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10 April 2008-The Playoffs are just around the corner More…
*Note-- the last paragraph is what makes this article worth reading*
4 August, Monday, No. 872
Regina Sevostianova, “Mayak”, special to “Sport”
Dynamo trainer Dmitriy Kapitanov: The Heart is the Most Important Mechanism
From his very first day of official training for the KHL club, former marathoner Dmitriy Kapitanov has become a real star. He did such an outstanding job last year preparing a number of Russian NHL players for the season (Ovechkin, Semin, Malkin, Radulov, Gonchar and others), that a lot of people are expecting great things from his work with Dynamo. Especially since inviting a specialist like him is something new for the club.
Dmitriy was first brought to Novogorsk by Alexander Ovechkin, a close friend of the young trainer. The President of Dynamo, relying on a recommendation of the former Dynamo player and taking into consideration his physical preparedness during the season, invited Kapitanov to move to Moscow from his hometown of St. Petersburg. Dmitriy has this to say on that topic “I moved to the NHL to help the guys. I noticed that moving from place-to-place was everyday business for these guys. That is part of the job. Later when I retire I can move to wherever I like. But for now, I’ll work where I’m needed.”
Ovechkin’s actions support his recommendations. Almost every day finds him in Novogorsk preparing for the upcoming season under the guidance of his friend. One can only guess how Kapitanov carries such a heavy load, since he personally trains Ovechkin as well as the team. “You can tell he is an award winning runner” Mattias Weinhandl, Dynamo’s Swedish legionnaire, painfully smiles in answer to my question. “He simply flies in front of us during our cross-country runs.”
What is interesting is the fact that Dmitriy himself is not a hockey fan. He became familiar with the sport just last year thanks to his work with our overseas players. After traveling to North America at the invitation of the Russian hockey stars he now has his favorite teams—Pittsburgh and Washington. As far as the Russian league is concerned he is still indifferent, but will undoubtedly be supporting Dynamo this season.
Inviting a specialist like Dmitriy is something new for a Russian hockey team, but Kapitanov is confident. A good trainer knows which muscles a sportsman uses for various types of sports, and knowing this he could properly train a boxer or a hockey player. According to the trainer, the functional base for the entire season is laid down right now in these few weeks before the start of the regular season. After that there will only be time for rehabilitation.
-“My job is to get these kids in tip-top physical shape by the beginning of the championship” says Kapitanov. “so that they can take on any challenge. The other job of a trainer is rank the players—who is at the top, and who is at the bottom
-You’ve been practicing with the club now for two weeks. What is your take so far?
“Of course I don’t feel bad about moving from St. Petersburg to Moscow. I have so much work here that I don’t have time for anything else. Sometimes I don’t even know where I am.”
And you are working personally now with Sasha Ovechkin as well as with Dynamo…
“And I’m making training plans for other NHL players. Right now for instance I’m writing up one for Sasha Semin. That is why I got up today at 8:00. First I have a meeting with the coaches, then a run with the entire team for training. And then after that I still have to prepare the plans for the rest of the guys.”
And is there a difference between working with the team and working personally with someone?
“Of course, although last year I worked one-on-one and I didn’t have any free time then either, because the hockey players were living with me in my house in St. Petersburg. I couldn’t get rid of them. During the day we trained, and in the evenings we went to the cafes or to the movies. As far as the players being ready for training, it’s all good. I’m not joking. The more I work with them, the more I am certain that we are on the right track.”
Yea, but NHL players are used to preparing themselves independently. This is something new for the Russian guys.
“You know, we ran a cross-country run today with the Dynamo team, after which we measured everyone’s pulse. Everyone’s pulse was fast, which meant everything was in order. The most important mechanism in the human body is the heart, and each and every one of these hockey players has a good working heart.
We met a week ago and I asked you your opinion on the “little Yagr”— Dynamo forward Denis Tolpeko. At that time you hadn’t had time to give him a good look. What do you have to say now?
“He is getting better every day. By the way, everyone is showing progress. Nobody gets worse in training.”
Do you think Ovechkin can have a repeat of his great season last year, like he did in the last championship?
“I don’t want to jinx it, but he is in much better shape than he was last year. You wouldn’t even recognize him.”
Click on icon above for original story in Russian at sportdaily.ru