How will the Premier Lacrosse League’s shift to city-based teams impact the sport’s growth. What opportunities does this create for teams and players. Which cities are likely to become new homes for PLL franchises.
The Premier Lacrosse League’s Major Announcement: City-Based Teams Coming in 2024
In a groundbreaking development for professional lacrosse, the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) has announced that starting in 2024, all eight of its teams will be assigned to home cities. This marks a significant shift from the league’s current touring model, though elements of that approach will remain. Each weekend of play will still be hosted by home teams, with those teams playing doubleheaders in their respective cities.
This move has been anticipated by many followers of the sport, as it aligns with the natural progression of a growing professional league. The PLL’s decision to transition to city-based teams opens up a world of possibilities for the sport’s expansion and deepening connections with local communities.
The Evolution of the PLL: From Touring Model to City-Based Franchises
Since its inception, the PLL has operated under a tour-based model. This approach offered several advantages:
- Flexibility in scheduling
- Ability to test different markets
- Creation of a unique, championship-like atmosphere at each event
- Easier logistical management for venue bookings
The tour-based model allowed the league to create an experience that went beyond just lacrosse games. Each weekend event had the feel of an NCAA Championship, complete with strategic partnerships that enhanced both the on-field and off-field product.
Why is the PLL moving to a city-based model?
The shift to city-based teams represents a natural evolution for the league and offers several benefits:
- Opportunity to build local fan bases
- Potential for local sponsorships and partnerships
- Ability to run youth camps and community programs
- Players can establish home bases and build their personal brands
- Increased media coverage and local interest
Potential Home Cities for PLL Teams: A Speculative Look
As the PLL prepares to assign home cities to its teams, speculation is rife about which locations might be chosen. Here’s a look at some potential destinations and the teams that might call them home:
Baltimore: The Likely Home of the Whipsnakes
Baltimore stands out as an almost certain choice for a PLL team, likely the Whipsnakes. Why is Baltimore such a strong contender?
- Rich lacrosse history and passionate fan base
- Often referred to as the “Lacrosse Capital of the United States”
- Home to Homewood Field, which has hosted multiple PLL events
- Site of the PLL’s first sell-out event
Denver: A Potential Home for the Archers
Denver emerges as another strong candidate for a PLL team, possibly the Archers. The city’s lacrosse credentials include:
- Strong lacrosse community with high participation rates
- Successful market in the former Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
- Proven ability to sustain an outdoor lacrosse team
- Potential for the return of the “Outlaws” brand
New England: The Cannons’ Likely Landing Spot
The New England region presents an exciting opportunity for the PLL, with the Cannons as a potential resident team. What makes New England attractive?
- Vibrant sports culture with a history of supporting professional teams
- Considerable lacrosse following
- Proximity to prominent collegiate lacrosse programs
- Multiple potential host locations (Boston, Fairfield, Hartford)
New York: A Prime Location for the Chrome
New York stands out as a prime location for a PLL team, with the Chrome as a potential fit. The region’s lacrosse credentials are impressive:
- Strong lacrosse tradition in both Upstate and Downstate areas
- High concentration of talented youth players
- Competitive high school programs
- Passionate lacrosse community with fierce rivalries
The New York location offers multiple potential host sites, including Casey Stadium in Albany, Shuart Stadium at Hofstra, and Red Bull Arena in New Jersey. This flexibility could allow for regular-season games in one location and playoff events in another.
Los Angeles: The Redwoods’ West Coast Home?
Los Angeles emerges as a strong contender for a PLL team, possibly the Redwoods. Why does LA make sense for the league?
- Has been a regular stop on the PLL tour
- Proximity to league offices on the West Coast
- Growing lacrosse scene at the youth level
- Potential to tap into a large, diverse market
Dallas: A Potential Southern Hub for the Atlas
Dallas presents an intriguing option for a PLL team, with the Atlas as a possible fit. What makes Dallas an attractive location?
- Emerging market for lacrosse over the past decade
- Significant growth of the sport in Texas
- Proven success as a host site for PLL events
- Passionate fan base that supports professional sports
The Impact of City-Based Teams on the PLL and Lacrosse
The transition to city-based teams represents a significant milestone in the evolution of the Premier Lacrosse League. This move has the potential to reshape the landscape of professional lacrosse in several ways:
How will city-based teams affect player development and recruitment?
With teams based in specific cities, we may see an increased focus on local talent development. Teams could establish youth academies and forge stronger connections with nearby high schools and colleges, creating a pipeline for future professional players. This localized approach could lead to fiercer rivalries and a deeper sense of team identity.
What economic impact can cities expect from hosting PLL teams?
Hosting a professional lacrosse team can bring significant economic benefits to a city. These may include:
- Increased tourism during home game weekends
- Job creation in various sectors (sports management, hospitality, etc.)
- Boost to local businesses, especially those near the venue
- Potential for infrastructure improvements
How might the media landscape change with city-based teams?
The shift to city-based teams could lead to more localized media coverage, potentially including:
- Dedicated beat reporters for each team
- Local TV and radio broadcasts
- Increased social media engagement at the local level
- More in-depth coverage of player personalities and community involvement
The Future of the PLL: Balancing Local Roots and National Appeal
As the PLL transitions to a city-based model, it faces the challenge of maintaining its national appeal while fostering strong local connections. This balancing act will be crucial for the league’s long-term success and the growth of lacrosse as a professional sport.
How can the PLL maintain its innovative spirit with city-based teams?
The PLL has built its reputation on innovation, from its touring model to its media partnerships. As it moves to a more traditional city-based structure, the league will need to find new ways to innovate. This could include:
- Unique fan engagement initiatives at the local level
- Continued experimentation with rules and gameplay formats
- Cutting-edge use of technology in broadcasts and fan experiences
- Creative approaches to community involvement and social responsibility
What role will digital platforms play in connecting fans to city-based teams?
In the age of digital media, the PLL has an opportunity to leverage various platforms to keep fans connected to their local teams and the league as a whole. This could involve:
- Team-specific mobile apps for news, tickets, and exclusive content
- Virtual reality experiences that bring distant fans closer to the action
- Interactive social media campaigns that bridge the gap between players and fans
- Fantasy lacrosse leagues that encourage engagement with all teams
The Potential Return of Classic Lacrosse Brands
With the PLL’s absorption of the Major League Lacrosse (MLL) franchises, there’s potential for the return of beloved team brands. This aspect of the transition to city-based teams adds an exciting layer of nostalgia and continuity to the league’s evolution.
Which classic MLL brands might make a comeback?
While it’s purely speculative at this point, fans might see the return of iconic team names such as:
- Denver Outlaws
- Rochester Rattlers
- Boston Cannons (potentially as the New England Cannons)
- Chesapeake Bayhawks
The reintroduction of these brands could help bridge the gap between long-time lacrosse fans and the new generation of supporters the PLL is cultivating.
How might the return of classic brands impact team identities?
If the PLL decides to revive some of the classic MLL brands, it could have several effects on team identities:
- Instant connection with established fan bases in certain cities
- Opportunity to modernize classic logos and color schemes
- Potential challenges in merging existing PLL team identities with classic brands
- Need for careful marketing to explain team history to new fans
The Global Implications of the PLL’s City-Based Model
While the immediate focus is on establishing teams in U.S. cities, the PLL’s move to a city-based model could have broader implications for the sport of lacrosse globally.
Could the PLL’s model inspire similar leagues in other countries?
As lacrosse continues to grow internationally, other countries might look to the PLL’s evolution as a blueprint for developing their own professional leagues. This could lead to:
- Emergence of professional lacrosse leagues in Canada, England, and Australia
- Increased international player movement and cultural exchange
- Potential for a future “World Cup” of professional lacrosse
- Greater visibility for lacrosse on the global sports stage
How might city-based teams impact lacrosse’s Olympic aspirations?
With lacrosse vying for inclusion in future Olympic Games, the PLL’s move to city-based teams could have significant implications:
- Increased professionalization of the sport may strengthen its Olympic case
- City-based teams could serve as proving grounds for national team talent
- The PLL’s model might influence how Olympic lacrosse is structured
- Greater media attention on lacrosse could boost its global profile
The Role of Data and Analytics in City-Based Team Success
As the PLL transitions to city-based teams, the role of data and analytics in team management and player performance is likely to evolve. This shift could lead to more sophisticated approaches to team building and game strategy.
How might city-based teams leverage local data to improve performance?
With a home base, teams will have access to more consistent local data, which could inform various aspects of their operations:
- Analysis of how weather conditions at the home venue affect play
- Tracking of player performance in relation to travel and rest patterns
- Insights into fan behavior and preferences to enhance game-day experiences
- Optimization of practice schedules based on local factors
What new metrics might emerge in the city-based era of the PLL?
The shift to city-based teams could spur the development of new analytical tools and metrics, such as:
- Home field advantage quantification
- Player performance adjustments based on venue characteristics
- Fan engagement scores that factor in local market size and competition
- Travel fatigue indices for visiting teams
The Environmental Considerations of a City-Based Model
As professional sports leagues face increasing pressure to reduce their carbon footprint, the PLL’s move to a city-based model presents both challenges and opportunities from an environmental perspective.
How might the carbon footprint of the PLL change with city-based teams?
The shift from a touring model to city-based teams will likely alter the league’s environmental impact:
- Reduced overall travel as teams play more games in their home cities
- Potential increase in fan travel to attend away games
- Opportunity to implement sustainable practices at permanent home venues
- Possible partnerships with local environmental organizations in each city
What sustainable initiatives might city-based PLL teams implement?
With established homes, PLL teams could become leaders in sports sustainability:
- Installation of solar panels or other renewable energy sources at venues
- Implementation of comprehensive recycling and composting programs
- Promotion of public transportation or bike-sharing for fans attending games
- Use of eco-friendly materials in team merchandise and stadium concessions
As the Premier Lacrosse League embarks on this new chapter with city-based teams, the potential for growth, innovation, and deeper community connections is immense. The move represents not just a change in structure, but a bold step forward for the sport of lacrosse. From the possible return of classic brands to the development of new analytical tools, the implications of this shift will be far-reaching and transformative. As fans and players alike anticipate the 2024 season, the excitement surrounding the PLL’s evolution is palpable, promising a bright future for professional lacrosse in North America and beyond.
What City Will Each PLL Team Head To?
What seemed like an inevitability move became a reality today. Beginning in 2024, all eight PLL Teams will be assigned to home cities. The league will continue its touring model with weekends hosted by home teams. Those home teams will play a doubleheader for that weekend. This is massive news for the PLL, and based on initial comments from the league, this always seemed like the eventual path that the league would take.
Since its inception, the PLL has operated in a tour-based model, which from a business sense, was a brilliant move. It allowed the league to potentially vet specific areas for a future geographic model while also allowing them flexibility with their scheduling. Having to book one large venue for a single weekend seemed much easier than having to book it 8-10 times throughout the course of the summer and combat the issues that come along with that. The environment created at each location was also something that really seemed to resonate with fans.
The PLL has created an event so much more than just a lacrosse game. Every weekend has an NCAA Championship Weekend vibe to it, and their strategic partnerships have helped create a product both on and off the field that is viable for years to come.
The shift to city-based teams opens up the door for a wealth of opportunities. Teams will be able to start growing a local following through youth camps, local sponsorships, and other programming. It also allows the players themselves to set up a home base and continue to build their brands both locally and nationally.
An interesting caveat to all of this is the potential to see some brands re-emerge in the shift. With the MLL merger, The PLL absorbed the league and with it their franchises which opens the door for the potential return of teams like the Outlaws and Rattlers.
Here are some potential locations that we can see teams landing along with a guess as to which team may end up there.
Baltimore Whipsnakes
Baltimore has a rich history of lacrosse and is often called the “Lacrosse Capital of the United States.
” The city has a passionate lacrosse fan base, and it is home to Homewood Field, which has hosted multiple PLL events and was the first sell-out in league history. Baltimore already has an established lacrosse culture, making it an excellent choice for a team. Baltimore is almost a lock when it comes to PLL cities.
Denver Archers
The return of the Outlaws? Denver is known for its strong lacrosse community and was a thriving market in the MLL. The city has a high participation rate in lacrosse at the youth and collegiate levels, and hosting a professional outdoor lacrosse team in Denver could capitalize on the existing interest. Denver is a phenomenal sports town and has proven to sustain an experienced outdoor squad.
New England Cannons
New England has a vibrant sports culture and a history of supporting professional sports teams. The area has a considerable lacrosse following, with several prominent collegiate lacrosse programs nearby, such as Boston College and Harvard University.
New England’s sports-savvy audience could make it a favorable market for a professional outdoor lacrosse team. An exciting aspect of this is the ability to use multiple site locations such as Boston, MA, Fairfield, CT, and Hartford, CT.
New York Chrome
New York has a strong lacrosse tradition and has produced numerous elite players both Upstate and Downstate. The area boasts a high concentration of talented youth lacrosse players and competitive high school programs. New York is known for its fierce lacrosse rivalries and passionate lacrosse community. Another exciting aspect of this location is they can use multiple locations as host sites. Casey Stadium in Albany and Shuart Stadium at Hofstra have shown they can host and sustain a weekend event. If one place becomes the host city, the other can be a potential landing spot for a playoff weekend. You also cannot count our Red Bull Arena, which has been a host site for years prior. While it is in New Jersey, other New York professional teams have used the New York name and played across the river.
Have you heard of the NY Giants and NY Jets?
Los Angeles Redwoods
The PLL has used LA as a stop in multiple seasons, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see this as a landing spot. There should be a West Coast team with the league offices being on the West Coast. With the emergence of lacrosse on the west coast and its growth at the youth level, Los Angeles makes sense for many reasons.
Dallas Atlas
Another location that has been on the schedule for multiple seasons, Dallas has been an emerging market for lacrosse for the last decade, and the growth in Texas has been phenomenal. It has proven it can be a successful host site with a passionate fanbase that rallies around its professional sports franchises. Dallas makes a lot of sense with the need for a southern footprint.
Columbus Waterdogs
A great location with two facilities that were built with lacrosse specifically in mind.
The Ohio State Lacrosse Facility is a tour stop this summer and has already proven it can sell out multiple games with the Buckeyes, while Fortress Obetz was built for the Machine in the MLL days. Columbus is a great sports town that can really embrace their teams and if marketed correctly can be a huge market for the PLL.
Toronto Chaos
The PLL has ventured across the border and used Ontario as a host site in seasons past, and based on the popularity of the sport with the Canadian people, this location makes complete sense. The Toronto Rock has become a staple in the professional sports community. With so many Canadian players doing so well in the field game, this would be an excellent location for a franchise.
PLL Cities Considered But Not On The List
Seattle, WA
Chicago, IL
Minneapolis, MN
Charlotte, NC
Premier Lacrosse League Returns to Gillette Stadium
FOXBOROUGH, Mass.
– The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) powered by Ticketmaster will return to Gillette Stadium to kick off the 2021 season with an opening five-game slate June 4 through June 6.
“There’s no better location to kick off our 2021 tour than Gillette Stadium,” said PLL Co-Founder and CMO Paul Rabil. “Our inaugural weekend in 2019 was a huge success. The fans in New England are passionate, and the Patriots organization is exceptional.”
The PLL season will begin at Gillette Stadium for the second time, getting underway with a primetime matchup between Cannons LC and Redwoods LC under the lights on Friday, June 4. Saturday’s slate includes a championship rematch between Whipsnakes LC and Chaos LC, followed by Archers LC taking on Atlas LC. On Sunday afternoon, Cannons LC will return to the field against Waterdogs LC, and the weekend will be capped off with a matchup between Chrome LC and Redwoods LC.
The PLL is a tour-based model featuring eight teams and the world’s best lacrosse players.
In addition to being full-time employees and receiving health benefits, players get equity stakes in the league – a first in professional sports. The league recently announced a merger with Major League Lacrosse, leading to the addition of the PLL’s eighth lacrosse club, Cannons LC.
The 2021 PLL season will include 11 tour stops from June to September. For the third consecutive year, PLL games will be distributed via an exclusive media rights agreement with NBC Sports Group with action being shown through a combination of NBC, NBCSN, and Peacock TV.
The PLL played its inaugural weekend at Gillette Stadium in 2019, and had announced plans to open the 2020 season at the home of the six-time Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots and New England Revolution before COVID-19 forced the adjustment of the season to a three-week quarantined and fanless tournament. Gillette Stadium has also hosted five NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championships since 2008 and holds the NCAA Men’s Division I Championship attendance record (2008: 48,970), the top three attendance records for Division I National Championship Games since 2012 (2012: 30,816, 2018: 29,455 and 2017: 28,971) and the top three Division II and Division III National Championship attendance records (2017: 31,560, 2008: 24,317 and 2009: 24,072).
The venue hosted professional lacrosse games in 2015, and was recently awarded the 2025 and 2026 NCAA Men’s and Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championships.
Kraft Group President-International Dan Kraft, who was a collegiate lacrosse goalie for Tufts University in the 1980s and served on the executive Board of the 2018 Federation of International Lacrosse’s World Championships Host Committee, expressed his continued support for the league and its ongoing potential to further grow the sport in the New England region and throughout the country.
“We are thrilled to continue our incredible partnership with Paul and Mike Rabil and the Premier Lacrosse League and once again host the league’s opening weekend at Gillette Stadium this summer,” Kraft said. “We sincerely missed hosting professional lacrosse in 2020 and cannot wait to welcome the world’s best lacrosse players back to Foxborough in 2021 for an exciting opening weekend. We feel Gillette Stadium is the country’s preeminent lacrosse venue and look forward to hosting another world-class event promoting the sport in such a large and passionate lacrosse region.
”
Under the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ reopening plan, Gillette Stadium will safely welcome fans to each game, and tickets are available now for all five games at Ticketmaster.com.
The PLL will work with its venue partners to maintain compliance with local and state governance regarding health and safety best practices. This will include standardized weekend-to-weekend health and safety measures, including but not limited to: seating pods, social distancing, enhanced venue cleaning, mobile ticketing, hand sanitation stations, staff and attendee mask requirements. Similar to the 2020 season, the PLL will be working with a committee of medical professionals to develop health and safety protocols for all players, staff and fans. For more information about the PLL and the 2021 season, visit www.premierlacrosseleague.com.
National Lacrosse League Major League Lacrosse Lacrosse Sticks, professional team, emblem, sports, team png
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05KBJunior Hockey League – “I don’t see the point in banning lacrosse, it’s spectacular.” Sergey Murashov on the title of the best goaltender, his debut in the KHL and his readiness to score
During the past regular season, Sergei “dried out” 11 games, and he was only two games “at 0” short of the league record. In the playoffs, Murashov also showed an impressive result, having passed the Mikhailov Academy and the Spartak MHC together with the team, and lost in the semifinals to the future champion, the Nizhny Novgorod Chaika. The successes of the Yaroslavl goalkeeper were duly appreciated by the league – Sergey was nominated for two awards at once: the best goalkeeper of the season and the MVP of the championship.
In an exclusive interview with the official website of the MHL, Sergei Murashov spoke about the Closing Ceremony of the MHL season, the bronze play-offs, the broken breadcrumbs and psychology.
com/embed/sXufRWApoGU” title=”Сергей Мурашов – Лучший вратарь МХЛ сезона 2022/2023!” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” allowfullscreen=””>
“Watching the play-in, we were looking forward to the start of the “cutting” and the real “steam room” in the playoffs
– Summarize the season.
– The season, like all the previous ones, was not easy and very eventful. If we take the team result, then, of course, we wanted more, Loko had only one goal – the Kharlamov Cup. However, I think bronze is also a good result. We had a decent season, won the regular season, got a good experience in the playoffs. As for the personal goals that I set before the season, I won’t hide it, I didn’t manage to achieve everything. In general, I consider the season productive and I can add it to the asset, because I managed to play in the KHL and become the best goalkeeper in the MHL. I played many games for Loko, but there was a little understatement due to the fact that we did not take the cup.
– How did you react when you were chosen as the best goalkeeper of the JHL?
– It’s very nice! There are a lot of good goalkeepers in the League with great prospects, so I perceive the prize as a motivation to work further. Any personal nomination in the JHL is work for the future, because it will turn out ugly if the player is the leader in the JHL, and then gets lost at the adult level and everyone forgets about him. I’m glad that I was noted. I think I’m moving in the right direction. I have something to strive for.
– What can you say about your competitors for this award – Artemy Pleshkov and Ilya Nabokov?
– These are very good and trained goalkeepers, each of them is great at reading the game. I personally know Ilya Nabokov, he is a cool guy. Artemy is a fast goalkeeper who moves well in the net despite his size. I think that the release of the “Captain” in the “Golden” division is, to a large extent, his merit. Each of us had our own team goals, I did not think that it was necessary to become the best and beat the competition.
In addition to them, there are many more goalkeepers in the MHL who could claim the title of the best.
– You were also nominated for the MVP of the JHL Championship, didn’t you expect to see yourself in two categories at once?
– Yes, it was unexpected. If I was still thinking about the title of the best goalkeeper, then with MVP it was completely unexpected. I found out about this when I saw a notification from the MHL social networks, where I was marked. It was nice to see myself in another nomination, as the title of the most valuable player is also very honorable. This is the award that celebrates not just personal merits, but the contribution to team success.
– How would you rate the JHL Season Closing Ceremony?
– It was cool! It’s a really good event, a lot of familiar faces, it was nice to meet the guys who were also nominated for other awards. Most of all I remember the way we talked and discussed the season. It was fun because everyone told their own stories and jokes.
It was great to listen to stories about matches when we played against each other, to see everything from the other side. Off the ice everyone is friends and communicates well. I myself am familiar with many of the League, so the rivalry is only present on the ice, off it is always interesting communication, jokes and a pleasant vibe.
– The best MHL sniper Alexander Morozov never scored against you this season, did you discuss it with him?
– By the way, we didn’t talk to him about it. Discussed the match on Sakhalin, when he did not score us a bullet, laughed at it. Only then Danya Kolyshev reminded me that Morozov really didn’t score against me, we didn’t focus on this.
– Seagull goalkeeper Lawrence Zinaddin was not among the contenders for the title of the best goalkeeper of the season, what can you say about his game?
– Of course, Lawrence made a huge contribution to the Chaika championship. The team will not win the cup with a bad goalkeeper – this is a well-known truth.
We got to know him closely just recently – at the Future Cup in Minsk. He is a very nice guy, he told me a lot of useful things, I hope that I told him too. First of all, I was fascinated by the fact that for most of the season he was the second goalkeeper, he didn’t play so much, but at the right moment he came out and showed his best game, he was able to help the team win. Lawrence is a good goalkeeper with quick reactions who reads the game well. I hope he succeeds in big hockey.
– The first round of the playoffs against Mikhailov Academy was very tense for Loko, did you expect this?
– To be honest, yes, we expected it. The fact that we entered the playoffs from the first place, and they from the eighth, these are just dry numbers. It’s no secret that the playoffs are already completely different games, everyone goes out and fights to the last, giving all his strength. Not everyone in our team had experience in cup matches, which is why the first round was difficult for us.
Watching the play-in, we were looking forward to the start of the “cutting” and the real “steam room” in the playoffs, as we later said in the locker room (smiles). Mikhailov Academy is a good opponent who plays well on defense. It was not easy, but a victory is a victory. If we passed, then we did everything right.
– After “Spartak” passed the “Red Army”, many experts bet on Muscovites. What helped you get past the red-and-whites so confidently in the quarter-finals?
– After the first round, we got into the rhythm of the game and felt for ourselves what the playoffs are, we started off first of all from our game. Spartak is a good team, where there are a lot of skilful guys, but we were absolutely not afraid of them. Open hockey “Spartak” played into our hands, we felt comfortable in such a game. There were many chances at both gates, we converted ours. Closer to the second round, I already found my game, it was easier, plus regular throws left me in good shape.
– Experienced players from Torpedo, who joined Chaika, played a key role in Nizhny Novgorod’s victory over Loko?
– They rather gave their team a boost. The same Vasya Atanasov – he always smiles, he really enjoys playing hockey. Experienced players helped Chaika, not hindered us. I’m not going to speak for them, Loko had their own difficulties, which, based on the result, we could not cope with. It was interesting to play against the guys from the KHL, on the ice it was felt that they have skill, they make decisions a little faster and see the court better, but just these “slightly”, “a little” and “quite a drop” play a key role in elimination matches.
– What difficulties did Loko face in the semi-finals?
– We have not been able to let go of the responsibility that we have taken on. Loko could have played more relaxed, we needed to perceive the playoffs a little easier. Perhaps we were prevented by pressure against the background of the fact that we were the first team in the regular season and therefore had to take the cup.
In any case, this is a good experience for the future: you need to be able to let go of unnecessary responsibility and just play to win, giving all your strength.
– Did you blame yourself for Loko’s departure, or did you realize that you had done your best?
– Right after the game, of course, it was very disappointing. I sat in the locker room and realized that I could play better. I did not undertake to analyze the matches and the playoffs in general, during the week I tried not to think about it at all. Standing on the ice after the final siren of the third match with Chaika, while no one had arrived yet, I said to myself: “Grey, remember this moment and these feelings, remember them when it will be hard for you to train.” This has become an additional motivation to work further, to strive for those goals that are really important and that you want to achieve. When the emotions from the defeat subsided, I began to analyze the playoffs and the season as a whole, I now speak some points from this analysis in an interview, for example, about responsibility.
He calmly survived this, if you take any failure as an experience, you can achieve a lot in the future.
– You said that in the MHL in the West, hockey is more systemic and mature, while in the East it is more combinational. Judging by the eastern final, did combination hockey prove to be more effective?
– For the first time in many years, we saw the eastern final in the MHL. It is necessary to build on what will happen next: if the eastern finals take place more often, then combination gambling hockey will really prove its effectiveness. If this does not happen, then it is too early to judge that the combinational game of the East is better than the Western systems. In fact, the styles in conferences are not so different as to make loud conclusions that one system works, while the other is outdated and needs to be abandoned.
– You have already spent three seasons in the JHL, during which the Kharlamov Cup has changed three owners. Why do you think Loko’s dominance ended?
– It’s hard to say because I wasn’t on the championship team, I can’t say what they had that we don’t have.
The level of the league has grown, there are more teams that play great and cling to the cup. Also, Loko periodically changes, some ages are stronger, some are a little weaker, the coaching staff is changing. The last time the Kharlamov Cup with Loko was won by Dmitry Ivanovich Krasotkin, who now works in the first team. In no case do I detract from the dignity of the cups that the guys from Loko took before us – they really brought sincere joy to Yaroslavl, it was a great event for everyone. I don’t know what is missing now. Perhaps next year the Kharlamov Cup will be in Yaroslavl, we will work and give all our strength to make it a reality.
“If I get an opportunity to score a goal, I’ll be ready for it”
– You “dry out” 11 regular season games, only two “at 0” games were missing from the MHL record. Upset?
– Before the season there was a goal: to play ten matches “at 0”, it was more important. In general, I didn’t chase the record, I reasoned like this: “It would be cool to beat him, but if it doesn’t work out, it’s okay.
The main thing is team victories. In principle, I didn’t have time to get upset – I had to prepare for the playoffs, think about the cup and elimination games. Maybe it will be possible to break the record next season, maybe someone else will break it. I am absolutely not worried about this, I have my own goals, which I adhere to in the first place.
– Do you remember the matches in which you had a shameful “crackers” break?
– In any case, I try to forget this, because goals conceded are rubbish that needs to be thrown out of my head, but I still remember such matches. We were leading about 6:0 after the second period in the home game against the “Captain”. Moreover, I had a series of three matches “at 0”, and we scored a goal – it was unpleasant. I remember playing at home before the New Year with Wings of the Soviets. We led 1-0 and we were scored in the last minute – a “cracker” broke and the victory in regular time, even though we later won in a series of shots.
I also remember the away game with Spartak, in which we led 2-0, but at the last minute we were thrown by a rebound from our player. No one is to blame, such a combination of circumstances, but there is no “rusk” anymore. There were such matches, but they are all victorious – this is the main thing. It would be much more offensive to miss the puck in the last minutes with the score 0:0.
– Can you say something to the fielder if the puck ricochets off him into the net?
– No, I never have any complaints about the players on the ice. We all do the same thing, if we start yelling and swearing at each other, there will be a circus. If at the moment of a missed puck you can feel some kind of annoyance, then then everyone goes to the face-off, and you switch, the next throw is the most important one. I can only suggest something in the locker room so as not to repeat my mistakes in the future, but in no case do I swear. We are all civilized people, we know how to negotiate, and this is one of the most important skills in a team.
– Did you mention that you want to score a goal, do you practice shooting to the opponent’s goal?
– To be honest, it happens. I can go out five minutes early in front of the goalkeeper’s ice, put 10-15 pucks behind the net and imagine that there is a throw on the board, I stop the puck, turn around and shoot quickly. You need to understand that you have little time in the game, especially since you need to calculate the height at which the puck should fly. I sometimes train shots to the goal, it takes a little time and does not interfere with the training process. If the opportunity presents itself, I will be ready for it.
– What matches of the season do you consider your most successful and unsuccessful?
– In fact, there were quite a few successful games (smiles). I will single out the home matches against Spartak, which we won with a clean sheet, despite a large number of chances at our gates. I will also note the “dry” victories over the “Red Army” and “Dynamo”, these were interesting, principled and very emotional games.
I can’t help but note the away victory in a series of shots over SKA-1946, it was a very tense match: we couldn’t win back for a long time, in the end we equalized, went through a chaotic overtime, in which I received a suspension, and won. If we take unsuccessful matches, I will name the defeat in overtime from Dynamo-Shinnik with a score of 5:6. It turned out to be a very fervent meeting, there were many moments in both directions. Then I missed the most goals in one game of the season. Moreover, there is such an atmosphere in Bobruisk that the stands drive their team and this plays into their hands. I will also name the first playoff match against Mikhailov Academy. I can’t say that it was unsuccessful, but it could have been better. I perceive such meetings primarily as an experience, everything happens for the first time, it’s okay. The main thing is to go to the end no matter what.
– Before the start of the season, you set yourself the goal of working on switching and moving in the goal, how would you rate the work done?
– I did what I wanted, and it gave the result – the brain began to switch to rebounds and finishing moves faster.
I think all the current elements will also need to be improved next season, it would also be useful to work on strengthening the core muscles, add to athleticism and overall strength. I would also like to work on decision-making, to conduct so-called brain training, because it is involved in the game the most – you need to be able to control your body and make the right decisions, while spending a minimum amount of time.
– You’ve already played more than a hundred matches in the JHL, do you still have something to learn here?
– Of course, I would like to go further and take a step forward, to play in adult hockey. I think the result that I show in the JHL will only add to my confidence in this. Nevertheless, in this league there are a lot of good and skillful guys with non-standard solutions, who are not so experienced due to their age, but very playful and interesting with them too. I think that in the MHL I still have a lot to learn. The main thing that I can still learn here is to follow the cup to the end.
The past season showed those weaknesses that prevented us from reaching the main goal.
“The body is an athlete’s tool. How you use it directly affects the result.”
– You made your KHL debut playing against Sochi and conceding one goal. Satisfied with yourself?
– I’m not completely satisfied with myself in that match, but not because of the missed goal. It was simple, I do not argue, but this is not the indicator by which to judge. Even if I played “at 0”, it’s not a fact that this match would be indicative. After leaving the match, I experienced mixed emotions: I was glad that I had finally played in the KHL, because I had been following the games of the adult team since childhood. But I also understood that there are still a lot of subtle points that I need to improve.
– What are some specific moments you would like to share?
– The same switches, you need to make decisions faster. The most important thing is psychology, that match was tense, it was psychologically difficult, in this regard, you can also improve.
And I repeat about athleticism, because the body is an athlete’s tool. How you know how to use it directly affects the result.
– Did you expect a new call to the first team?
– In fact, there was a plan according to which I was supposed to play Kunlun in January, but Lokomotiv had a difficult period then, so it didn’t work out. In February, there was no longer any talk about a call to the KHL, I had matches for Loko, so we didn’t discuss these points. At that time I didn’t think much about the first team, in the MHL I had my own tasks, we went from game to game.
– Does the lack of practice at the senior level affect the goalkeeper’s loss of optimal condition?
– Yes, in any case, you need to be able to rebuild and switch from one hockey to another, but this is a routine and not particularly difficult process that you can prepare for. Moreover, Rashid Davydov, a goalkeeping coach with vast experience, works for Lokomotiv, he helps a lot and suggests nuances that are worth paying attention to.
They just help to move from youth hockey to an adult. This is not an insurmountable obstacle, just a working moment – a matter of practice, time and diligence.
– Did you discuss the possibility of joining the VHL to play at the senior level?
– No, I didn’t consider the VHL this season, because I had a lot of games for Loko. I spent the first full season in a team that plays for the result, because Loko-76 is a younger team, it has less responsibility. Plus, before the season, Rashid Davydov indicated that I would be connected to the first team, so the KHL was not considered.
“Each athlete must first of all develop as a person”
– Igor Shesterkin recently proposed to remove the field for attempting lacrosse, as this is disrespectful to the goalkeeper and his work.
– I don’t know what the disrespect is. In hockey, all means are good, if it does not cause any injuries, why not? I don’t see the point in banning lacrosse, it’s spectacular.
– In the past few years, there have been trends in lacrosse and goalkeeper shots. Have you noticed any trends in goalkeepers?
– The goalkeeper zone is limited to a zone of two by two meters, there are a lot of movements in a small space, you need to understand goalkeeper work in order to mark some bright moments. Now there is no obvious trend, there are just certain nuances in how goalkeepers play when attacking from the corner: someone plays with the skate for the post, someone goes into reverse. The same Igor Shesterkin is great with a stick and plays a lot on exits, everything is individual for everyone, who is more comfortable.
– You said that you are calm about hate. Can you explain why they hate the best goalkeeper of the MHL?
– (laughs) For letting me through. In the season, by the way, there was less negativity, maybe I just spent less time on social networks. It happens that they write after not the most successful matches, insult, ask why I miss so much.
I take everything with a smile, it’s funny to read, such messages do not cause me negative emotions. A hate is rather worse for the hater himself than for the one who is being hated.
– You like to delve into psychology, you know non-verbal language, how did you become interested in this area?
– I became interested in this at the age of 14. I remember I took a book on this topic from my sister, read it and I really liked it. Since then, step by step, book by book, I still read a lot in this area. This is individual for everyone, in addition to hockey in this world there is a lot more. I believe that every athlete should first of all develop as a person, because all top-level people are in sight, regardless of the sport. They have their own face and know how to show themselves in public. It is important to propagate this image of a developed and civilized person. I’m just interested in psychology, it helps to find a common language and understand another person. Even in a team, misunderstandings or conflicts sometimes occur, from which you also need to be able to get out correctly so that everyone is satisfied and gets what they want.
Psychology is useful and interesting, I recommend it to everyone.
– You are the owner of the gold medals of the Youth Olympic Games and the Glinka / Gretzky Cup, which gold is more valuable to you?
– Any call to the national team is important and pleasant, no matter what tournament. When you put on the jersey of the Russian national team with your last name, it’s very nice. The Olympiad and Glinka are the most significant tournaments, which were especially pleasant to win. But even the victory at the recent Future Cup was important in the current conditions. It was great to spend time with the national team, work with coaches and talk to guys from different teams.
– Do you think that the squad that won the YOG and the Glinka/Gretzky Cup would be able to make noise at the World Youth Championships?
– I think so. I don’t know if we will have the opportunity to check it, but if we take the 2004 team, they have not lost a single match from U16 to U18.
This also applies to friendly matches, we won absolutely everything. This is a very strong team, there are a lot of skilful guys in it, I think we would 100% claim gold.
– Name the strongest young goalkeeper right now, not counting you.
– Actually there are a lot of them, I don’t even know who to choose. The same Artemy Pleshkov and Ilya Nabokov, Seryoga Ivanov and Gleb Saranchuk from SKA, Yegor Korzin from Spartak, Pyotr Kochetkov, Ivan Prosvetov, Dmitry Kulikov, who became the best goalkeeper in the VHL. I won’t list them all.
– How are you spending your holidays?
– We finished the national team tournament on May 31, so after the season I didn’t have much rest. Now I am in Turkey, here the sea, mountains, beach, sand, everything is as calm as possible. Sports only in the form of games such as football, volleyball and so on.
Then I plan to return to Yaroslavl, most likely I will go to the village to visit my grandparents, it is very pleasant to visit them every year.
