Pavel VALENTENKO

11 July 2008, 17:31

A pupil of "Neftekhimik" hockey school Pavel Valentenko arrived on vocation to his native town Nizhnikamsk from Canada. He is playing for "Montreal Canadians" - one of the strongest and oldest hockey clubs on the planet.
The 21-year-old sportsman signed contract with this club , and it has been a year already since he has been playing in the  NHL.
Today Pavel Valentenko, who became the best defenseman of the world championship last year, gave an interview to a correspondent of “Tatar-inform” information agency. It was possible to speak to him during training  in Nizhnikamsk.

Pavel, tell us, please, how did you get into big hockey?

P.V.:  For The first time I came into our ice palace, when the team for boys born in 1987 had been formed.. They were being trained for two years already.
I remember how my trainer gave me skates which were too big for me. But, after couple of weeks I was gradually already staking
Now I don’t even remember what I felt when I got on the ice for a very first time. But I know that, after putting on skates, I could not live without hockey.
I hardly remember my first match that played for "Neftekhimik’87". I was wearing 13th number and I was the luckiest boy in the world.. Later I became rising upwards on sports ladder.

Have you always played as defender?
P.V.: Always. When, I was still a little boy, I liked to stay on gate, but as there were already three goalkeepers, I decided to play in defense.

Who has the most merit that, you began to play ice hockey?

P.V.: Many people were involved in this process, my parents in the first place..
I am so grateful that they spend so much of their time and nerves letting me do what I always wanted to. I also express my gratitude to my first trainer Oleg Yashin, he is a great man.

Comparing playing in Russia and in the West how is it different and which place do you prefer more?

P.V.: Playgrounds are smaller and matches last quicker. There is more force fight game. And spectators simply adore of hockey.
In our country hockey is good too, certainly, , but I like playing in Canada more.

Canadian fans call you tank, where did you get such a nickname?

P.V.: It started after couple of games where I used some force skills, so exactly after the that people gave me this nickname. And surname finishes as "tenko", it sounds quite similar with tank.

What are your plans for the future?

P.V.: I set a single and the main aim to myself - to play in NHL and to hold there for a long time. I signed a contract with «Montreal Canadians" for two years, and I will do my best , to remain there.

Lots of Russian best teams offered you contracts, but why did you chose to play for “Montreal Canadians" ?

P.V.: Since early childhood I dreamed about playing for NHL, some Russian contacts were very attractive though. As soon as Canadians offered me their contract, I agreed. For me to play with "Montreal Canadians ". is a happiness. I am so proud of that, I cannot even explain this.
I want to win 25th Cups of Stanley in structure of this club, 24th they have already got.

In end of the interview pupil of Nizhnikask hockey school Pavel Valentenko wished all the boys, who are getting up on skate, taking stick and dreaming about star career, never to dump, not waste much attentions on some difficulties , that will certainly appear in the beginning of their sports life, and main -- to obtain all of their targets.