Defensive Prodigy Sharipzyanov Discusses Training with American Teammate Chekconi

Defender of «Avangard,» Damir Sharipzyanov, shared that foreign players have praised the home arena in Omsk and spoke about collaborating with the team’s newcomer — American defenseman Joseph Chekconi.

«The guys are integrating well; everyone is just happy to be here. The foreign players mention that not all NHL arenas compare to ours. We will need time to jell as a team, but our main goal is to be in top shape for the playoffs.

Yes, I skated with Chekconi today. He’s a solid, hefty defenseman who also knows how to handle the puck; he can make good passes. We’ve skated together for two days now and are pleased with each other’s performance, so we just need time to adjust. The season will reveal how our defensive pairs will be formed. We have depth in this position, and everyone should be ready to play alongside anyone. I believe we will be experimenting with different partners during the tournament in Omsk,” Sharipzyanov was quoted by the KHL press service.