OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN
Krasimir Yerokhin: "This is my last World Cup of Hockey"
BELUSHYA GUBA Krasimir Yerokhin has been the face of Novozemlyan hockey for 15 seasons. The 9-time NZEL all-star has led Partizan to four championships, and he has captained the national team ever since its first game nine cycles ago (a 3-4 loss to Schutzenphalia and West Ruhntuhnkuhnland, by the way). However, during the last WCoH there were rumors that the veteran center had decided to retire from the national team, and it took intense persuasion from head coach Bogdan Bobr and teammates to make him change his mind. It worked out, Yerokhin went to WCoH 32 in Valanora and formed a dominant line with youngsters Valeri Kalagin and Foma Khabalov in what was to become the most succesful Novozemlyan WCoH campaign to date.
"It was a fun tournament," Yerokhin comments. "I feel we have great team again this year, that can compete for gold, so I decided to give it one more go. But this is my last World Cup of Hockey."
36 year old Krasimir Yerokhin may have lost a step, but even in his prime he was never the fastest skater. Instead, he dominates games due to his smarts. His ability to slow down the game and find an open teammate with a pass in a scoring position is what made him the greatest Novozemlyan hockey player of all time. You can call it hockey IQ or vision, it doesn't matter. The point is, your smarts do not go away with age and even though he's slowed down, Yerokhin is still a top 10 point producer in the NZEL - so why retire now?
"The last couple of seasons I have not been able to play at the level I've come to expect from myself," he responds. "That is hard to accept. I have had some nagging injuries and I am not getting any younger. Plus, there are some younger guys coming up that deserve a chance on the national team."
Perhaps Yerokhin's NT retirement announcement should be seen as a favor to his old friend, coach Bobr? We all know that Bogdan Bobr would never cut his long-time captain from the national team, so Yerokhin calling it quits before his play drops off dramatically might be the best decision for all parties involved. Either way, luckily for us Novozemlyans, we will still get to see Yerokhin in the NZEL for another year. The day after Partizan's heartbreaking game 7 loss to Metallurg in the NZEL finals, the club announced that Yerokhin, or "Kras" as his teammates call him, had signed a one-year extension.
"Originally, I had planned to retire from hockey all together after this season," Yerokhin comments on his decision. "But the way these last two seasons have ended... Two straight finals losses. Man, I don't want to go out like that. I will give it one last shot, try to get the title back to Belushya Guba. I owe it to the fans after all these years, you know?"
So let's say you have a good season in the league next year, and Bogdan Bobr calls you about the WCoH? Would you consider chaning your mind about retirement?
"No. This is it, I have made up my mind. I don't want to stand in the way of the future generation coming in."
Let's talk about the upcoming WCoH for a while. Unlike previous years, this tournament will have a 10-game double round robin, with teams playing on home ice rather than in the host nation. What's your thoughts on that?
"I don't look forward to the travel but overall I think it's great. The fans will become a real factor, and I think Novaya Zemlya has some of the best hockey fans around. It will be really special to play infront of the home crowd."
What about the group draw? It looks like you landed in one of the tougher groups, with Kaboomlandia looking like the biggest threat, correct?
"I would agree, they are a great team. I heard they even won a friendly against Elejamie last week. Our games against them in the Round of 16 last year both went to OT. I expect it to be super close again this year."
What about the rest of the group?
"The Alpine Union, as I understand it, is basically Prusy Krolewskie with some of Botten's best players sprinkled in there, so they should be taken seriously for sure. And Ontorisa has always had a great program, so yeah, I would agree that this group is tougher on paper than some of the others."
Speaking about Ontorisa, last time you guys met there was reportedly some bad blood between the teams, especially you and Ontorisan captain Tealmos Wedernas seemed to have some differing opinions. He called you a "typical goon" in an interview afterwards. Do you look forward to facing them again?
"I look forward to the games because I believe we have a good chance of winning. That game you're talking about is history now, you won't get any juicy comments out of me on that subject. Our focus is on winning games and nothing else."
Classic Yerokhin. Unlike a long list of people involved with Team Novaya Zemlya over the years, Krasimir Yerokhin has always carried himself with class. Even in absurd situations, such as being the unwilling spokesperson when the government decided to make a political spectacle of the Feministvs Sanctvsterra asylum situation during WCoH 27, Yerokhin has managed to survive with his dignity intact. For that, and even more for his outstanding contributions on the ice, we thank him. You will be missed, Krasimir. Now go get that Cup to top off your career!