In first CJHL season he came with Gladiators just for the last round as assisatnat of the coach. So we could say, that this is his premiere season in Carpathian Junior Hockey League. Evgheniy Pysarenko, coach of U16 Gladiators Dunarea Galati.

How do you remember your hockey beginnings? Who got you started in hockey and where did you take your first steps in hockey?

First time I came to hockey at 7 years old, from that time it became a passion for me. I start to play at HC "Sokol" Kiev(Ukraine) as defenceman and my first coach was Goldobin Valerii Petrovich. After that, during all years at hockey school, I was trained by several coaches as: Razin V., Mosievskiy V., Diomin A., Krylov Y., Maiko N., Utkin A.

How did your hockey career develop? What do you consider as the greatest success in your playing career?

I been a captain of my junior team. And we won the Eastern European Hockey League U18. I played for team Ukraine U18 at 1997 and 1998 in pool A, for team Ukraine U20 at 1999/2000 in pool A, for team Ukraine at Universiade in 2003. My first experience at senior level (pro level) been at "Berkut" Kiev (1998/1999). Also I played in Romania for "Rapid Buharest (1999/2000), in Ukraine at "Sokol" Kiev (2000/2001), then again in Romania for "Steaua" Buharest (2001-2010 and 2011/2012), in Kazakhstan at "Arystan" Temirtau (2010/2011), again in Romania at "Corona" Brasov (2012-2016), where I became a team captain.
I been a silver medalist in Ukrainian Championship (1998/1999, 2000/2001), Bronze medalist in Kazahstan League (2010/2011), 5 times winner of Romanian Cup and best player of the final, and 6 gold, 4 silver and 4 times bronze medalist of Romanian Championships (2001-2010), silver medal in Mol League (2013/2014).
Also from 2011 to 2015 I played for team Romania at World Championships, twice we won gold medal in Division II group A, and played Division I group B.
Probably bronze medal in Kazakhstan League and silver medal in Mol League were the greatest success in my career.

When did you begin with coaching? Did you plan to become a trainer during your active playing career? Where have you worked as a coach?

I studied at National University of Sport Education in Kiev (1997-2001) and I planned to became a coach after my career as player. I start to work as a coach for kids at Steaua Buharest în 2006 when I was an active player still. Then from 2012 till present I worked at Corona Brasov as coach for kids and juniors, also one year I had an experience as assistant coach at senior team Corona Brasov and LTP (Learn to Play) national instructor for Romanian Federation (2015-2016). This season I coach U18/20 team and collaborate with U16 and U18 Dunarea Galati in CJHL.

Do you have a coach-idol? What style of hockey do you prefer as a coach?

Because I had lucky experience to meet a famous Canadian coach Andy Murray and been coached couple years by Tom Skinner, I think them both are leading exemples for me as coach. As coach I prefer modern north-american style, wich includes the best parts of European styles (Russian,Sweden...).

And the best moment of your coaching career so far?

One of the best moments in my coaching career is when I saw my players playing for national team Romania U18 and U20 and winning gold medals in Division II and when some of them start to play at pro-level and scoring a goals also...

What would you like to achieve as a coach? Do you have any dreams for your coaching career?

My goal as coach is to prepare and promote as much as possible young players to pro-level and ofcourse to see one of them some day playing at top level!
My dream is to coach a national team Romania or may be Ukraine first and then to be able to coach in top level leagues.

What goals do you have upon entering the Carpathian Junior Hockey League?

My goals in CJHL is to create a new relationships in hockey world and for team in this season is to try to win 2 or more games per tournament and get more confidence for players.

Do you think that such an international competition can help young players in their hockey-related growth?

The reason why I enjoyed participation the CJHL is to give a chance for Romanian young players to play more international games at higher level and to become a better players!It is an honor for us to take part of this project! And I hope this is long term project!

SHORT QUESTIONAIRE

The best player ever: Mario Lemieux
The best active player: Sidney Crosby
Your most favourite hockey team: Detroit Red Wings
Your most favourite sport (exc. hockey):Basketball
Your most favourite sportsman: Michael Jordan

(the interview was provided in English and is published without any corrections)