Salavat Yulaev newcomer recently scored 1^st goal for the team told us about his first goal for the Salavat Yulaev, shared his emotions from moving to Ufa and his experience playing with Connor McDavid.

Salavat Yulaev forward Markus Granlund:

- Now you`ve become Salavat Yulaev player. How did the negotiations go?  What`s your impression of Ufa?
- Everything went well, I am glad to be here. I have been here for a month already and I like it. Russia is a new country for me, but there some Finnish guys in the team, so it is cool. The most important is hockey, we need to train, play good games and relax. I am very excited about the season`s start.

- Did you notice anything special in Russian culture while being here for a month?
- Yes, it is a different culture compare to Finland and North America, but there is nothing crazy here (laughs)

- How did your family react on your transfer to Salavat Yulaev?
- All of them were happy for me, because KHL is a great league. Mom and dad of course worried a little bit, but I have traveled a lot for my career around the world and I am not 20 years old anymore.

- You already were in Ufa in 2013 on the U-20 WJC. The tournament turned out not very good for Finnish National team, but you become Top 3 scorer. What are your impressions from that time?
- I liked it here a lot. New city for me, new culture, food. The atmosphere on the Arena was amazing, we have got a lot of support from the fan`s stands.

- Did you discuss with you new coach your role as a player in the team?
- Yes, we talked about it.  He wants me to be top guy in the team, play powerplay and win the games. But hockey is a team game, all 4 line’s work is important to win the games. But of course I will try to be a leader and I will work hard for it.

-You played 3 games already for Salavat Yulaev. In the first 2 games you played in line with Hartikainen and Soshnikov, and the day before with Hartikainen and Manninen. What are the impressions of these games?
- Yes, I played with Hartikainen already 3 games and now I understand what he do on the ice, how he attacks. Soshnikov and Manninen are both good players and we will see what is going to happen in the new season.

-There is an opinion that for the fellow countrymen it is easy to communicate on the ice.  Do you agree with that?
- To be honest, there is no such a big difference for me, because there are great guys in the team. Of course some little things we can discuss with guys on Finnish language when we are on the bench or on the ice, but I am used to communicate in English.

-You scored first goal for the Ufa playing against Neftekhimik, but it was rebound from the opponent stick. Teammates right the way congatulated  you and some of them did not even realize that you was the author of that goal?
- Of course it was nice to score it. I gave a pass, but managed to score. I do not really care if it was a pass, or goal. (But Manninen already told me that he did not touch the puck).

 -But fans are still arguing about who scored.
- Now they will find out the true (laughs)
 

- It is obvious that you can`t avoid comparing to Linus Omark. He was like a magician on the ice for the fans. Are you ready for his role, or you`ve got another one?
- I am not going to be new Linus Omark that is for sure. I think we`ve got different styles of playing. He was more with the puck, doing some fancy play and I play straight in the offence and defense. I try to work a lot even without the puck, to screen the goalie. Of course, I am ready for a leadership! I love hockey fans; they are an important part of hockey. So let's wait for the championship.

- It is not a secret that your brother Mikael is famous around the world with his lacrosse goal. Should we wait from you anything like that?
- If there is chance to do it, I might do it.

- Andrey Vasilevskiy is one of the Salavat Yulaev`s wards who became best goalie in NHL. You`ve got a chance to play against him abroad.  What are you memories about his play?
- He is really good goalie. Big guy, fast, really skilled. I was hard to score for him.

- Well, in conclusion we have to ask you abbot Connor McDavid with whom you played in Edmonton Oilers. Is he really that great?
- Yes, he is awesome! He can do everything on the ice so fast. It was crazy when I was playing with him. You can just say: «Wow». Great player!

 -There are some many famous hockey players-brothers: Ruttu, Kapanen, Koivu, you…. Is any secret in developing hockey players in Finland?
- It is good question. Maybe it is happens because parents usually choose the same sport for younger kids as older have chosen.

-Why did you choose this shirt number?
- When I played in Finland I had number 11. When I came first time to the training camp in Calgary I `ve got shirt number 60. I liked that number and decided to keep it.  And there are no so many players with this shirt number.

-It is interesting that you played only for Canadian clubs in the NHL.  It was you principle decision?
- Really! I'm not 100% sure, but there are three or four players like me in the world. This is the western part of Canada - Calgary, Vancouver and Edmonton, all these teams often play against each other, and that's probably why I was able to play for three clubs in the NHL at once