Legendary Russian coach Victor Tikhonov about Fedorov and Semin

Sport-Express, May 20, 2008:

Q.: What can you say about Sergei Fedorov?

Tikhonov: I simply do not have the words to describe his play! Nobody could expect that 38-year-old Sergei would be able to play so awesome, both in offense and in defence! I think that Fedorov is the great master who helped this team tremendously not only on ice, but also in the locker room because the younger players rubbed off Sergei's work ethic and followed him.

Q.: How does today's Fedorov differ from Fedorov debuted in your USSR team at the World Championship in 1989?

Tikhonov: Even when Sergei was 19 years old, it was clear that he will be a great master, an extra-class player. Of course he slowed down a bit, but it goes unnoticed because of his experience and wisdom. He reads the play in advance and sees all possible ways the opponent's offence is developing, and he is always at the right place.

Q. Alex Semin was another pleasant discovery...

Tikhonov: His game at the World Championship once again demonstrated that the National team's Coaches made a mistake a year ago.

[Semin was fired from the National team last year for being late to training camp]