Ilya Vasiliev: «I don't like losing; I always want to win»
30.11.2025
Reaktor defenseman Ilya Vasiliev is playing his first JHL. Here Ilya tealks about his adjustment to the league and his first steps on the ice.
– Ilya, let's start by reminiscing about the road trip. Reaktor won two games against Tyumen Legion. How did you manage to score so many points?– The victories were achieved through teamwork. We went into the games as a close–knit team, fought for each other, and followed the coach's instructions. In hockey, the team that makes the fewest mistakes wins, so we tried to eliminate them.
– The team has four wins in a row. How does this affect the team mood?
– It is always nice to win! We are currently on a winning streak, and we want to extend it. This kind of momentum is certainly having a positive impact on the team. The winning streak only gives them more confidence.
– We have games against Loko–76 coming up. What can you say about their team?
– We will be playing against a solid opponent. I think they are the strongest in our division right now. Yaroslavl has a skilled lineup of players, some pretty big guys. The most important thing is we can't give them too much space in our zone. We have to follow the coach's instructions until the very end. That's how we can achieve success.
– How are you adjusting to the team?
– It's going well. The team is close-knit, everyone supports each other, and the older guys are helping us. I enjoy being part of such a team!
– You used to play with some of the guys at the hockey school who now play for Reaktor. Did they help you get used to the team faster?
– Of course! I've known Amir Gizyatov, Kirill Stolyarov, Vsevolod Favrichnikov, and Ilyas Sirazetdinov for a long time. We understand each other well, both in the locker room and on the ice. They helped me adapt, and I'm grateful for that!
– Besides the guys I mentioned earlier, who on the team did you immediately connect with?
– You could say we're all on the same wavelength on the team. But I'd still like to mention Zhoe Kristof Muissu, Makar Kurbatov, and Anton Shalda. I'm probably the ones I interact with the most.
– You're a student of Nizhnekamsk hockey. What's it like playing for your hometown team?
– It's a great honor for me! I went through the entire hockey academy and dreamed of making it to the youth team. It turns out that dream has come true, and I'm very happy about that.
– You were captain of your team in the youth academy. How important is it?
– This stripe is very important. The team votes on the captain. You understand: if the guys chose you, it means they have confidence in you.
– How many seasons did you play as captain?
– Three seasons. It so happened that we had three different coaches. Each time there was a re-vote, but the guys still chose me. I guess that means I fulfilled my duties correctly.
– What exactly are the captain's responsibilities?
– First and foremost, discipline and team spirit. The captain is responsible for everything. You have to keep the situation under control. And not just on the ice, but off it as well. If something happens, you'll be the one in charge.
– From the outside, you seem calm and composed. Although, it would seem that captains are more energetic.
– Yes, in real life, I'm more of a calm person. But when it comes to hockey, I start to behave differently. I don't like losing; I always want to win. At the children's school, I was the one who got the team going, finding the right words. I think I was pretty good at it.
– You attended training camp on a tryout contract. How did you find out the club was signing you to a full contract?
– Training camp was coming to an end, and only the tournament in Togliatti remained. A few days before leaving, I was told I was being signed to a full-fledged contract. Of course, my emotions were running high; I'd been working toward this for 13 years. I was very happy, but at the same time, I knew that wasn't a reason to stop. I had to keep moving forward!
– Actually, last year you preseasoned with Reaktor, but you couldn't convince the coaching staff. Did that make you feel discouraged?
– I think the coaching staff is always right. So, it was too early for me to join the junior league. However, I played a year in the JHL and gained experience. Of course, in such a case, you can't give up. Hockey is my life, my favorite game. You have to work until the very end to achieve success.
– When did you start playing hockey?
– My dad took me to hockey when I was five. There was a recruitment drive going on at the time, and Oleg Pisarev was coaching. My hockey career was in the balance: on the final day of practice, I performed a fantastic drill. I think the coach saw how much I wanted to make the team. He started handing out jerseys, and I got the very last one. I'm glad I made it this far. For that, I'm very grateful to all the coaches, especially Oleg Aleksandrovich!
– Why did you choose defenseman?
– We had a lot of forwards on our team. There was no end in sight; there were more and more of them. Consequently, the competition for that position was fierce. But honestly, I don't regret my decision to become a defenseman. I like to disrupt attacks, play hard, and be reliable. A lot depends on a defenseman, and I enjoy that kind of responsibility.
– You wear number 28 at Reaktor. Why did you choose that number?
– I've always worn number 19; it's my favorite number. But it turned out that number was taken in the club's system. They gave me number 59 in preseason, but it just so happened that they gave me number 28. I actually like it. Especially since my mom and sister's birthdays are on the 28th.
– Speaking of family, do they follow your game?
– Of course! They try to come to home games and support me. My parents have invested a lot in me. I appreciate that, so I go out and fight for them.
– Did anyone in the family play sports before?
– My sister dances now. And my dad played hockey and football in his youth.
– You scored your first point in September, when you played at home against Snezhnye Barsy. Can you recall those emotions?
– Only positive ones! I had two assists that night. Plus, we managed to win that game. I'm glad I was able to contribute to the victory. A big thank you to the guys who capitalized on their chances. Of course, team success is the priority. But it's doubly rewarding when you win and score points.
– Tell me, where are you studying now?
– I study at the Nizhnekamsk Institute of Chemical Technology. I think it's the best educational institution in our city. Despite the difficulties, I try to attend classes as often as possible and turn in all my assignments.
– Is it hard to combine studying with hockey?
– During practices and games, you expend all your energy, pushing yourself to the limit. That's why it's sometimes hard to do homework in your free time. But you have to overcome it and force yourself somehow.
– And finally, what do you need to do to make it to the play-in?
– We need to go into every game with maximum dedication, understanding that every point we score is crucial. And, as cliché as it may sound, we must play our best game against any opponent.
