Igor Larionov, the newly appointed head coach of SKA St. Petersburg, addressed the media, outlining his vision for the team and his approach to coaching. He emphasized the importance of hard work, dedication, and a focus on developing young Russian players while creating an exciting brand of hockey.

Larionov stressed that any decisions regarding roster changes would be made after a thorough evaluation of both playing and human qualities, highlighting the need for players with passion and a desire to improve. “For me, not only playing qualities are important, but also human qualities,” he stated. He aims to create a team that brings pleasure to the fans through courageous and spectacular play, driven by a strong work ethic and commitment to the SKA emblem.

Larionov expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead SKA and acknowledged the high expectations associated with the role. He emphasized the immediate need for the team to be competitive and successful, saying, “Not in two years, not in three – but now.” Larionov plans to work closely with Nikolai Voevodin, the coach of SKA-Neva, to ensure young players are given opportunities to develop and compete for spots in the main squad. “The strongest will play – it doesn’t matter how old you are, what contract you have and what your merits were,” he affirmed.

Regarding the coaching staff, Larionov intends to assess the existing personnel and determine their readiness to embrace his vision for the team. He also addressed key areas for strengthening the team, particularly the goalkeeper and defense positions. “When you have a reliable goalkeeper and competent defenders, it immediately gives you a chance to succeed,” he noted.

Larionov also touched on potential player acquisitions, including his son, Igor Larionov Jr., and the possibility of bringing back prospect Matvei Demidov from Montreal on loan. He emphasized that any foreign players brought in would need to add value to the team beyond just their skill set. He also expressed his admiration for Alexander Radulov’s passion and fire, but said it was too early to say whether he would join SKA.

Larionov revealed that his contract with SKA is a “one plus one” scheme, demonstrating his commitment to earning the organization’s trust. He cited Viktor Tikhonov and Scotty Bowman as influential figures in his coaching development, highlighting the importance of a strong work ethic and continuous learning.

Finally, Larionov discussed the importance of proper nutrition and training, emphasizing an individualized approach that focuses on maximizing each player’s strengths. He also stated that he was not interested in talking about money and the budget, instead focusing on quality of the players.