Team Russia WJC coach Igor Larionov engages in a Q and A with NHL.com

Former Red Wings forward and player agent Igor Larionov has taken on a new role, coaching Russia’s World Junior Championship team. Ahead of the WJC (which begins on Christmas day), Larionov engaged in a Q and A session with NHL.com’s Mike G. Morreale, and his answers were very…professor-like:

What is your coaching philosophy and how might it differ from Valeri Bragin?

“My philosophy is to teach hockey the right way. To be professional, pay attention to detail and play good, enthusiastic hockey that requires skill, the mindset and the work ethic needed to be successful. I guess maybe it’s not appropriate to compare to a previous coach and someone who I have a lot of respect for, but at the same time I’ve tried to go back to the roots of Russian-style hockey, when we played at high speed and used quick minds and quick feet. I enjoy the smart team play and playing an offensive style that requires imagination. We will play with skill, play for each other and give maximum effort.”

What are the strengths of the Russia team we’ll see at the World Juniors?

“We don’t have that much experience in returning players from last year, other than goalie Iaroslav Askarov (Nashville Predators), and forwards Vasily Podkolzin (Vancouver Canucks) and Maxim Groshev (Tampa Bay Lightning). Since I couldn’t view players during this difficult time (in a pandemic), with no camps and nothing to see from exhibition games in the traditional Canadian Hockey League Canada Russia Series during the November tour in Canada, it gave us an opportunity to see the boys play in the Kontinental Hockey League level, playing against men. I’m looking for skill, character, speed and a mind that’s ready to sacrifice and play for the team.”

Continued;