Maxim Trunev: "The harder you work, the longer you play"

20 years old Maxim Trunev, drafted by the Montreal Canadiens during the 2008 NHL draft, is spending time with both Severstal in the KHL and Almaz in the MHL. In this Sovsport interview, Trunev talked about practices and play in the KHL and MHL, about his father and about his girlfriend Ekaterina.

RussianProspect.com offers you a translation.

At the practices you're always the last to leave the ice, collecting the pucks.

Trunev: "Yes, I'm used to it. Well you know, probably a couple of times I forgot to collect the pucks. Sometimes it happens when the practice is split in two parts."

You played some games for Severstal, then you were assigned to the MHL. During your first game with Almaz you scored, but you also got a game misconduct.

Trunev: "It wasn't intentional. I've picked up a match penalty for checking to the head area. But I don't think I was particularly guilty. Simply I'm taller than most of the MHL players. It happens that I want to throw a body check, but then I get the opponent's head."

In the MHL you log big minutes on ice, but in the KHL you don't play as much. Do you spend time on the bench thinking 'when it's my turn?'

Trunev: "Of course. You can't wait to go, but then you get only a few shifts. It's hard to shine if they don't give you much time. But I always give the hundred percent. You've got to be patient."

Isn't it disappointing?

Trunev: "During the game and after it, well, maybe. But then one thinks: 'the harder you work, the longer you'll play'."

Your father is a hockey official.

Trunev: "Yes, he works at the penalty boxes of the Severstal Arena."

That's interesting. You pick up a penalty and then daddy gives you a rebuke.

Trunev: "You won't believe, but I never got to my dad's penalty box. He works with the opponents. So he has to scold me at home. But seriously, I've reached all my results mostly thanks to him."

Playing for two teams, in the MHL and in the KHL, must be tough, also for your private life.

Trunev: "Yeah. But what can you do? My girlfriend Ekaterina is from Kirovo-Chepetsk, just like me, now she's studying in Moscow. We can meet when they give us free days or when I play there. But look at this good thing of playing for two teams: you can visit Moscow more often."

Did you go to vacations together?

Trunev: "Yes, at the Maldives."

This is a nice coincidence as many Russian players go there. Did you meet anyone?

Trunev: "No, I chose the littlest hotel possible. I just want to relax and spend time with my girlfriend. There was just one condition, the hotel should have had a gym. I love staying on vacations, but I can't afford losing shape."

So, what do you prefer? Playing a little, but in the KHL, or a lot, but in the MHL?

Trunev: "A lot! And in the KHL."