Alexander Sukhanov: «My biggest fans are my family»
31.07.2026
Reaktor forward Alexander Sukhanov talk about his childhood and adjusting to his new team.
– At what age did you start playing hockey?
– I started playing hockey when I was four. My parents brought me in, but mostly my dad. We went to games together, and I fell in love with the sport.
– Who were your first coaches, and what did they teach you?
– All the coaches supported me in their own way, each sharing their experience. My first coach was Andrei Mukhin. Then Oleg Petrovich helped me. Then came Viktor Lyalin and Evgeny Yeryomenko. I want to express my special gratitude to them for believing in me.
– How did the tryout for Reaktor go, and were you nervous about moving to the JHL?
– There were tryouts at the end of the season, then training and tests in May, after which I was able to attend training camp. We're currently undergoing intensive preseason training. I wasn't nervous – on the contrary, I wanted to show my best.
– How did your training change after moving from the Hockey School to the JHL?
–The training has certainly changed. The workload has become much heavier, and the feeling is completely different – everything is truly professional here.
– How did the older guys welcome you to the team?
– They welcomed me quite well, the team is great, thanks to the guys for that. They constantly give me advice during training – how to do things better, how to beat the opponent.
– Which teammates have become a mentor or role model for you?
– I won't single anyone out – all the older guys are helping me get used to the new team very well.
– Was it difficult to get used to the speed and physical play at the JHL level?
– It was a bit difficult at first, but over time it became much easier to cope – both in practice and in games.
– What's the hardest part about the transition from junior hockey to the JHL?
– The speed is completely different than at the Hockey School – you can immediately feel the JHL level. You have to make decisions much faster in games.
– Who are your biggest fans?
– My biggest fans are my family. They support me tremendously: my mom, dad, and little brother come to all my games. I really enjoy seeing them in the stands.
– What did your parents say when they found out that you scored your first goal?
– They were happy and told me not to relax and work hard and move forward.
– How has your family supported you in your hockey career?
– My family has always been supportive. There were tough times when I couldn't score, and that's when my parents especially helped me keep my spirits up.
– How do you rate this goal – was it a fluke or a natural result of practice?
– I think the puck just bounced at the right moment – I just had to score.
– What are your goals for this season?
– I want to contribute as much as possible to the team and help Reaktor reach the play–in.
– Do you have a hockey idol? Who do you look up to?
– I have a few, but my main one is Kirill Kaprizov. I like his style of play: the way he passes, scores goals, and beats opponents.
– Do you ever dream of making it to the KHL or NHL?
– My biggest dream is to make it onto a senior team (Neftekhimik). I want to do well at the junior level first, and then make it into the main roster.
– What do you do outside of hockey? What about study and hobbies?
– During my free time, I like to spend it with my family and stroll around the city. When I have a day off, I go fishing with my dad. I recently finished 9th grade, passed all my exams, and will now be in 10th grade.
– What kind of music or movies do you like?
– I listen to a variety of music, but I prefer adventure movies.
– What number do you wear, and does it mean anything to you?
– I play with number 26. I got it as a kid when they were handing out jerseys – it was the last number left. I still wear it.
– What would you tell yourself a year ago, before this season started?
– I'd probably tell you not to be afraid and just believe in yourself. Sometimes I doubted whether I could make it, whether I could handle it at the next level. But now I understand: if you work every day and don't give up, everything will come. I'd tell myself: train even harder, listen to the coaches and the older guys, and don't worry so much about mistakes, because that's where you learn the fastest.
– I started playing hockey when I was four. My parents brought me in, but mostly my dad. We went to games together, and I fell in love with the sport.
– Who were your first coaches, and what did they teach you?
– All the coaches supported me in their own way, each sharing their experience. My first coach was Andrei Mukhin. Then Oleg Petrovich helped me. Then came Viktor Lyalin and Evgeny Yeryomenko. I want to express my special gratitude to them for believing in me.
– How did the tryout for Reaktor go, and were you nervous about moving to the JHL?
– There were tryouts at the end of the season, then training and tests in May, after which I was able to attend training camp. We're currently undergoing intensive preseason training. I wasn't nervous – on the contrary, I wanted to show my best.
– How did your training change after moving from the Hockey School to the JHL?
–The training has certainly changed. The workload has become much heavier, and the feeling is completely different – everything is truly professional here.
– How did the older guys welcome you to the team?
– They welcomed me quite well, the team is great, thanks to the guys for that. They constantly give me advice during training – how to do things better, how to beat the opponent.
– Which teammates have become a mentor or role model for you?
– I won't single anyone out – all the older guys are helping me get used to the new team very well.
– Was it difficult to get used to the speed and physical play at the JHL level?
– It was a bit difficult at first, but over time it became much easier to cope – both in practice and in games.
– What's the hardest part about the transition from junior hockey to the JHL?
– The speed is completely different than at the Hockey School – you can immediately feel the JHL level. You have to make decisions much faster in games.
– Who are your biggest fans?
– My biggest fans are my family. They support me tremendously: my mom, dad, and little brother come to all my games. I really enjoy seeing them in the stands.
– What did your parents say when they found out that you scored your first goal?
– They were happy and told me not to relax and work hard and move forward.
– How has your family supported you in your hockey career?
– My family has always been supportive. There were tough times when I couldn't score, and that's when my parents especially helped me keep my spirits up.
– How do you rate this goal – was it a fluke or a natural result of practice?
– I think the puck just bounced at the right moment – I just had to score.
– What are your goals for this season?
– I want to contribute as much as possible to the team and help Reaktor reach the play–in.
– Do you have a hockey idol? Who do you look up to?
– I have a few, but my main one is Kirill Kaprizov. I like his style of play: the way he passes, scores goals, and beats opponents.
– Do you ever dream of making it to the KHL or NHL?
– My biggest dream is to make it onto a senior team (Neftekhimik). I want to do well at the junior level first, and then make it into the main roster.
– What do you do outside of hockey? What about study and hobbies?
– During my free time, I like to spend it with my family and stroll around the city. When I have a day off, I go fishing with my dad. I recently finished 9th grade, passed all my exams, and will now be in 10th grade.
– What kind of music or movies do you like?
– I listen to a variety of music, but I prefer adventure movies.
– What number do you wear, and does it mean anything to you?
– I play with number 26. I got it as a kid when they were handing out jerseys – it was the last number left. I still wear it.
– What would you tell yourself a year ago, before this season started?
– I'd probably tell you not to be afraid and just believe in yourself. Sometimes I doubted whether I could make it, whether I could handle it at the next level. But now I understand: if you work every day and don't give up, everything will come. I'd tell myself: train even harder, listen to the coaches and the older guys, and don't worry so much about mistakes, because that's where you learn the fastest.
