Hurricanes Prospect Alexander Nikishin Talks Season Goals, Move to NHL in Russia Interview – Hockey Writers – Carolina Hurricanes

Alexander Nikishin has not started playing this season, as he is still fighting his old injury that kept him out of the playoffs last season. It was a great run by SKA and the defender. “The season went by so fast!” he said while leading his team in scoring last season, with 56 points (17 goals, 39 assists) in 67 games.

***You can enjoy the first talk with Alexander Nikishin in his native Russian on sobaka.ru here!***

Statistics Matter

Nikishin admits he paid attention to his numbers. “I started to pay attention when I started scoring consistently; it helps to compare my results from the previous season with the current one. When the games are over, you look at the numbers and come to a conclusion.” After all, although the success of the clubs is what motivates the athletes, the numbers are still important. “Statistics are important when your contract ends, or when a player is older and deciding which club to continue his career with,” he admits. “But for me, it’s big with the way I’m doing right now.”

The young defender is also very focused on his game. “I criticize myself a lot; I can spend a week replaying a bad game in my head. So I try not to play badly.”

Related: 5 Hurricanes to Watch in the KHL This Season

He also added some interesting concepts: “In hockey, it’s like Shakespeare said: all the world is a stage, and all the men and women are just players.” We all have our role—defender, scorer, goalkeeper. I’m a defender, and I can’t change my role if I’m needed in defense. But if the situation calls for it—when guys are attacking—I can join to form a strong combination with a front four instead of a three. In that sense, you need to be flexible. “

Nikishin says he also tries to follow other players to improve his game. “We are all always looking at each other and aware of technical or tactical aspects,” explained the defender. “There are examples in front of us: Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson. There’s a lot of controversy surrounding Karlsson right now, people say he’s not the same player anymore, but I like his style: the way he handles the puck, the way he scores. It’s amazing!”

When will Nikishin leave?

It would be great to see Nikishin play in the NHL, but he’s not thinking about it right now. “As long as I still have a valid contract with SKA, I can’t make any promises,” said Nikishin. “The Carolina Hurricanes drafted me in 2020, so I’m considered a potential player – a prospect.”

Being a prospect isn’t about being part of a team, but he’s been in regular contact with the Canes. “I’m always in contact with scouts, managers, and leadership—we discuss my performance. Sometimes the coaches reach out and give advice: they send video analysis of the games and explain what I can improve in my approach. ” In particular, they discuss the difference in the game on the two sides of the ocean. “In North American hockey, it’s all about short passes and team pressure—two or three players running to gain an advantage—so the game is fast. and decide where to pass.”

Back in 2022, Nikishin was part of a record-breaking trade in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), when he was traded from Spartak to SKA in a monster deal. “I was very surprised and I thought it was cool, and obviously a win-win,” he recalls. “In the early days, everything was good, there was no pressure: we knew each other through competitions. One thing led to another, and we started talking to everybody.” Nikishin’s performance and presence were so good that he was named team captain midway through the season. “I was suspended because the previous captain, Alexander Kadeikin, was injured,” he humbly admitted. “But we hold an election every year, so I might give a role soon.”

Being a captain is not easy. “The captain is always at a high level of commitment: from reporting to the coaching staff on behalf of the team to organizing celebrations,” he laughs. “Otherwise, any player can come to me with questions. But given my age—I’m the youngest in SKA—and my years of experience as a captain, I have a lot to learn from the boys.”

Nikishin has not played yet this season, but his goals are clear: “As it is the last year of my contract with SKA, I want to play the best season of my career.” And as a team, we aim to play well, reach the final of the Gagarin Cup, and then do everything we can to win.” And of course, becoming an integral part of the Hurricanes will only be a matter of time.