Tezikov thrilled to get another NHL opportunity

Originally published on EuroReport.com in 2001

By Lucas Aykroyd

Alexei Tezikov isn’t in line for the Norris Trophy, but he might well take the prize for being the NHL’s friendliest Russian defenseman. And hey, it doesn’t hurt to score some points with the media when you’re playing your first NHL game since a 23-game stint with Washington in the 1999-00 season. The Vancouver Canucks claimed the 23-year-old Togliatti native off waivers from the Anaheim Mighty Ducks on 30 October. After a six-game stint with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL, he returned to Vancouver for a strength and conditioning assignment with Canucks strength coach Peter Twist, rehabbing a sprained wrist. Tezikov earned himself a berth in the AHL all-star game last season with Washington’s minor-league affiliate, the Portland Pirates, recording 31 points (7-24-31) in 58 games. He knows the North American game well, as he played two years with the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL before being drafted 115th overall by Buffalo in 1996. In Tezikov’s first game as a Canuck at GM Place, the 6-1, 200-pound blueliner logged 16:13 of ice time and achieved a team-best plus-minus of +3. EuroReport’s Lucas Aykroyd caught up with the smiling journeyman afterwards.

EuroReport: Which is more exciting for you, having a good start in your first game or seeing the team get two big points?

Alexei Tezikov: I’m not an individual guy, you know. I don’t care about my stats or how I played or stuff like that. We played together. We’re winning together, we’re doing everything together. This is one dressing room. If the team wins, everybody’s happy. Coaches, players, fans, you media guys!

EuroReport: But at the same time, it’s nice to show the coaches what you can do.

Tezikov: I’m pretty excited to have this chance. The coaches gave me lots of ice time.

EuroReport: And now you’ve got a dressing room stall that isn’t tucked away in the corner.

Tezikov: You know what? This is a beautiful building here. It’s unreal. It looks like brand-new. And so many people watching the games. It feels unbelievable, especially for a young guy like me!

EuroReport: How were your legs out there, considering you haven’t played in a while?

Tezikov: I think my condition is pretty good. I’ve been working out a lot. I would say I could play one more period tonight, no problem!

EuroReport: You had a few different defensive partners tonight, including Ed Jovanovski.

Tezikov: That was pretty exciting to play with a great player like that. And then up in front of me were great players like Naslund, Cassels, Bertuzzi. What can I say? It was just exciting.

EuroReport: How would you describe your style, Alexei?

Tezikov: Me? I think I can play any way. I can play penalty kill, I can play power play, I can play five-on-five. I can shoot, I can give the pass, I can skate.

EuroReport: From watching the games, what do you think this Canucks team needs to do to turn the season around?

Tezikov: The only thing this team needs to do is win the games. Everybody needs to do that! That’s how we keep everybody happy and smiling! That’s the most important thing.

EuroReport: Did you hang out with Artem Chubarov for Christmas?

Tezikov: Artem was a little bit busy with his parents, actually. I went for some turkey and I’ve got a couple friends in this city, so I met up with them. They’re Russian guys, too. But to me, I can be friends with everybody. It doesn’t matter who they are, if they’re from Africa or wherever!

EuroReport: Coming from Togliatti, do you stay in touch with other guys from there, like, say, Viktor Kozlov?

Tezikov: Viktor Kozlov has always been my friend. I kind of lost his phone number, but probably when we play against Florida again, I’ll get his number again. Plus I have another pretty good friend, Oleg Kvasha with the New York Islanders.

EuroReport: What do you think about the problems Russian hockey has had since the breakup of the Soviet Union?

Tezikov: Well, you know, the lifestyle is starting to get much better in the country, especially with our new President. Hockey life has always been great in my country. We’ve always had great players. We just haven’t always succeeded.

EuroReport: What are your plans for the Olympic break in February?

Tezikov: My plans? Keep working! I have no choice. I’m only 23 years old. I’ve got to work and work and work.