Please tell us something about your referee career.

My career as a professional referee began in 1994. I worked for two seasons as a linesmen at the MHL (follow-up competition of the USSR Championships). In the years 1997-2000 I was in the same position at the IIHF World Championships in different groups. From 2001 until 2015, I was already a referee at various IIHF events, including the U-20 IIHF World Championship, pool A and the IIHF WCH, pool B. At the same time, during this years, I was referee at the EEHL (Eastern European Hockey League), which was at that time the Open Belarusian Championships, including the final matches of the league in Belarus and Latvia. Three seasons, unless a conflict in the east of Ukraine has began, I have been the referee of the Higher Hockey League in Russia. Of course, I "whistled" a lot in Ukrainian hockey as well. More than 20 times I was the referee in the home league final.

What do you could mentioned as the highlight of your career?

It's hard for me to choose highlight of my career. I would rather mention some of the most interesting games. During the lockout in the 2004 season, I was referee in a friendly match between Latvia and Canada, headed by Dany Heatley. I remember, like it is today, the overfull old stadium in Riga ... Unbelievable noise, I did not even heard my own whistle! But we quickly found a common "speech" with the teams and it was an extraordinary match in a great atmosphere. Besides, I often like to remember the final series of the Championships of Latvia, when HC DINAMO Riga became the national's champions and in the following season they played in KHL.

In the last season you participated in two rounds of CJHL. What do you think about this League?

Excellent competition! Even according to the tension, also according to the "intrigue", and to the competitive conduct. I think, we could compare all of this with WCH of junior categories. Because teams run twice a day on ice, the tension in evenings games is even higher. This format of the competition is very interesting and, in my opinion, helps to increase the competitiveness of the teams. In the two-thirds played games, the "weaker" teams are not very tired and, on the other hand, favorite teams are slightly less concetrated, which brings unpredictable results.

In the last round of mentioned season, in romanian Galati, had the team from US take part as a "guest" team. Due to fact, as the North American style of hockey differs slightly from the European one, it was more difficult for you in games of american team?

It was more difficult just till the moment, when I explained to the American team coach some differences in the interpretation of the IIHF rules and those that are valid in US competitions. For example, a conflict has arose out of nothing... according to the US rules, if the player's helmet falls from his head, the game is immediately interrupted, but according to our rules the game continues.

CJHL management invited you to join league in this season as well. What was the reason of your positive decision?

In my opinion, this competition have the future definitely. And I have always supported HOCKEY in its best forms. I am always ready to help the people who help develop hockey regardless of the borders. That's why I did not hesitate and I accepted the offer to join CJHL this season as well.

The teams from five different countries, plus a "guest" team from Belarus, were take part in the first round of red group, Eagles division last weekend in Novojavorivsk. It is harder to keep your eye on the rules in the games where the various ice hockey schools meet as in national competition?

I do not think so. Maybe at the start of the competition until the players don´t know the referees. They must become accustomed to a different style of referees work. But it is true that in a home competition where everybody knows everybody, it's a little easier for players and for me as well. There I know what I can expect from each player.

How was this first round according to you? 

I think it was very good, interesting weekend. It is true that the guests from Belarus were a bit more dominant than others. They were definitely stronger, more experienced team and played with a certain amount of reserve. The other teams were approximately balanced. Everyone could win with everybody, the proof of that is the victory of Serbian Partizan over Slovak Michalovce, which seemed quite sensational.

Just during the weekend in Novojavorivsk you received the award for the Best referee of the Carpathian Junior Hockey League 2017/2018. What does this award mean to you?

It is very nice to receive such awards. I was very surprised. During the last season in CJHL, I tried to show by my work on ice that there are not only hockey in Ukraine, but that there are also referees. I thank the management of the Carpathian Junior Hockey League, not just because they awarded me. I thank also because, I think that in this way they appreciated the work of all League referees. People usually mentioned our work only when the referee makes a mistake on the ice.