Former Russian national team and KHL head coach Ilya Vorobyov has offered high praise for the work of Ak Bars Kazan's head coach, Anvar Gatiyatulin. Vorobyov's commendation comes as Gatiyatulin has successfully guided his team to the KHL Gagarin Cup final, where they will face Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.
"I am sincerely happy for Anvar Gatiyatulin," Vorobyov stated. "He previously earned a bronze medal with Traktor Chelyabinsk, and now he has reached the final with Ak Bars. This is a serious step in his career, well done!" Vorobyov addressed the common perception of Gatiyatulin in the media, noting that while he is often portrayed as a closed-off, unemotional coach focused on defensive hockey, the reality is different.
Vorobyov, who knows Gatiyatulin from their work together with the national team and in St. Petersburg, described him as an open person and a good family man off the ice. He suggested that Gatiyatulin's reserved demeanor with journalists might be a deliberate choice to conserve energy and information. Regarding the tactical criticism, Vorobyov acknowledged that during Gatiyatulin's tenure at Traktor, the team did lean heavily on a defensive system, but he argued this was largely dictated by the available roster.
He pointed out that Chelyabinsk was dealing with injuries at the time, and that after Gatiyatulin's departure, the club immediately brought in several new players, including the return of Vitaly Kravtsov and the acquisitions of Grigory Dronov and Danil Yurtaikin. This context is crucial for understanding the previous playing style.
Now, with a more suitable roster at his disposal in Kazan, Vorobyov observes a significant change in Ak Bars' approach. "He plays differently now — in both directions," Vorobyov explained. He highlighted the offensive contributions of defenseman Mitchell Miller, who joins the attack deep, and the point production of Nikita Lyamkin. Vorobyov believes Gatiyatulin has given Miller the freedom to rush forward, showcasing the coach's ability to adapt and rebuild his system.
This tactical flexibility is seen as a key reason for Ak Bars' successful run to the championship series. The team's ability to generate offense from the back end while maintaining structure demonstrates Gatiyatulin's growth as a coach. The upcoming final against Lokomotiv will be the ultimate test of this evolved system.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.