This past week Artur Oktyabrev made his home coaching debut for HSC Csíkszereda and it was a success as they won their first game of the season, which they followed up with their second one as well. HSC beat Dunaújváros 5-3 and then won their first Transylvanian derby on home ice against Brasov, playing a large part in the two victories with his three goals and five assists was Latvian international Kirils Tambijevs and that is why he is this week's player of the week.
Kirils comes from Riga Latvia and is the son of former Latvian international and current MHL coach Leonids Tambijevs. After coming up through the youth system of SK Riga he moved on to play his junior hockey in the Russian MHL and spent the majority of last season in the VHL, the Russian second division. One of his former MHL teammates could be familiar to MOL Liga fans as Reinis Demiters played 13 games for Újpest last season. This season he has been a great addition to Csíkszereda as he has 8 points in four games.
What has been reason for you and your team's success in these past two games?
We had some changes on our roster since Friday, we have really played together as a team, all of the lines help out, one scores, one another one holds the lead, the third forechecks, everyone has been playing for the team.
How have you liked playing in Csíkszereda so far?
Its great, I really like the fans, the first two games I was with the team we were playing on the road and I didn’t see the fans which would normally be a great help for us, but I really liked what I saw on home ice, they really helped us and I hope they will be like this all season.
What was the main reason that you decided to sign with the club?
I played four years in Russia, but this season the league cut down on the number of imports that one team can have. Also all the paperwork that the clubs now have to deal with is not really worth it so most teams decided not to have any imports and I think that it will be like this for the next few years. I knew I had to find a new team somewhere else in Europe.
How do you think the team will handle playing over 80 games this season?
I think we will be fine, we have a good training program, we will work hard and we will see. I think overall it won't be a problem
What was it like growing up as the son of Leonids Tambijevs?
My father was my idol I always went to his games, when he played in other parts of Europe we would move to the city where he played in and my mom and I would be at the games. Until about the age of sixteen I was always asking him to show me something new, to teach me.