Roman Voloshenko Interview

Roman Voloshenko is one of the youngest players to skate in Russia’s second professional league, the Upper League. Unlike most of the league’s young players, Voloshenko is an impact player for his club, skating on the Soviet Wings’ second line. Russia’s dynamic Radulov – Yunkov – Voloshenko line has already made a name for itself on the international arena and will do it again at the 2004 U-18 World Junior Championships. The talented winger will undoubtedly be one of the top players from Russia to be picked in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. RussianProspects.com’s Evgeny Belashchenko caught up with Voloshenko on his day off, when the young forward was at his home in Moscow, relaxing after several road games.

"I scored a goal right in my first game!"

Tell us a bit about yourself – where were you born and how did you get into hockey?

R. Voloshenko: I was born in Brest, Belarus. But when I was little, my family moved to Moscow. When I was four years old, I started to play hockey at the Soviet Wings hockey school. I was actually too young at the time, as the school was collecting ’85 players, and there was no ’86 class yet. However, the coach took me on the team, where everyone was a year older than me, and I’ve played with them since my childhood. At 15, I was called up to the big club for the first time during the preseason games. Last season, I already got a chance to play in the Super League for the Soviet Wings. The Soviet Wings were unfortunately relegated out of the Super League, so this season I consistently skate for the club, which now competes in the Upper League.

Were you a forward since the beginning?

R. Voloshenko: Yes, I played on the attack right from the beginning. I scored and passed pretty well.

Do you like any forwards in the NHL or the Super League?

R. Voloshenko: I really like Ilya Kovalchuk’s game, especially since he constantly gets better. On the ice, he plays the same position as me, and that is why at every opportunity I try to observe and learn something from him.

How would you describe your game to readers who know little about you?

R. Voloshenko: I am a two-way player. I can play well on offense, as well as on defense. I believe that this is my main strength.

Which aspects of your game do you believe you need to improve?

R. Voloshenko: I believe that I need to improve everything. I don’t see any specific holes in the armor, and that is why I simply continue to work on everything.

What is your brightest hockey memory from your childhood?

R. Voloshenko: This would be my first game for Soviet Wings. I scored a goal right in my first game!

What do you enjoy doing outside of hockey?

R. Voloshenko: Of course, I spend most of my time doing something hockey related. But in my free time, I listen to music, or spend it on the computer, playing sports games such as hockey or soccer.

"Team is Most Important"

How many years have you spent with the Soviet Wings and how do you like the club?

R. Voloshenko: I started with the club at four, and am very grateful to coach Boris Mikhalovich Synitsin. He coached our youth team, but for personal reasons left the club. At that time, we’ve had many coaches come and go. When I started to receive call-ups to the big club, he was returned to the club’s coaching staff. So, it ended up that he built my foundation during my childhood, and then built on it again. Now, I skate with the first team and really value the assistance of my teammates, as well as the head coach Pyatanov, who is a very good expert. He spends a lot of time on the tactical aspect of the game and is very interesting to work with.

Despite the fact that your club currently competes in the Upper League, last season you already had a chance to debut in the Super League. Please share with use your impressions regarding the level of play in the Super League?

R. Voloshenko: I skated in all the games with my linemate Misha Yunkov, with whom I also play together with on the national team. We usually had more experienced players skate with us on the other wing, but they often changed. I can say that I didn’t do badly. I even scored in my first game, against Magnitogorsk’s Metallurg, but we ended up losing the game anyway. Overall in the Super League, the game is much faster, and I had to think and make decisions faster. At first, the physical aspect of the game was a bit unusual, but I then adapted. There is nothing overly complex about it. The game is still the same, a player just needs to find their style.

How much do you think you’ve improved over the past season?

R. Voloshenko: I believe that I have most of all improved the physical aspect of my game, as well as my understanding of the game’s flow. Playing in the Upper League gives me many opportunities to further my development.

You spent most of this season skating for the Soviet Wings in the Upper League. How do you think you did this season?

R. Voloshenko: I believe that I can play even better, especially if you take a look at my stats and the relatively low production numbers. I think as far as my game goes, everything is fine, but I probably need to take more initiative and score more goals.

Does the coaching staff trust you? How much ice time do you usually get?

R. Voloshenko: I would like to get more ice time, but overall I think get a lot of it. I just don’t like to sit on the bench, and would rather play. I believe that only when I play can I continue developing.

You have spent most of the season skating on the "face mask" line centered by another ’86 forward, Mikhail Yunkov. It appears that the two of you have played together for a long time. Can you tell us a bit about this forward and how you like playing with him?

R. Voloshenko: Outside of hockey we spend a lot of time together. On the ice, we first played together while we were both still on the Wings’ junior team, when we were around 14 and he transferred to our club from CSKA. We were put on the same line, and played well together from the first try. We kind of understand each other – he is the type of a forward who will always pass the puck, and always backs me up if I make a mistake. In a key situation, he will not over handle the puck and will pass it for a nice setup. He helps me and I help him back.

Who usually plays with you on the right wing?

R. Voloshenko: The right wings on our line constantly change. Misha and I, we are always together, but the right wing changes often. On the national team, "Sasha" Alexander Radulov skates with us.

Outside of hockey, are you friends with anyone on the Soviet Wings besides Mikhail Yunkov?

R. Voloshenko: I spent a lot of time with the guys from my year [’86 – RP] – Andrei Stepanov, Sergei Dorofeev, because we’ve played together on the junior team and the farm team. However, all the veterans treat me very well.

In your short career, you have already had a chance to skate in the Upper League and the Super League. Do you believe that after the conclusion of their junior careers, the young players should begin their professional career in the Upper League? Or do you believe that young players can skate in a Super League club and effectively compete with the veterans?

R. Voloshenko: I believe that if a player is ready, why not let them play in the Super League right away? Of course, at the very beginning you need to pace yourself: first make the junior farm club, and then the Upper League club. But if you are ready, then why not play for the big club right away?

What do you believe is the most striking difference between the level of hockey in the Upper League and the junior First League?

R. Voloshenko: First of all, here there is a lot more physical play and the speeds are higher. These are the primary differences. The level of hockey is completely different and you are forced to do everything faster.

Is the difference between the Super League and the Upper League significant?

R. Voloshenko: In the Super League, the caliber of players is higher and, because of that, the game becomes more professional. It’s more interesting to play in the Super League and I believe that when you play against stronger opponents, your development will move forward at a faster rate.

How do you think the Soviet Wings are doing this season?

R. Voloshenko: There were reasons for our slow start. We spent the first four games against the clubs, which currently hold the second and fourth spots in the rankings. Objectively, we did not look any worse than them. We should have won three of the four games, but you can say that luck wasn’t on our side. We also didn’t convert on our chances. The club’s morale was low after such a start and it was only when we got back home and started winning that the guys started to get it back. Part of the reason could be that a new coach joined our club, and we started to spend more time paying attention to tactics, and became more organized on the ice, committing less mistakes and giveaways.

What spot in the rankings does the team aim for?

R. Voloshenko: We would like to take first place, but because of our weak start, we only earned sixth. The playoffs are starting soon, and we will work hard to win the whole thing.

What do you think: do the Wings have a chance to return to the Super League?

R. Voloshenko: Why not? We have a good, young team. We can win and are capable of beating any team. The most important thing is to show our character.

How long is left on your contract with the Wings?

R. Voloshenko: Two more years

Radulov-Yunkov-Voloshenko – Russian National Team’s most dynamic line

Your 'Radulov-Yunkov-Voloshenko' line is considered to be one of the most dangerous on Russia's '86 national team. How long have you been playing together?

R. Voloshenko: We were placed together about two or three tournaments ago. At first, I played only with Yunkov, and then just with Radulov, but then the coaches put the three of us together and everyone is satisfied. We look pretty good at every tournament and always understand each other. Sasha Radulov is a faster forward. He can easily go around many opponents. It’s great that we complement each other, and play fast, combinational hockey. We can play both defensively and offensive-oriented hockey.

Can you tell us a little bit about your impressions from the 2003 World Cup that was held last August in Slovenia. Judging by your production you did not appear to have a very successful tournament…?

R. Voloshenko: We had a very difficult preseason [with the Soviet Wings – RP], and because this was only my first preseason spent completely with the professional team, I was very fatigued. Last season I spent only the first half of the preseason with the big club before being sent down to the second team. This season, I worked hard and it’s not hard to switch modes, hence the result.

What do you think happened with the squad during the game against the Americans?

R. Voloshenko: The previous day we had a very difficult game against the Czechs. After that game, we only arrived at the hotel at 2am. So, we didn't really get any sleep. When we started leading the US 2:0, we thought that we have already won the game. Then later, when the Americans started to play harder, we simply didn’t have any strength left because of the Czechs. Towards the end of the game, they rolled over us.

Can you tell us a bit about November’s Four Nations tournament? How did your line perform there?

R. Voloshenko: By November, Russian Upper League’s regular season was well underway, so I was in the appropriate physical shape. It was also a lot more interesting to play at this tournament, because my linemates also improved significantly. In addition, the opponents made a difference: the Czechs did not bring their best roster, we already beat Slovakia earlier, but it was the first time we played against Germany. So, judging by the participating teams, the tournament wasn’t the strongest. Our line played very well, and led the entire national team. We always delivered in key moments and by doing so, we helped our team win.

What about the Germans? It seems that the game against this seemingly weak opponent was more intense than anticipated…?

R. Voloshenko: No, we did not by an means consider this team weak. We observed them earlier at the tournament, and we saw that they play quick and physical hockey. There was no underestimation. Simply we did not convert on certain scoring chances, and then we lost a bit of confidence in our abilities. Their goalie also seemed to catch absolutely everything, but then our depth was too much for them and we scored our goals and won.

At the recently concluded Five Nations Tournament in Finland, your line enjoyed great success. You can say that the line broke out, scoring eight goals and earning 19 points. You yourself played well, tying Radulov for Russia’s top scorer with seven points. What changed at this tournament? What helped you play so well?

R. Voloshenko: Each one of us strives to improve with our individual clubs. We also help and support each other on the national team. I can’t say that I am completely satisfied with my performance at the tournament. Yes, we played well, but I think we will show a lot more at the [U18 - RP] WJC. An important factor will play a role here: we will not be skating our first tournament together, but our fourth. We still have room to grow. There is no limit to development. We are working hard and will play better at the U18 WJC, because you have to continue raising your level of play.

Dmitri Shitikov, who stood out with his high level of production at previous tournaments, did not have a good Five Nations. What changed in his game?

R. Voloshenko: I can’t say if there were certain differences in his game. He continued to play in the same style that he played before. Maybe this time he did not get lucky, and could not convert on some of his scoring chances, hence his production dropped off. But not everything is determined by statistics.

What has been your most memorable goal you scored for the national team?

R. Voloshenko: I don’t think it has happened yet. Ahead of us is the U18 WJC!!!

Which opponent proved to be the toughest for the national team?

R. Voloshenko: I think the Americans, because when we met with them, we played on smaller ice and it was unusual for us. They skate on small ice since childhood, but for us it was at first very foreign. Later, of course, we adapted, and after that didn’t really consider it a problem. Overall, I can’t say that any one national team surprised me this season.

NHL Talk

Do you follow the NHL?

R. Voloshenko: Unfortunately, I don’t have the means to follow the NHL. In Russia, you have to have additional pay channels, and I don’t have them yet.

Do you have a favorite NHL club?

R. Voloshenko: I can’t single someone out a single team, but I do like how Colorado plays. Last season, I saw a game of theirs and I really like their combinational hockey style.

How do you think North American hockey differs from Russian?

R. Voloshenko: First of all, because of the small ice surface over there, you have to make decisions faster, shoot faster, make plays happen faster. The most important thing is speed.

Looking Ahead….

This is your first year of eligibility at the NHL Entry Draft. You are considered one of the most talented European skaters, and RussianProspects holds you sixth, which gives you a very good chance to earn a high spot in this year’s draft. Do you feel any pressure regarding the upcoming draft?

R. Voloshenko: Of course, I feel that the draft will be soon, but I don’t think specifically where I would like to be picked. Of course I want to be picked as high as possible, but I don’t spend too much time thinking about it. I just work on my game. If I play well and continue developing, the draft will be there.