Podkolzin shares how important Canucks coach Sergei Gonchar is to him

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Cooper Godin
July 26, 2024 (4:08 PM)

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Vancouver forward Vasily Podkolzin shares how important Canucks coach Sergei Gonchar is to him for his development as a player.

Sergei Gonchar was hired by the Vancouver Canucks back in January 2023 as a defensive development coach and even helped out with the powerplay units this past season.

Having a Russian coach in Vancouver has been beneficial for players such as Vasily Podkolzin as well as Nikita Zadorov, Ilya Mikheyev and Andrei Kuzmenko, before their departures from the Vancouver Canucks organization.

Podkolzin was recently interviewed by Russian media outlet Match TV and shared how important Sergei Gonchar is to his game and how he's helped him improve by watching game clips and doing technical exercises.

Note: the quotes in this story are translated from Russian.

"It used to be, but it wasn't in the playoffs. Gonchar works with the defenders and, of course, with Russian players. However, I'm the only one left now. Obviously, Sergey communicates with me closer, we watch videos somewhere together on how to improve my game." Podkolzin said.

He added, "Yes, of course. After training he stays with me, we do some technical exercises."

This coming season is a big one for Vasily Podkolzin as he needs to take another big step in his development and potentially become a full-time NHLer at some point during the year. Working with Sergei Gonchar is going to be key to ensuring that can happen and everyone in the Canucks organization believes that Podkolzin has the tools to cut it in the National Hockey League on a full-time basis.

Source: Match TV
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