Q&A With Ivan Telegin

 

 

Editors Note: After talking with Alex Burmistrov for Jets Nation, Andrey Osadchenko was able to catch up to recently signed prospect Ivan Telegin. Topics include Telegin’s improved offensive numbers, playing in the OHL, the world junior championships and his goals for next season.

I think it happened because I changed my game a little bit. If you take a look at my rookie season stats, you’ll see that I scored more goals than this season. I didn’t take as many shots on net as I used to. Instead, I tried to help my teammates to score. Especially in the second half of the season.

I would say the biggest difference is skill. I know a Russian forward when I see one. For instance, take Vlad Namestnikov who plays for the London Knights. It’s obvious he’s Russian just by the way he plays.

It doesn’t happen a lot, actually. I rarely see guys dump it in and skate towards a defenseman to engage into a battle for a puck with him. Usually, everybody gets into offensive end by passing. During my rookie season I saw a few teams that would do it, but more skilled teams didn’t play dump and chase. On the contrary, they played in a very similar style we play in Russia. They looked more skilled.

I really can’t say much about it. I’m not a goalie, you know. I know nothing about their technique. Besides, I haven’t played in Russia for 2 years, so it’s hard for me to compare. All I can say is that I found North American goalies a little easier to score on in my rookie season.

Let me think about it. Hm, I’d say it was the game against the Owen Sound Attack late in the season. We were down 3-4. I managed to tie it up in the dying seconds of the third period. In the end, we won in a shootout. It was a huge win for us. At that time we were competing with them for a top spot in our division. I think, this was my best game in the last season.

It’s hard to tell. I think we had a better team. We should have passed them. Unfortunately, we underestimated the opponent and got ourselves into situation where we couldn’t afford to lose anymore. In game 6 they outshot us and played much better overall. We weren’t ready for that game.

Basically, I don’t have any problems in this regard. I can speak and understand English. It’s all good. I also keep working on it, so it’s going to get even better.

It is. I think they were 3 billboards around the town. There was a big picture of me and a line that said: “Have you seen the Russian bull?” (laughter). I thought it was pretty funny.

It’s a small community. I don’t even know the exact number of local population. Everybody knows each other. They’re all good people. No matter where you’d go people would say hi and wish you good luck. It’s amazing. I really liked it.

Well, I wouldn’t say it happened all the time, but every now and then, yes, they would. Usually I would go for a walk with the team’s owner. He always would be like: “Hey! Let me introduce you to Ivan. He plays for the Spirit and Team Russia”. He introduced me to a lot of people. There was a funny story once. Our entire team went to a restaurant where were supposed to be waiters for the night. There was one girl that came up to me and told me she loved me (laughter). I got really shy, gave her a smile and didn’t say anything.

I’d hang with either the Spirit’s owner or my friends. In fall we usually played golf. In winter we’d go to the movies or chill at home playing videogames.

Yes, it was either this or golf.

(laughter) Well, I wouldn’t say I’m awesome when it comes to NHL 11 but I’m okay. There are CHL teams as well, so we usually played for them. It’s fun to take a look at yourself as a third person.

It’s a little bit incorrect to say that I wasn’t called up. I was invited to the training camp. But 2 weeks prior to the Juniors I got injured. So my agent called Valery Bragin [Team Russia’s head-coach] and told him I couldn’t come. If it wasn’t for the injury, I could have made the team.

Of course. I cheered personally for the guys from my hometown – Dmitri Orlov and Maxim Kitsyn. I congratulated them both after the final. I was really happy for them.

No, no conflicts whatsoever. They were all shocked. They couldn’t understand how in the world did this happen. They couldn’t believe that Canadians didn’t manage to hold on to their big lead. We joked about it afterwards but in a friendly manner.

I did. The negotiations began in February. I was eager to sign this contract and it finally happened a few days ago. It made me really happy. To be honest, I was getting tired from all the waiting. I think, I may have been signed earlier if the Thrashers hadn’t moved to Canada.

I think I’m going to be sent down to the juniors because I’m too young to play in the AHL.

I don’t mind it at all. Although, I’ve never had a training camp there. We’ll see what it’s like. I’m coming to Canada next week to train with my junior team and after that I’m going to the Jets’ training camp.

Why should I be afraid of cold? It’s not cold if you play. Besides, I’m from Siberia. I’m not going to have any issues with the cold.

Pretty much. I got a call from my agent and he told me the Colts wanted to me to play for them. He told me: “Take your time and think about it. If you want to, you can stay in Saginaw”. I gave it some thought and decided to move to Barrie. A little change won’t hurt, you know?

I liked it. There’s nothing else to add.

I think so, yes. Canadian fans are better. They love their hockey more. Even though, both Canada and the US are hockey countries, Canadian fans are more into the game.

I did notice that. I don’t know how to explain it, though. For example, when we played in Canada, the fans always sang their national anthem. In Saginaw I rarely heard American anthem sung.

My main goal is to make it to the Jets’ roster. If I won’t be able to do this, I’d love to play at the World Juniors. The way I play is going to be the defining factor.