Tatarstan President meets players of Ak Bars Hockey Club

On February 19, at the base of the Kazan team Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov had a meeting wth players of the Ak Bars Hockey Club with participation of Ak Bars President Shafagat Takhautdinov, Director General of Tatneft Nail Maganov, head coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov, and others.

Minnikhanov noted that last year was difficult for the republic and Ak Bars Hockey club, but despite this the challenge to qualify for the playoffs has been completed and next week the team will play its first game. 

"Now everything will start all over again, with a clean slate. And we have a very strong reason to believe that our team will fight for the Gagarin Cup in a worthy manner. It’s clear that it will not be easy. But you shouldn’t forget that Tatneft , the republic, and me are behind you. Your victory is our victory, your defeat is our defeat, so you should be capable to fight," Minikhanov said.

He noted that Salavat Yulaev is a goal-oriented opponent.  "Salavat is a special team, you have to win them and, moreover, keep going ahead. The team has potential. I am confident that all the issues related to motivation, prospect and creation of conditions have been already negotiated. Now you must fight every single second. And, of course, you need luck," Minnikhanov said.

Takhautdinov noted that this season turned out to be the most difficult for the Kazan Club. Particularly, players haven’t got so many injuries for many years, he said.

Bilyaletdinov assured that the team is fully prepared to the coming "green derby", being in good physical and emotional condition.

The first game of Ak Bars against Salavat Yulaev Ufa will take place on February 22 in the capital of Bashkortostan.