life and I haven’t seen it yet. Plus, he was always good as a person. His game has always attracted me, I went to Borodulin and wanted to be like him.

- Did you yourself come to hockey, deliberately, or did your parents bring it?
- No, myself. I remember playing football on the block near the 28th school together with the Malkin brothers, Afonin. And Yuri Tukaserov passed by, came up: “Guys, I'm collecting hockey team... Come to study in the section. " Many children came, but many also left afterwards. My friend was interested, but his parents worked hard, so there was no one to take care of him, and he left hockey. My grandmother with a trunk took me to the section all the time. Mom cooked: she washed, ironed the uniform, and grandmother drove. She still watches games. After I play, he calls and asks: "Why didn't you score anything today?" Mom and sister also call, they are interested.

- Have you known Malkin since the age of five?
- Yes. We went to the 146th kindergarten together Always with him in different sport games were playing. Highly good friend childhood. We went to training together. Then they took him to play in the 85th year, because in the 86th he was a cut above everyone else. Here our paths diverged a little. But still we called up, met in the evenings on the block. Were playing. At their own expense, a volleyball net and basketball hoops were installed. We always gathered and held tournaments. It was interesting, of course.

- And then he already showed the makings of a future star?
- At that time, we did not clearly know what the leader was, but in everything he did, whether it was tennis or basketball, hockey or football, he really was the best. Probably, it was given by nature. Even if he didn’t know how to play, then, as soon as he started, everything worked out for him.

Denis Mosalev began his professional career in 2005 as part of the club Major League Kemerovo Energia, having previously played several successful seasons for the farm club of his native Metallurg Magnitogorsk. In the 2006/07 season, Denis made his debut at the base of the “steelmakers”, with whom he became the champion of Russia in the same year. In 2007, Mosalev moved to the Balashikha HC MVD, in which he played for three seasons, gaining 38 (20 + 18) points during this time in 119 played matches, and also becoming a finalist of the Gagarin Cup in 2010, only losing in the final to Kazan Ak Barsu with a score of 3: 4.

After a successful silver season and the disbandment of the Moscow Region club, Denis, like many of his teammates, became a player of the united Moscow Dynamo, in which in the 2010/11 season he scored 25 (16 + 9) points in 48 matches, becoming the team's best sniper. On May 8, 2011 Mosalev extended his agreement with Muscovites, however new season started unsuccessfully for him - in 5 matches he did not score a single point, and on November 1 he was sent to VHL club Balashikha Dynamo. Having spent 3 matches in the Moscow Region club, in which he scored 2 (1 + 1) points, on November 7 he returned to the location of the Muscovites.

Achievements

• Champion of Russia 2007.
• Finalist of the Gagarin Cup 2010.