"The task of the big players is to create a microclimate"

On July 29, Cherepovets hosted a hockey gala match, which became a farewell for Bogdan Kiselyovich, a native of the city and a graduate of Severstal. The 2018 Olympic champion in the Russian national team and a two-time Gagarin Cup winner (with CSKA in 2022 and Lokomotiv in 2025) ended his playing career at the age of 36. For many years, the defender was considered one of the strongest players in his role in the KHL. The current head coach of CSKA, Igor Nikitin, was also at the match, under whose leadership Kiselyevich played for the army club in 2014-2021 (with a break for the NHL season), and then in the first half of 2025 for Lokomotiv.

In addition, Igor Valerievich was responsible for working with defenders at Oleg Znark's headquarters in the Russian national team at the 2017 Bronze World Championship and the 2018 Gold Olympics in Korea, where Bogdan played. In an interview with Izvestia, Nikitin described Kiselyovich's playing and human qualities, talked about building a championship team in CSKA, where he returned a year ago from Yaroslavl, having reached the second round of the Gagarin Cup last season, and also commented on possible interest in the club's long-term striker Vladislav Kamenev, who was forced to interrupt his career in March 2025. after the discovery of a prohibited drug in his doping sample. In early July, RUSADA disqualified the hockey player for two years, so he will be able to return to the KHL only next spring.

— You have come a long way with Kiselevich in several teams. How do you remember him as a player and as a person?

— The fact that we've been through so much together already says a lot. Bogdan has withstood the demands of hockey, the coaching staff, and the teams he played for. And they always set themselves the highest goals. It is impossible to do this without character, determination, skill and human qualities. But Bogdan, being a complete person, managed to achieve great success.

— The season before last, Kiselyevich joined you at Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, where he played very few matches for six months, after which he decided to end his career. How did he perceive the almost complete lack of playing time?

— As an intelligent person, he understood the situation he found himself in and the goals that were set for him as an experienced player, even if he didn't spend much time on the ice. He handled it very well. And I think he also became an important part of the Locomotive that won the Gagarin Cup.

— Many people think that even without playing in the playoffs, he brought the right atmosphere to the locker room. How does this correspond to reality?

— This opinion not only has a right to exist, it has a place to be. It is very difficult to maintain a positive, sincere attitude and focus on the team's results while playing little. Not everyone can do it.

— Which playing qualities of Kiselyovich as a defender would you highlight first?

— Bogdan feels very good in corners, in martial arts, on a dime. He has the fundamental qualities of a defender that allow him to play in teams that face serious challenges.

— Did he somehow stand out in the national team at the victorious 2018 Olympics in Korea and in preparation for it? What was his contribution to that triumph?

— The fact is that the task of big players in big teams is to create a microclimate without standing out, but being an important part of the team. And that Olympic gold is just the result of teamwork. Although it is clear that there are always heroes, there is a right to a miracle that happened then (in the final match of the 2018 Olympics against Germany, Russia escaped defeat a minute before the end of regular time thanks to Nikita Gusev's goal in the minority and won in overtime (4:3). — Izvestia). But this is the result of the team, and not only those guys who were on the ice, but also the coaching staff and support staff — a lot of people who not only worried about the case, but also created the atmosphere and conditions for success.

— In what capacity do you see Bogdan after the end of his hockey career? The coach?

"I don't even want to guess what's in his head." But I'm sure Bogdan can realize himself. He was always thoughtful, single-minded. And most importantly, he has always studied and continues to study. These are important qualities for a young man, which Bogdan is, and for him, life is just beginning.

— What do you expect from the early start of the CSKA preseason? Do you feel that the team has become accustomed to your requirements over the past year?

— Yes, we went through confrontations with good opponents — it was a pretty good school for the guys during the season. Those who were able to pass it, not to break down and remain themselves, will now be preparing with us for the new season. In addition, we have made small purchases. In general, the process is underway.

— Do you need more purchases?

— Our task is to start the preseason, check the nearest reserve and the backbone that we have now.

— In early July, there was finally some certainty regarding Vladislav Kamenev, whom CSKA had lost even before your return to the club. Now, taking into account the period of ineligibility, he will be able to return to the KHL only next summer. Have you discussed with the club's management how interesting Kamenev is in the future? Would you personally like to work with him?

— Yes, Vlad and I are constantly in touch and discussing, let's say, an action plan, how everything will develop further. Everything depends not on us and not on him alone. But on the whole, we keep Kamenev in the sphere of interests.

— In your first seasons at Lokomotiv, you often talked about the need to instill a winning mentality and work ethic in the team. In less than four years, this approach has brought the result of winning the Gagarin Cup. Is the process going at a similar rate in CSKA now?

— These games will show the results in the playoffs. We assume, but the Lord disposes. The process is underway. Of course, I would like it to be faster, but life will show.