October 20, 2000

Lightning's Prospect: Pavel Sedov

A lot has been said and written about the graduates of the very productive hockey school of Khimik Voskresensk. Many world-class players glorified it all over the world. Igor Larionov, Valery Kamensky, Valery Zelepukin, Slava Kozlov, Sergey Berezin and Andrei Markov are only some of the brightest samples that represent it oversea in the NHL. Time flies, many players quit and the question arises who will be the next ones to emerge in the world's best league from the cradle of Russian hockey?

Not to worry, the Russian hockey system still remains one of the most prolific in the world. Its coaches perfectly know "what is what" in the world of hockey and that's the thing all Russian boys are willing to learn from them. Moreover, every parent and their offspring in the flourishing time of "Russian capitalism" realize how important it is to have serious attitude towards hockey. That means that if a kid grows up as a very good player, a solid contract may become his passport to the well-to-do life. At the age of 17-18 many young players prefer not to think about this kind of things. Their parents and agent take care of it. As it turns out, youngsters just play for the love for this god created game.

HockeyZonePlus recently caught up with 18 years old NHL prospect Pavel Sedov on his coming back home after the Lightning's training camp, where he talked about his career with Khimik, his first arrival to North America and his impression of the game in Europe and Canada.

HockeyZonePlus: When did you start playing hockey?

Pavel Sedov: Oh, I was only six years old when I met a coach who recruited boys willing to play hockey. Though I was very little, I thought I should try this kind of sport. So Vladimir Syrtsov, one of the legendary triplets of Soviet hockey, was appointed as my first coach. Moreover, my eldest brother, Yeugeny, was fond of hockey and he became a good advisor for me. As for my parents, they supported me in my decision of choosing the career of an athlete. It was them who initially bought for me some costly equipment and took care of my health.

HockeyZonePlus: What do you like most of all in hockey?

Pavel Sedov: I enjoy playing a sound physical game and scoring beautiful goals. It's a very interesting game if one knows how to play it the right way.

HockeyZonePlus: Can you name your strong and weak points?

Pavel Sedov: Experts say of me that I'm a good speedy skater with size and strength (height 190 cm and weight 87 kg). I have good vision of the game. I love booming shot from the blue line.

HockeyZonePlus: How did you become a forward? Was it the choice of your own?

Pavel Sedov: You see, my brother has been playing forward with Khimik Voskresensk and the coaches decided to use me as a winger as well. They say that I'm a player with good hands. It's already some type of a family trademark and there is no need to invent something new.

HockeyZonePlus: Could you tell us about some of the most memorable achievements and events in your young career?

Pavel Sedov: At the moment it's difficult to remember everything without skipping something really very important for me. I've been playing for different junior teams of Moscow. I've been acknowledged as the best forward and player of some tournaments. The one I can't forget is an international junior tournament held in Voskresensk. Eight teams have been taking part in it and we won the final against Team Finland. I simply enjoyed the game that time.

HockeyZonePlus: When do you feel that you managed to get the attention of NHL scouts?

Pavel Sedov: At the time I've been playing in Moscow, many scouts and agents tried to contact me. Finally I started to work with Alexander Tyzhnykh. This year I became the 161st overall choice of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Unfortunately, due to some reasons, I was not present at the draft ceremony and went to North America only in September to spend my first NHL training camp.

HockeyZonePlus: Was it your first visit to North America? What impression do you have of their hockey?

Pavel Sedov: Yes, it was. I've never been before in the North America. It was pleasant to realize that I was in the legendary city of Montreal. The only thing I can say about their hockey is that it is tremendous! I don't think that they deliberately hit Europeans because they are their rivals competing for a spot on the roster of an NHL teams. If North American players perform an aggressive rough style of game, they try to do it strictly within the boundaries of the rules. Why should you avoid a good body-check or hit if you know that it will work? It seems to me that spearing is not typical of their current style of hockey. Their hockey absorbed all the best European techniques and traditions.

HockeyZonePlus: So you say that you spent your training camp in Montreal. Tell us a little bit more about your impression of staying there.

Pavel Sedov: Ok. My agent brought me to Quebec where the tournament with four teams was held. My team finally became the second. I got acquainted with some very good Canadian guys. I shared the same room with Desablanc. He is a very interesting person and a good hockey player. It was still difficult for me to chat with my North American colleagues because I didn't know English/French but we easily got along onto the ice. Hockey was our common language that time. I felt a little bit sorry when the time to leave my new hockey friends came. The only thing that made me happy that time were the words of the coach about me. He said, "You are a huge guy and you have chances to step into the NHL in the nearest future."

HockeyZonePlus: I wish you success this season with your club team Khimik Voskresensk and may success attend you in your career.