“Nobody is simply going to hand you a place in the lineup.” Ivan Patrikhayev’s success story

CSKA defenseman Ivan Patrikhayev became a regular with the team in the 2025-2026 season after making his KHL debut a year earlier. In this talk, the young blueliner recalled his first games in the league, adapting to the speed and intensity of KHL hockey, earning the coaches’ trust, his first goal and fight, working with Igor Nikitin, and facing some of the league’s top stars.

I was really happy to make my KHL debut, even though I didn’t get much ice time (only 23 seconds against Severstal). It was great to experience the atmosphere and be part of the team. I was a little nervous, but that’s normal — those are genuine emotions. Mentally, I was ready, even though it was late in the game. I dressed as the seventh defenseman for several games without actually getting on the ice. I watched my teammates play, analyzed how the game is played in this league in general, and picked up on certain things that could help me when I got my chance. You still prepare mentally for the possibility that you could be sent to the ice at any moment and try to absorb certain details.

As for the differences in playing styles, there is more teamwork and structure in the KHL. Junior hockey is a little different. The speed of decision-making is much higher in the KHL. I remember games in junior hockey where you had all the time in the world and could do whatever you wanted with the puck. Sometimes nobody would even pressure you at all. In the KHL, everything is decided in fractions of a second, and you have to make decisions very quickly: where to move the puck, how to position yourself relative to an opposing player.

Walking into the CSKA locker room for the first time was pretty nerve-racking (smiles). I had been traded from Dynamo Moscow, where things hadn’t quite worked out for me, and after my first game for Krasnaya Armiya, I was called up to CSKA. I couldn’t have imagined that I would get a call-up to the first team right after my very first game. I walked into the locker room and saw guys I had watched on TV. Nikita Nesterov, for example, has played in many places and won a lot. It was great to meet everyone. Of course, I got used to it over time. All the veterans supported me and helped me adapt, while Nikita Okhotyuk took me under his wing. He helped me tremendously with my development and still helps me to this day, and I’m very grateful to him for that.

When I saw the news that Igor Nikitin was coming to CSKA, I was excited (smiles). Of course, I understood that I would have to fight for a place in the lineup. Many players dream of working with a coach like him. Throughout the season, you learn from the coaches every day. We work a lot with Dmitry Yushkevich, and he helps me adjust to the League and improve my defensive game.

What helped me establish myself as a regular with the pro team was confidence. Last year I didn’t play much, and overall, my first season was pretty nerve-racking. This year, I understood that I had to both help the veterans and earn my own place — nobody is simply going to hand it to you. You just go out on the ice, do what is asked of you, and try to improve every day so you can help the team. More ice time comes through practice and hard work. I didn’t play much in the first few games of this season as they gradually eased me into the lineup. Of course, the coaches’ trust helps, and it makes you feel more confident.

I scored my first goal against Lada. We were on a five-on-four power play, and Nikolai Kovalenko moved the puck up to the point. I saw a shooting lane, and the goalie was well screened. All I had to do was hit the target, and fortunately, I did. It had taken me a while to score. I wouldn’t say I was dwelling on it, but I definitely wanted to get that first goal. In terms of my playing style, I see myself more as a two-way defenseman, and I try to develop both the defensive and offensive sides of my game.

In the game against Sochi, I got into my first fight at the senior level; the emotions are completely different compared to scoring your first goal (smiles). It happened when Oleg Maistrenko went into the corner to battle for the puck and fell, and I pulled an opposing player away. One thing led to another, and we agreed with the opponent to let off some steam — that’s just how it happened.

I have sometimes thought about how I used to watch certain players on TV, and now I’m playing against them. Nikita Gusev, for example, who represented Russia at the Olympics, and other guys. I was aware of it, but I focused on something else: how to play against them as effectively as possible and give them as few chances as possible to create dangerous opportunities. Once you step onto the ice, it doesn’t matter who is on the other side: there is no difference in who you are playing against.

This season, I played in the KHL playoffs for the first time. The intensity is higher, there are more fans, and you can feel the excitement around the games. The emotions are great: at home, you hear the crowd’s support and feel them pushing you forward. There are some differences compared to the regular season: there is more physical play, the responsibility is higher, and any mistake can decide the outcome of a game. In the series against Avangard, we will go out there and give everything we have to win and everything depends only on us.

For young players who dream of making it to the KHL, I would say: never give up, keep improving every day, and believe in yourself and your abilities — that always helps.