[gvitaly]

I came across more Solovyov content from Belarus, wasn't sure if it's thread worthy, but here it is:

— Ilya, tell us about your impressions from your first NHL games.

A year ago, I played 10 games in the NHL, got a ton of experience. Plus, I got to play in the outdoor "Classic" game. I got to play against the Oilers, against McDavid and Draisaitl. These guys have made the Stanley Cup Final two years in a row. It was a very cool experience. I was literally shaking.

— Can you compare this past season with the one before it?

I had much better stats this season, compared to last. I can't remeber exactly, but I had a plus-minus of +10 or +15. I had almost 30 points in less than 60 games, I had either 59 or 58 — that’s very solid for a defenseman that doesn’t even play on the power play.

My role is to play even-strength, penalty kill, and in the final minutes when we either need to tie the game or protect the lead. I handled that role well. I hope Calgary sees that. I just need to keep working hard and hope that I can spend the full next season in the NHL.

I want to say that the AHL became easy for me, but that would be unfair and unsportsmanlike[the exact wording was: "I'm not saying that the AHL became easy for me, because ..."] . But I definitely feel like it’s time to grow and move forward up the ranks. I think the Flames felt that too, since they called me up to the NHL as soon as I started feeling that way. I spent about a month and a half, maybe two months with the big club, but I was sent back down due to paperwork. And that’s part of the business, I have no control over. That's why I hope to earn a more permanent role this year.

— What challenges did you face transitioning from the AHL to the NHL?[This question was asked by one of the kids]

When you play in the AHL for three years like I did. The one main issue you face when you make the jump is how fast everyone thinks the game. In the AHL, it’s all about speed and skating. Honestly, some AHL guys might even be faster than top NHL players. But in the NHL, it’s a completely different game. Everything is faster as far as thinking the game and executing plays. If you take any technical part of the game, like stick-handling, passing, or shooting, everything is faster. The decisions are made not in 2 seconds or even a second, but in a fraction of a second. That's the difference.

The NHL is like a big corporation. Have you ever watched Monsters Incorporated? It's similar to it, there's a team with different members and each of them has a different role. If you fill your role well, then you're going to stick around the NHL, and in the system for a long time. If you don't then you move on to a different league.

— Do you have a dream related to the Belarusian national team?

I dream of playing for Belarus at the Olympics. I really hope things settle down, and our very talented generation can prove itself internationally. Even without including the guys playing in North America, just look at how many young and talented Belarusians are in the KHL.

Take Dynamo Minsk, for example — there’s Vitali Pinchuk and Vadim Moroz. Maybe they’re not locker room leaders like Vadim Shipachyov yet, but their impact on the game is just as strong.

And if you look at the guys in the AHL — myself, Danila Klimovich, Nikita Tolopilo — we’ve got some promising players. That’s why it’s frustrating. I often talk to my dad about this — he still dreams of the day we’ll be allowed to compete in the World Championship again.

I hope that becomes possible in the coming years.

— Are you a patriot of your hometown Mogilev?

Yes, of course. I’m not there now simply because it’s more convenient to prepare for the season in Minsk. I’ve already started my offseason training, and Minsk is just a more comfortable place for that. I’m used to preparing here.

But I go back to Mogilev every weekend. Right now, they’re doing maintenance work at the arena there, so there’s nothing I can really do training-wise. But I really want to meet up with the guys I started playing hockey with.

Source:


Russian Transcript at hockey.by, I used it as a base, but I went off the video for all the questions except the ones about Belarus, those are just translated with ChatGPT.

I figured between all the rumours and speculation, it might give you guys something to read, while we all anxiously wait for the draft. I honestly can't wait for even more Wranglers/prospects to make the Flames, it's awesome to watch young players grow with the team.