\u201cI have couple surgeries is just what I can say now,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s just a tough time for me, tough mentally, tough for my body. Now I feel much better. \u2026Every day, step by step.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have lots I can say about how tough time for me, [but] very tough time for my girlfriend \u2013 because she every day together with me\u2026it\u2019s tougher for her more, probably.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, just what I can say now, just happy \u2013 happy a little bit close to the guys, and skate together.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also discussed the early season, when he played through injury and when he realized he would need surgery.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne problem I have a long time, and different problem just started in training camp,\u201d he explained. \u201cYou know, its probably after September. It\u2019s every day \u2013 just no feel good. It\u2019s every day, I feel this. I feel when I skate, and when I off ice, when I go to sleep. It\u2019s every day.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I try my best, I try to play, I try come back every time. And just after every game, I just feel more, and more, and more. One moment, I just understand that I no can play, because this is too much for me and dangerous for my future and for my career.\u201d<\/p>\n
Additionally, Kochetkov also spoke about when he believes he could return.<\/p>\n
\u201cTough to say. It\u2019s the first time when I skate with team. It\u2019s very good for me, because I want to understand where I am now. When you skate with goalie coach, it\u2019s tough to understand where you are now, what your level.<\/p>\n
As expected of Kochetkov, when debating his reasoning for not yet being ready to play, he took a moment to crack a quick joke about teammate Andrei Svechnikov, who sent quite a few pucks his way during practice.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, \u2018Svechy\u2019 scored me couple \u2013 it\u2019s probably bad moment for me, and I don\u2019t know, probably very from play if he scored me.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, just need more time, and I hope to understand after a couple practices\u2026maybe a couple games, I don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n
While it\u2019s far too soon to speculate when Kochetkov could return to the crease, his return to practice is a big step forward in his recovery.<\/p>\n
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