K. Kurashev – about his son Philip: he loves Russia, since childhood all idols were Russian players
Head coach of Omsk Krylia Konstantin Kurashev spoke about the appointment to the Omsk club, the debut of his son – the forward of “Chicago Blackhawks” Philip Kurashev – in the NHL and his game with the Russian national team.
“Is it true that the appointment in Omsk was decided on the days of the Switzerland – Russia match, when Philip played successfully? To be honest, I don’t remember exactly. I don’t think it was somehow delayed or kept secret for a long time. We agreed quickly enough. Didn’t make any secret of this. We agreed, shook hands, and, in my opinion, in a few days everything went well.
I personally did not come, we communicated via video link all this time. We were with our family in Switzerland, there was not even a need for a personal meeting.
After Philip’s successful performance at the MFM, I returned to Russia and became the head of SKA-Neva? I somehow did not look from this angle, but if you bring everything so beautifully, then let’s do this: Philip is great, that helps me to find a job. Is it me myself? He helps not to be forgotten about me!
Has his dream come true to play against the Russian national team? Oh sure. We have spoken about this many times. For him, naturally, playing with Russia is something special. I do not specifically say the word “against”, because no one plays “against”. Fortunately, I don’t have an active life on social networks – Instagram or Twitter. But willy-nilly, some unpleasant comments still slip through. I don’t take offense at people, it’s just that sometimes, not knowing either me or Philip, they write “traitors” or some unpleasant words: “major”, something else. Indeed, it so happens that he plays for the difficulty. It’s great that he made it to the national team, we welcome that.
But he has always been a huge fan of everything Russian. He just loves Russia, Russian hockey. And, of course, every match with Russia, no matter what level it is – U17, U18, U20 or senior – is always a special event when he can play against his teams of idols. It’s the same now that he’s in Chicago. I don’t know, maybe this is a secret, but Artyom Anisimov, although he already plays in a different NHL team, still lives in Chicago, and he and Philip trained together in the offseason. My son has an excellent relationship with Artyom. I repeat: of course, every game with a special Russia. Meeting idols, with the players, whom he wanted to be like and whose example he learned from the video is always a special game.
Did you follow Philip’s matches in the NHL? Of course. There is also a difference in time zones, and we watched all the games in Swiss time live. We had a subscription to the NHL. European time, matches started at one or two in the morning – this is still normal. My wife and I sat and watched, my daughter was not in Switzerland. Together, he was mentally supported at a distance. We are in Switzerland, grandparents are in Russia, in Moscow. Of course, the first game was something special. And the first goal is something special. Everyone dreams of seeing his son play his first game in the NHL, and seeing this live. But, unfortunately, COVID has introduced its own rules. It didn’t work out, but it’s okay – I think there will be another opportunity, “the VHL official website quotes Kurashev.
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