How does WINNERS Lacrosse impact youth development in DC and Tampa. What are the key principles of the WINNERS program. Why is lacrosse chosen as the vehicle for youth empowerment. How does WINNERS Lacrosse foster life skills beyond the field.
The Mission and Impact of WINNERS Lacrosse
WINNERS Lacrosse stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity for young athletes in the Washington, DC and Tampa metro areas. This 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, established in October 2000, has been tirelessly working to introduce boys and girls aged 5-14 to the exhilarating world of lacrosse. But WINNERS Lacrosse is more than just a sports program; it’s a comprehensive youth development initiative that uses lacrosse as a vehicle to instill valuable life skills and virtues in its participants.
What sets WINNERS Lacrosse apart from other youth sports programs? The organization’s commitment to accessibility is truly remarkable. Thanks to the generous support of donors and sponsors, WINNERS Lacrosse provides all equipment and programming completely free of charge to its participants. This approach ensures that financial barriers do not prevent any child from experiencing the transformative power of sports.
The Rapid Growth of Lacrosse: A Sport on the Rise
Why has WINNERS Lacrosse chosen to focus on this particular sport? The answer lies in the explosive growth and popularity of lacrosse across the United States. Over the past decade, lacrosse has consistently ranked as one of the fastest-growing team sports in the country. Consider these impressive statistics:
- In the last 5 years, both boys’ and girls’ high school lacrosse participation has grown by nearly 30%
- Lacrosse is the fastest-growing sport at the NCAA level
- 42 new collegiate programs began play in 2015 alone, spanning 21 different states
- In 2015, over 800,000 players participated in organized lacrosse teams, marking a 2.2% increase from the previous year
- For 12 consecutive years, the net increase of lacrosse players has exceeded 20,000 annually
This rapid growth extends beyond mere participation numbers. Lacrosse has also seen a significant increase in media exposure, with major networks such as CBS College Sports, ESPN, Fox Sports, the Big Ten Network, PAC12 Network, and the SEC Network now featuring lacrosse programming. This increased visibility further fuels the sport’s popularity and accessibility.
The Unique Appeal of Lacrosse for Youth Development
What makes lacrosse particularly well-suited for youth development programs like WINNERS? The sport’s multifaceted nature is a key factor. Lacrosse combines elements from various popular sports, including soccer, football, baseball/softball, basketball, track & field, and hockey. This diverse skill set makes lacrosse an excellent platform for developing well-rounded athletes and individuals.
The fast-paced, high-scoring nature of lacrosse also contributes to its appeal. This dynamic gameplay keeps young participants engaged and excited, fostering a lifelong love for physical activity and team sports. Moreover, the strategic elements of lacrosse help develop critical thinking skills that are valuable both on and off the field.
The MASTERS Approach: Developing Life Skills Through Lacrosse
At the core of WINNERS Lacrosse’s philosophy is the MASTERS approach, an acronym that encapsulates the key traits and skills the program aims to develop in its young participants. This comprehensive framework ensures that the benefits of participating in WINNERS Lacrosse extend far beyond athletic prowess. Let’s explore each component of the MASTERS approach:
Mentality: Cultivating a Growth Mindset
How does WINNERS Lacrosse foster a positive mentality in its participants? The program emphasizes the importance of hard work, perseverance, and maintaining a positive attitude. Coaches introduce concepts such as meditation and goal-setting, equipping young athletes with tools to develop mental resilience and focus. This mental fortitude serves participants well in all aspects of their lives, from academics to personal relationships.
Sportsmanship: Valuing Fair Play and Respect
In the WINNERS program, success is not solely measured by the scoreboard. How does this approach benefit young athletes? By emphasizing sportsmanship, WINNERS Lacrosse teaches participants to value fair play, respect for opponents, and the importance of gracious winning and losing. These lessons in character development are invaluable for navigating social interactions throughout life.
Effective Communication: Mastering Verbal and Non-Verbal Skills
Communication is a cornerstone of success in lacrosse and in life. WINNERS Lacrosse places a strong emphasis on developing effective communication skills, covering every aspect from introductions to farewells. Importantly, the program also stresses the significance of active listening, recognizing that successful communication is a two-way street.
Smile Always: Fostering Positivity and Resilience
WINNERS Lacrosse encourages its participants to find joy in their activities and to maintain a positive outlook, even in the face of challenges. This “smile always” philosophy helps young athletes develop emotional resilience and a healthy perspective on both success and failure.
Achieve Overall Wellbeing: Promoting Holistic Health
How does WINNERS Lacrosse address the overall wellbeing of its participants? The program takes a holistic approach to health, emphasizing the importance of proper nutrition, hydration, adequate sleep, and balanced technology use. Nutrition specialists often participate in WINNERS programs, teaching young athletes about fueling their bodies for optimal performance both on and off the field.
Take Responsibility: Encouraging Accountability
WINNERS Lacrosse instills a strong sense of personal responsibility in its participants. Young athletes are encouraged to own their mistakes, learn from them, and understand that their success is directly tied to their effort and commitment. This emphasis on accountability extends to practice and game attendance, reinforcing the importance of reliability and dedication.
Respect: The Foundation of Character
Respect forms the bedrock of the WINNERS Lacrosse philosophy. Participants are expected to show respect not only to their teammates and coaches but also to their opponents. This fundamental value of respect, cultivated on the lacrosse field, translates seamlessly into all aspects of the participants’ lives, shaping them into considerate and empathetic individuals.
The Role of Coaches as Mentors in WINNERS Lacrosse
What sets WINNERS Lacrosse coaches apart from those in typical youth sports programs? In the WINNERS ecosystem, coaches play a dual role as both athletic instructors and life mentors. This approach creates a supportive environment where young athletes can develop not only their lacrosse skills but also their character and life skills.
Through positive coaching techniques, WINNERS mentors focus on nurturing essential traits such as:
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Responsibility
- Accountability
- Respect
- Confidence
These qualities, honed on the lacrosse field, become integral parts of the participants’ personalities, influencing their behavior at home, in the classroom, and in their future professional lives. The mentorship provided by WINNERS coaches extends far beyond the confines of lacrosse practice, creating lasting positive impacts on the lives of young athletes.
The Broader Impact of WINNERS Lacrosse on Communities
How does WINNERS Lacrosse contribute to the broader community beyond individual participant development? The program’s impact ripples outward, touching families, schools, and entire neighborhoods. By providing a positive outlet for youth energy and fostering a sense of belonging and purpose, WINNERS Lacrosse helps to create stronger, more cohesive communities.
The program’s focus on underserved neighborhoods in Washington, DC and Tampa is particularly significant. By bringing the sport of lacrosse to areas where it may not have been previously accessible, WINNERS Lacrosse opens up new opportunities for youth who might otherwise have limited exposure to organized sports and the associated benefits.
Furthermore, the life skills and values instilled through the WINNERS program have far-reaching effects. As participants grow and mature, they carry these lessons with them, becoming positive influences in their schools, workplaces, and communities. This creates a virtuous cycle of positive change, with each generation of WINNERS alumni contributing to the betterment of their surroundings.
The Future of WINNERS Lacrosse: Expanding Horizons
As lacrosse continues to grow in popularity across the United States, what does the future hold for WINNERS Lacrosse? The organization is well-positioned to expand its reach and impact in the coming years. Potential areas for growth include:
- Geographical expansion: Bringing the WINNERS model to more cities and regions
- Age group expansion: Developing programs for older teens and young adults
- Partnership development: Collaborating with schools, community centers, and other youth organizations
- Advanced training: Creating pathways for exceptional athletes to pursue collegiate lacrosse opportunities
- Alumni network: Building a strong network of WINNERS graduates to mentor and support current participants
As WINNERS Lacrosse continues to evolve and grow, its core mission remains unchanged: to use the power of sports to transform young lives and build stronger communities. With its proven track record of success and its commitment to accessibility and holistic development, WINNERS Lacrosse is poised to make an even greater impact in the years to come.
Measuring Success: The Long-Term Impact of WINNERS Lacrosse
How does WINNERS Lacrosse measure the success of its programs? While immediate metrics such as participation rates and skill improvement are important, the true measure of the program’s impact lies in the long-term outcomes for its participants. These outcomes can be observed in various aspects of the participants’ lives:
- Academic performance: Many WINNERS participants show improved focus and discipline in their studies
- Career readiness: The life skills developed through the program contribute to future professional success
- Community involvement: WINNERS alumni often become active contributors to their communities
- Personal well-being: Participants develop healthy habits and coping mechanisms that serve them throughout life
- Leadership roles: Many WINNERS graduates go on to take on leadership positions in various fields
By tracking these long-term outcomes, WINNERS Lacrosse can demonstrate the enduring value of its programs and continually refine its approach to maximize its positive impact on young lives. The organization’s commitment to ongoing assessment and improvement ensures that it remains at the forefront of youth development through sports.
In conclusion, WINNERS Lacrosse stands as a shining example of how sports can be used as a powerful tool for positive youth development. By combining the excitement of lacrosse with a comprehensive life skills curriculum, WINNERS Lacrosse is not just creating better athletes – it’s shaping the leaders, innovators, and responsible citizens of tomorrow. As the program continues to grow and evolve, its impact on individuals and communities is sure to multiply, creating a lasting legacy of positive change through the power of sports.
About Us — WINNERS Lacrosse
We make learning and playing lacrosse available in the DC and Tampa metro areas to boys and girls (ages 5-14), in a safe and fun environment for kids to learn and grow!
Furthermore, we assist these boys and girls to help them reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible young men and women.
WINNERS Lacrosse is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that was started in October 2000 to provide Washington, DC boys and girls, from underserved neighborhoods, the opportunity to learn the game of lacrosse and the life skills associated with playing a team sport. Thanks to our generous donors and sponsors, we are able to provide all equipment and programming completely free to our participants!
At WINNERS Lacrosse we believe that sports change lives. WINNERS Lacrosse uses the game as the vehicle to instill values, education and life sustaining skills that will give young boys and girls the tools to be successful on and off the field.
Our clinics, camps, teams and after school programs include these virtues as part of the curriculum.
Why Lacrosse?
While this is an easy question for us, some of you might not know:
For more than a decade, lacrosse has been one of the fastest growing team sports in the country and that trend continued last year.
In the last 5 years, boys’ and girls’ high school lacrosse have each grown by just under 30% (no other sport has grown by over 11%).
Over the last 5 years, lacrosse is also by far the fastest growing sport at the NCAA level.
42 new programs began play in 2015 (in 21 different states), with a 5% increase in total players. From 2014-2016, a total of 115 lacrosse programs have started across the country.
In 2015, over 800,000 players participated in lacrosse on organized teams, an increase of 2.
2% from 2014. More than half of the total players compete at the youth level (age 15 and below), but every segment of the game is showing continued growth patterns.
2015 marked the 12th consecutive year that the net increase of players was over 20,000.
Beyond the sheer participation numbers, lacrosse continues to grow in terms of exposure.
CBS College Sports, ESPN, Fox Sports, the Big Ten Network, PAC12 Network, and the SEC Network are now all carrying lacrosse packages.
2% from 2014. Lacrosse combines skills used in soccer, football, baseball/softball, basketball, track & field, hockey, and almost every sport out there into one fast-paced, high scoring game.
WINNERS keys to being MASTERS in lacrosse and life:
Our coaches serve as mentors for all WINNERS players.
Through positive coaching and mentoring, we teach our boys and girls about teamwork, leadership, responsibility, accountability, respect, and confidence; traits they take home and into the classroom.
We use the acronym MASTERS to show the important characteristics children develop being a part of WINNERS programs.
Mentality
Having a great mentality can lead to huge successes on and off the field. With the right attitude, kids are able to achieve anything they set their mind to. We teach kids in our program to always work hard, and never give up. During this segment, we introduce various concepts like meditation and goal setting!
Sportsmanship
Winning or losing is not the ultimate marker of success or failure to WINNERS. WINNERS kids understand that there’s more to games than the score.
Effective Communication
On both sides of the lacrosse field, communication is key to putting the ball in the back of net or making a defensive stop.
At WINNERS we inform kids on every step of the communication process, from introduction to goodbye. Not only is the ability to communicate taught, but listening is also an integral part of successful communication.
Smile Always
In WINNERS programs and life in general there is always something to smile about! Lacrosse is FUN…mistakes happen, it’s okay, smile anyway!
Achieve Overall Wellbeing
At WINNERS, we emphasize living a healthy and balanced lifestyle. We preach the importance of taking care of one’s body with proper nutrition, hydration, sleep, and taking time away from technology (we all know it’s hard for kids to really be present)! Nutrition specialists will commonly come to programs and teach nutrition in a way that excites our players to properly fuel their bodies!
Take Responsibility
Taking responsibility is one of the most important pieces to success. We want our kids to own their mistakes, and learn how to recover from them.
WINNERS programs stress to our kids that their success is based on how much they put into it. Practice and game attendance is paramount.
Respect
Respect is the most important component to our MASTERS success. WINNERS kids are expected to respect their teammates, opponents, and coaches. The respect learned on the field will be translated into all aspects of human interaction, from the classroom to the home and everywhere in between.
It is the job of our awesome coaches to implement all aspects of our
MASTERS elements to ensure success on and off the lacrosse field. Finally, we would not be able able to do what we do without the help of our generous donors and volunteers!
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I think you have compiled a great staff – they always seem prepared, ready to help, and interacted really well with the players as far as I could tell.
On your end, the organization and weekly emails were super helpful in making sure I was prepared for each session I could attend.— WINNERS Coach
Staff — WINNERS Lacrosse
Score Sheet
FAVORITES:
LACROSSE MEMORY – Winning the ACC Championship in 2001 at the Disney Sports Complex in Florida.
MOVIE – The Dark Knight Rises
TV SHOW – Property Brothers
BOOK – Harry Potter Series
PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS – The Yankees (although his heart is more in college sports with Duke Lacrosse, Duke Basketball, and Alabama Football. Roll Tide!)
FOOD – New York Strip Steak
PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE – Derek Jeter
Matt Breslin
Executive Director
Matt Breslin has been Executive Director of The Washington Inner City Lacrosse Foundation since May 2011.
Matt has coached and worked with lacrosse players of all ages since he graduated from Duke University in 2001. He has coached at the top of the high school game (Gonzaga College High School from 2002-2005) and the college game (assistant coach at Georgetown University in 2010). Matt is also the Executive Director of Bethesda Lacrosse based out of Montgomery County Maryland.
Additionally, Matt has a lacrosse record that makes him emblematic of what WINNERS Lacrosse is all about: being a leader and a good student on and off the field. Matt was an All-American Goalkeeper at Duke University as well as Team Captain in 2001. Matt started in the net for the Blue Devils for 3 years, was part of the All-ACC Tournament Team, an ACC Champion as well as an ACC Academic Honor Roll recipient. Matt finished his career on the field in Major League Lacrosse with the New Jersey Pride. In high school, Matt was New Jersey Player of the Year in 1997 and led his team to 2 state championships with a national ranking of #2 in 1996.
Matt has a twin brother, Jamie, who played football and lacrosse (All-American) at Hobart College and is Associate Athletic Director at Stanford University. Matt married Dorsey Breslin in August 2010, and they have two daughters!
Score Sheet
FAVORITES:
LACROSSE MEMORY – Scoring 8 consecutive goals in a 10-minute span in the second half against Randolph College in 2015 which allowed them to come back and win the game after a five-goal lead, ending the game 14-10.
MOVIE – Brown Sugar
TV SHOW – Sister, Sister
BOOK – Girl Boss by Sophia Amoruso
PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS – The Lakers and Cowboys
FOOD – Blue Crabs
PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE – Serena Williams
Zhané Ruffin
Director of Communications and Operations
Zhané Ruffin is the Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC).
Prior to accepting the position, Ruffin served as a volunteer coach with the program for one year and immediately fell in love with the program’s mission and vision.
Furthermore, Ruffin has a history of involvement with youth sports and working with non-profit organizations. In 2014, Ruffin was a Program Instructor at One Love Tennis, the Lenny Simpson Tennis and Education Fund. The mission of One Love is to provide a year-round tennis program to at-risk youth that provides tennis instruction and academic support in the Greater Wilmington, North Carolina area.
Zhané Ruffin obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Sport Management from Methodist University in 2016. While attending Methodist, Ruffin was a four-year starting attacker for the Monarchs, four-time Scholar-Athlete maintaining a 3.0 GPA or higher and three-time USA South All Sportsmanship Team Award Recipient. Her academic accolades include receiving the Wenda D. Johnson Leadership Award and a two-time recipient of the Coach Larry Kirchner Gold Medal Award in Sport Management.
In December of 2017, Ruffin obtained her Masters of Professional Studies in Sports Industry Management with a concentration in Business, Management, and Operations from Georgetown University.
Zhané is excited to continue her with work the WINNERS participants, parents, and partners this year and in the years to come!
Score Sheet
FAVORITES:
LACROSSE MEMORY – Coaches vs players games at the end of every season!
MOVIE – Fool’s Gold
TV SHOW – Car Masters or Space Force (depends on the day)
BOOK – The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
SPORTS TEAM – Boston Bruins
FOOD – Peanut butter
ATHLETE – Naomi Osaka (at the moment)
Mady Doud
Tampa Program Director
Mady Doud joined the WINNERS Lacrosse team as the Program Director in Tampa, FL in September of 2021.
Prior to her joining the team, Doud worked as a Program Director and for a local youth lacrosse organization, the Coyotes, based in Fishhawk, FL.
Doud has been involved with lacrosse as a player, mentor and coach since she first started in her middle school years. She began volunteer coaching for her hometown youth teams while playing in high school and quickly found a passion for mentoring, both on and off the field. Doud has worked in various coaching, volunteering and childcare settings and is committed to giving back to her local community through organizations such as Relay for Life and Feeding Tampa Bay.
Doud graduated from the University of Tampa with a Bachelor’s Degree in Entrepreneurship in the Spring of 2020. During her time attending, she started coaching with a nearby youth lacrosse organization. While refining her love of the sport and passion for coaching, she was offered the opportunity to work alongside staple members of the local lacrosse community to help build the program in the traditional Spring season, as well as develop off season programming.
While working with this club and adjacent organizations, she developed a well-rounded coaching philosophy based on building self esteem, inspiring action and recognizing both individual and team results – all qualities she is excited to bring into the Tampa programs.
Mady is not only excited to help introduce the sport to the local communities, but also to help build a safe and fun environment for players to foster their love of athletics while developing life skills to be carried on post-WINNERS Lacrosse.
With whom from the NHL did Michkov communicate? What team would you like to be on? Why did his father scold him? Russian talent answers – June 19, 2023
Sport24 team
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“Cherkas Atlant” visited Matvey.
At the end of last week, a wave of discussions arose in the Russian hockey space about the personal qualities of the striker, who should become the first Russian choice in the next draft in Nashville.
The Cherkas Atlant project team met with Michkov in Sochi at the end of March and recently released a story about that trip.
Please note that the conversation with one of the most talented Russian juniors took place before the tragic events in his family – in April, the striker’s father died.
***
The hottest topic of recent days is that Michkov did not communicate well with NHL team scouts. This is how he described contacts with representatives of North American clubs during the recording of the interview.
– Who contacted, what teams did the scouts call from?
– Chicago, Anaheim. Florida was still there.
— And how did this conversation take place? Did Nikolishin call you from Chicago?
– He seems to be from Washington. And so they ask banal questions: height, weight.
– Seriously? Everything is on the Internet.
— Apparently, they want to know from you. They ask the height and weight of the parents, brother. Down to such trifles. They even asked me what grip I had: right or left. Strange? I don’t know. They asked where you study, with whom you communicate, what your teammates think about you.
Pavel Tabarchuk, photo.khl.ru
***
At that time, the results of the draft lottery were not yet known, according to which the first choice went to Chicago. Hardly anyone has any doubts that the top 1 will be Connor Bedard.
– I like Chicago, I would like to be there. I haven’t been to the city itself, but I know how hockey is loved there.
***
Thoughts on the draft. Is it the most important event in life?
– One of the most important events. There is no excitement. Everything that was required of me – everything was done. I understood that I needed to give my best in every tournament in order to be more noticeable, so that more people would talk.
Now the season is over, nothing depends on me. Depends on those people who will choose. Have I done everything? Maybe yes. But you always want to progress further. Not everything depended on me. Some tournaments were missed for political reasons. I did the best I could. Next – come what may. First, second or third, it doesn’t matter. The main thing is that the team should fit in style, in organization, and they would have a desire to get a hockey player and give him the opportunity to play.
— Do you follow the pre-draft ratings?
– Not that I’m following. They probably give me more. Different ratings from different people. What should I worry about now? Beyond the draft, there is life to think about.
iihf.com
***
Michkov went to school later than his peers, and he himself considers this moment one of the defining moments for his future career.
– Since my birthday is in December, I was told that I could go a year later. And we decided that it would be better that way.
While everyone was studying, he was concentrated on hockey, he trained twice as much as the others. Since the guys went to school after training, and I just had training after training. I just didn’t leave the ice. But the next year I went to school. I think it was a pivotal year. I skated from 2004, 2005, 2002, 2001, that is, I could easily have four ice a day plus training with goalkeepers.
– Did the guards kick you off the ice?
– At an early age, this was not felt as much as it would be felt now.
***
About the role of a father.
– We lived in Kungur, went to training in Perm, if the training was at 8, then we got up much earlier to get there. Drive plus or minus two hours. Dad took me to every workout. During the year, these hundred kilometers traveled to the skating rink, since there was no apartment in Perm yet. While driving, I slept in the back seat, and my dad was driving. Then the parents decided that they needed to buy an apartment in Perm.
– And already at the age of 9 they moved to Yaroslavl.
– Dad moved with me all the time, but my mother was always there, she came with her brother, wherever we were. She always prepared meals for us so that we always had order and cleanliness at home.
My parents believed in me very much, and I am very grateful to them. Everything [I have achieved] is thanks to my parents and family. I think every parent believes in their son, but mine believed very strongly. And they still believe.
social networks
***
After Lokomotiv, Michkov moved to SKA, but it seems that he is still worried that he did not part with the team very nicely. Recall that in one of the interviews he said: players are marinated in Lokomotiv.
– Did you ever get an interview for that interview?
— Yes, it happened. From parents. Indeed, at some points he said absolutely the wrong things. And he said, but in fact he didn’t think so, but for some reason he spoke, and only now I understand that I was wrong about this.
I think it happened due to age. There are moments that I regret a little.
– Which ones?
— There were moments.
– Kolis. Yet everyone read it. Probably, when did he speak about Yaroslavl?
– Yes, there I no longer thought so, but the journalist set fire to those things. I myself think that Yaroslavl is an excellent school, an excellent organization. Without her, I wouldn’t be who I am. There they gave me a lot in terms of growth.
– Did they take offense at you in Yaroslavl? Did they say something?
— No. Then he realized that it was necessary differently, somehow differently. I am really very grateful to Lokomotiv. There were all conditions for development. Only positive memories and emotions. We can say that it pulls there. When you arrive, all people are clean and honest. My best friend lives there.
teamrussia.pro
***
During the season, the head of SKA Roman Rotenberg repeatedly blamed Michkova for his physical readiness, adding that at his age Kirill Kaprizov constantly trained.
How this fact adjusted Matvey’s plans for the summer.
— I will do my best not just to lie on the couch at home, but to engage in outdoor activities: tennis, throw a ball at basketball. Otherwise, you will go out on the ice, and it will be very difficult for you. I will ride, go to the gym and keep myself in shape. To be ready for the next season even better than now. During the holidays I will work individually.
There is always self-discipline in the season. If you are too lazy somewhere, it can be deplorable for you and for the team. When you came to the first team [of the system], you understand that the price of a mistake is much higher than in children’s or youth hockey.
***
Michkov told who and how in Sochi influenced his worldview.
– There are people who told me how to act in this or that situation. Those who have already experienced this, who have gone through this. I talked a lot with the team captain Donat Stalnov. He told me how and in what situations it is better to behave.
Pointed me in the right direction a little bit in terms of life outside of hockey. Hockey is understandable, important, but life [off the ice] is also an important factor, I think. Everything is transferred to the ice. Therefore, we must do the right thing everywhere, both in hockey and in life. Everywhere you need to do the right thing and do your job honestly.
Vladimir Bezzubov, photo.khl.ru
***
In Sochi, the hockey player also revised his behavior inside the dressing room.
– With age, you begin to understand some things better. Began to behave more correctly in the team. At least try and work on it. I was advised how best to proceed. I watched how other players behave. When I came to the senior team, I began to exclude those things that I did in the junior teams.
– Which ones?
– Fights with nothing.
– In the locker room?
– No, on ice.
– Do you mean with rivals?
– No, with my own.
***
Michkov also touched upon the theme of individualism.
– When I went to the tournament, there was always a task for the team to take first place and become the top scorer. It has always been in the blood. I always wanted this, and in most cases it turned out to be achieved. But if you become the top scorer, and the team is second, then, of course, it is terribly unpleasant. At the same time, you see that you are the best scorer, you think: “It seems good,” but the team is in second place, and you feel uncomfortable. When both the first place and the top scorer, you understand for yourself that the goal has been achieved, and you calmly prepare for the next tournament. I don’t know what I would have chosen before, but now, with age, of course, I choose so that the team comes first.
– It was said that at school you often played shifts.
– Many coaches understood that I wanted to score, I had a great desire. “That’s good,” they said, “but you still need to observe team shifts, command mode.
” Dad scolded me very much for replaying shifts. He said that against the background of fatigue, it would turn out worse. He always explained that it would be better for both the team and you when you were fresh.
– Partners were not offended?
– Actually, I think it happened. Probably unpleasant. But I’m not from evil, unintentionally. Somewhere he flirted, entered into courage and it was unstoppable. If this happened, then it happened, he approached and apologized to his partners for having outplayed the shifts.
fhr.ru
***
Last August, as captain of the Russian U25 team in Sochi, Michkov was seriously injured in a much-discussed clash with Alexei Emelin.
– After an injury at the pre-season tournament, I was sent to the VHL. It was a great experience for me. Game with men. In the first matches, I really wanted to score, to help the team. Moreover, I haven’t played for a long time, I have everything accumulated. It sat in my heart that we should return as soon as possible, start scoring, winning.
I really missed team brewing. The VHL is good hockey, grown-up guys, everyone plays very hard. And Emelin, when he met me very harshly, and in the VHL they also beat me. It was unpleasant, but nothing should stop you. You have to be ready for everything. Now this is my experience, what is behind me. You look at some situations differently, you already understand that somewhere you need to play differently than you played before. VHL is also my certain stage, for which I am not ashamed
– Became tougher after the VHL and the case with Emelin?
– If it is necessary, if the coach has given the instruction that it is necessary to play harder, then I will play harder. If the coach says: “Come out and do what you can,” I will do what I can. You need to be able to play different hockey and be ready for anything.
– Ready to fight on the ice?
— This has been the case since childhood. This is character. If I need to fight, then whoever [the opponent] is, I will fight for a teammate.
If necessary, I will lie down under the puck. It does not depend on strength, but on the soul and character.
– What impact did the moment with Emelin have?
– This is hockey. This could happen both at the youth level and at the junior level. There was no intention on his part. I don’t hold any grudges in any way. On the contrary, I am grateful to him for this experience. It was a difficult, unpleasant recovery, a period without hockey, but, thank God, everything is in the past. I just understood that I needed to recover as soon as possible and work harder. Every day I went to the gym, every day I worked. Even more than before. On the contrary, this episode gave me great motivation: you must be ready for anything, nothing should break you, break your desires and dreams. No matter how much anyone wants to play badly against you, you must … You see the goal – crash, but achieve it.
***
But Michkov is famous, of course, not for his toughness, but for his highest skill.
Including lacrosse goals.
– This came at the age of 14-15, when I was still playing for Yaroslavl. The first time I succeeded was at the final of the Russian Championship, the team we played against was not very strong: I think they won 30:0. Those guys were just starting their hockey career…
– After this, you can finish.
– No, no. And then I scored the first lacrosse, and then somehow it went on knurled. I brought [this element] to the point where it started to turn out automatically and every time it gets easier and easier.
– What do goalkeepers say at such moments?
– I don’t even know. It’s just that when I’m behind the net and there’s an opportunity, it’s the fastest way to score a goal. And nothing more. These are not show-offs, nothing like that, just the shortest way is to score a goal. For the sake of this, you go on the ice: to score, not to miss, and the team wins.
– Where did you see it for the first time?
— When Granlund scored against our team at the World Cup, when Konstantin Barulin was at the gate (Episode of the semi-finals of the World Cup – 2011 Russia – Finland – Sport24) .
From that moment I saw that it was possible to score like that. Probably everyone saw it. And then I just started trying in training. It turned out every other time, but with age, with confidence, everything got better and better.
photo.khl.ru
***
Michkov’s haters accuse the guy of foppishness. The striker assured that life has taught him to be more modest.
— There must have been such moments. It happens that one game on a good note finished, scored, back and forth. When you go to the next one with such an attitude, it usually doesn’t work out very well. It is better to be more restrained, more modest and just do your job, without any foppishness, without high opinion of yourself.
***
The desire to always win.
— As a child, I often experienced defeats. But, thank God, I was in those teams that very rarely lost and for us it was a defeat … I don’t even know what it is. That’s why I rarely get sad.
– But Sochi is not the most winning club.
– I was very worried. I just understood that I needed to work harder to break an unsuccessful streak. I think I was not the only one worried, many understood that we had too many defeats. Everyone wanted to win, and thanks to the team spirit, I think we managed to find a team rhythm at the end of the season. We had enough victories, and we played on a par with top-level teams, but we are still moving towards this.
– Who helps unload?
– There is a psychologist I can call after unsuccessful games. She calms me all the time, and even in front of her at some moments I feel uncomfortable. It seems like I complain all the time. Therefore, I try to process everything in myself and remember the words that the psychologist said to me earlier in one of our conversations.
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