25 июля 2001 года.
Интервью с А.Касатоновым // "Спорт-Экспресс"

Нужны ли хоккею ледовые "полицейские"? Каков круг их обязанностей? Каковы они в повседневной жизни? Ответ на эти вопросы дает один из лучших российских специалистов по НХЛ, прославленный в прошлом защитник ЦСКА, "Нью-Джерси", "Анахайма", "Сент-Луиса" и "Бостона", двукратный олимпийский чемпион Алексей Касатонов, которому в Северную Америку в его хоккейную школу в Детройте позвонил корреспондент "СЭ". 

СКАЗКИ ДЛЯ ДЕТЕЙ И БОИ ДЛЯ ВЗРОСЛЫХ 

- Алексей, каково ваше личное отношение к бойцам? 
- Мое мнение однозначно: в НХЛ такие хоккеисты необходимы. Считаю, что они являются своеобразными помощниками арбитров. 

- В чем это выражается? 
- Наличие в каждой команде бойца гарантирует ее лидерам относительно спокойную жизнь. Мало кто из соперников рискнет сыграть грязно и тем самым обеспечить себе свидание с тафгаем. Кроме того, не 
секрет, что игроки этого амплуа привлекают на трибуны болельщиков. Вспоминаю, например, что в те годы, когда я играл в "Анахайме", некоторые зрители приходили смотреть не столько игру Пола Карий, 
сколько бои Стю "Комбайна" Гримсона или Тодда Юэна. 

- Слышал, что последний считался в НХЛ самым оригинальным "полицейским" - в свободное от драк время он сочинял и иллюстрировал сказки для детей. 
- Да, Юэн слыл в лиге большим чудаком. Вот только жаль, что его карьера рано завершилась (из-за постоянных травм костяшек кулаков он оказался безработным. - "СЭ"). 

 КРАУДЕРА ВЫЗВАЛИ "ПОД ФЕТИСОВА" 

- Кроме "Анахайма" вы выступали в "Нью-Джерси", "Сент-Луисе" и "Бостоне". Кто из бойцов этих команд вам запомнился? 
- В "Бостоне" и "Сент-Луисе" в середине 90-х годов ярко выраженных бойцов не было, да и играл за эти клубы я совсем недолго. А вот "Нью-Джерси" в то время славился Троем Краудером, профессиональным боксером с превосходными физическими данными: рост - 195 см, вес - 102 кг. До сих пор не могу забыть его бой с Бобом Пробертом из "Детройта" - лучшим "полицейским" НХЛ 90-х годов! Тогда Проберт вернулся на лед после продолжительной дисквалификации за использование наркотиков и был настроен очень агрессивно. Тем не менее наш Краудер, который специально несколько недель готовился именно к этому бою, все-таки победил. 

- Вне площадки "полицейские" столь же агрессивны, как и на льду? 
- Наоборот, они самые миролюбивые люди. Взять того же Краудера, который в "Нью-Джерси" был моим лучшим другом. С ним не заскучаешь - то он учит тебя приемам ледового боксера, то разыгрывает кого-нибудь из одноклубников в раздевалке, то веселит тренеров. Мне, помню, он постоянно в шутку говорил: "Алекс, пока ты не научишься драться, настоящего человека из тебя не получится". 

- Защищают ли североамериканские бойцы легионеров из Европы? 
- Естественно. Краудер, например, был вызван из фарм-клуба специально для силового прикрытия Вячеслава Фетисова, который в те годы враждовал с форвардом "Торонто" Уэнделом Кларком. В результате Кларк о Фетисове забыл, а на атаковавшего этого канадца Краудера был вынужден выйти главный боец "Торонто" Джон Кордик (в середине 90-х годов этот индеец, пристрастившийся к наркотикам, умер. - "СЭ"). 

     РОССИИ БОЙЦЫ ПРИГОДЯТСЯ 

- Многие называют сражения "полицейских" специально срежиссированным спектаклем. Это так? 
- Чушь! Никаких боев "понарошку" в НХЛ, поверьте, нет. Там есть жестокие бои профессионально выученных ледовых гладиаторов, которые проходят на высочайшем боксерском уровне. Ни одному из российских новичков в НХЛ я бы не советовал с этими ребятами шутить. 

- Нужны ли бойцы российскому чемпионату? 
- Сложный вопрос. Согласитесь, что процесс внедрения "полицейских" в Суперлигу уже пошел, и его не остановить. Думаю, президенты клубов и арбитры должны выработать специальные правила, в соответствии с которыми бойцы бы действовали на льду. Этот кодекс должен запретить ставшие для нашего хоккея характерными сражения "двое против одного" и в то же время развязать руки профессиональным "полицейским". Их, мне кажется, нельзя автоматически удалять до конца игры только за одну потасовку, как это принято в России. 

- Значит, вы все-таки являетесь сторонниками ледовых боксеров? 
- Уверен, что с их появлением в России хоккей станет чище. А пока, на мой взгляд, наш чемпионат - самый грязный в мире. 

Игорь ЛАРИН 

© При использовании материалов газеты ссылка на "СПОРТ-ЭКСПРЕСС" обязательна. 

23 июня 1994 года. 
Kasatonov strengthens the defense // Boston Globe

 The Bruins bolstered their defensive corps yesterday, signing free agent Alexei Kasatonov to a two-year deal (one year plus an option) that reportedly will pay him $650,000 per season.

Kasatonov, who turns 35 in October, played part of last season with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim after being acquired in the expansion draft. He finished the year with the Blues, being dealt to St. Louis at the March deadline.

"We signed Alexei to ensure proper depth for the coming season on defense and also to ensure the team's continued strength on the power play and specialty teams," said Bruins president/general manager Harry Sinden. "With this signing, we protect ourselves against any eventuality."

That eventuality, in part, stems from the uncertainty concerning defenseman Glen Wesley, a free agent. Sinden said he is prepared for the possibility that Wesley won't be back next season.

Kasatonov was a mainstay of the Soviet Union's Central Red Army team for 12 years. He represented the Soviet Union in eight world championships and three Olympics.

He was drafted by the Devils in 1983 and joined New Jersey in 1989, playing three-plus seasons in a Devils uniform.

Last year he had four goals and 20 assists in 63 games, 55 of them with Anaheim.

"He has a Raymond Bourque-type body," said Bruins coach Brian Sutter of Kasatonov, who is 6 feet 1 inch, 215 pounds. "It's a big-time plus for us."

Sinden meets agents

As expected, the representatives for right wing Cam Neely met with Sinden regarding a contract for the free agent. Jay Fee, who along with Morris Goldings talked with Sinden, characterized it as a "very businesslike meeting." "We've agreed to keep the lines of communication open," said Fee, who added that no second meeting had been scheduled. Fee said he's expecting Neely to become a restricted free agent July 1.

Milbury a finalist?

Mike Milbury said he cannot confirm published reports that he is one of six finalists for the Quebec Nordiques coaching job. "I don't know who any finalists are," said Milbury, who quit as Boston College hockey coach recently, two months after resigning as Bruins assistant GM to take the Eagle job.

He did say he's interested in the Quebec job as well as the vacant Hartford job.

"I think {Quebec would} be very concerned about hiring a non-Francophone," Milbury said.

23 января 1994 года. 
Kasatonov enjoys reunion ALL-STAR GAME: The Russian defenseman considers it an honor to play alongside former members of the great Soviet teams // The Orange County Register

Alexei Kasatonov said he was doubly proud Saturday afternoon, even though his Western Conference team didn't win the 45th NHL All-Star Game.

The Mighty Ducks' defenseman said it was "an honor" to be the first All-Star in the first-year franchise's history.

And, making it even better, Kasatonov said, was the presence on the ice of four fellow Russians, plus two Latvians who trained and played in the same system before the breakup of the Soviet Union.

"I think the Russian people should be proud, because there are so many of our players in the NHL," Kasatonov said, after the West was edged, 9-8, with one of his fellow Russians, Alexei Yashin, scoring the winning goal for the East.

"I'm proud, too," Kasatonov said. "Russia is not just represented in the NHL, there are a lot of great players: (Sergei) Fedorov, (Pavel) Bure, (Alexander) Mogilny."

At one point during the second period, the Kings' Barry Melrose, coaching the West, turned Madison Square Garden into almost a Russia House.

In goal was Arturs Irbe of Latvia, who played three years for the Central Red Army and the Soviet national team; Kasatonov's partner on defense was Sandis Ozolinsh (who scored two goals in the game) of Latvia; Fedorov was at center, and Bure on right wing. The only non-USSR product on the ice for the West was left wing Brendan Shanahan, a Canadian.

"As the game went on," Kasatonov said, "the coach tried to play us (he and Ozolinsh) more and more with the other Russian players. Playing with Fedorov, Ozolinsh scored two goals and I got some good chances."

Kasatonov, who has mostly been a stay-at-home defenseman in the Ducks' conservative system, got two shots in close but was denied by Patrick Roy in the first period and John Vanbiesbrouck in the third.

"I don't know what kind of hockey I show out there," Kasatonov said, "but I was just so glad to be the first Mighty Duck in All-Star Game. It was fun. I had a great time, and it was a great level of play."

Fedorov, 10 years Kastonov's junior at age 24, had played with the legendary Russian defenseman for three years with Central Red Army and said it was a thrill to be reunited with him in the All-Star Game.

"I played with him already," Fedorov said, "but it was amazing to play with him in All-Star Game. It was like all the best players (in Russia) got together for one game."

23 декабря 1990 года. 
RED DEVIL DENIES HE WAS COACH'S SPY // New York Daily News. Sun Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale

 EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New Jersey Devil Alexei Kasatonov denies allegations made in a Swedish newspaper last week that he had spied on Viacheslav Fetisov, keeping a diary that was turned over to coach Viktor Tikhonov while they played in for the Central Red Army from 1986-88.

The article in Sweden, using TASS hockey writer Vladimir Dvortson as its source, said the two defensemen, who play for the Devils, were made roommates by their bosses so Kasatonov could keep detailed reports of Fetisov's "outside life, every late arrival, his drinking habits" and other tidbits from the 10 months a year they spent together.

According to the story, Kasatonov's wife would act as a courier, taking the diary to Tikhonov's wife. The diary, kept during years when Fetisov won the Gold Stick as Europe's best player, came to light when Fetisov was growing insistent about playing in the NHL. Tikhonov pulled the diary from his desk and reportedly said "it could make it very difficult" for Fetisov.

"I can't even comment on such an outrageous statement," Kasatonov said after the Devils' practice. "It's such a fantastic fabrication. I'm shocked and appalled."

Fetisov confirmed that "Tikhonov had a book of all my movements. As far as who wrote that book, I have no proof who wrote it. On that, one can only speculate."

Fetisov said players lived in fear of Tikhonov's "black book," adding the coach would always threaten to use the information against them. He compared the situation to "the Stalin years."

Fetisov and several others from that Central Red Army team who are playing in the NHL do not speak to Kasatonov off the ice. It has been assumed the rift began because Kasatonov took a party line and refused to join Fetisov and several others of the Red Army team in their efforts to join the NHL. When the two finally received permission to leave last year, they wound up being paired on the same team again.

The chill is always apparent. "We go separate ways when we are not playing hockey," Fetisov said, not elaborating.

Perhaps Fetisov reveals specific reasons for the deep animosity in a book that he wrote for release in Russia. Fetisov has said his book will make some people unhappy. But the Swedish story, if true, would explain the hostility.

"I wish people would just write about hockey and forget the rest," Fetisov said.

28 декабря 1989 года. 
Devil's signing of Kasatonov has enemy Fetisov seeing red // New York Times

The New Jersey Devils have signed another Soviet defenceman, to the consternation of their more famous Soviet player.

Alexei Kasatonov was signed Dec. 11, but the Devils kept it a secret until yesterday when all the necessary paperwork was completed.

Viacheslav Fetisov, whom the Devils signed last summer and is perhaps the best known of all Soviet players, said the signing of the 30-year-old Kasatonov would upset the team's chemistry.

"I'm not happy," Fetisov said about Kasatonov's joining the Devils.

"There is good atmosphere with the team now. This is a good, stable team now."

A rift had developed between Fetisov and Kasatonov over the past two years because Kasatonov didn't support Fetisov and other Soviet players who wanted to leave the Soviet Union to join National Hockey League teams.

Lou Lamoriello, the president and general manager of the Devils, said, however, that the chemistry of the team would "under no circumstances" be upset by Kasatonov's signing.

But coach John Cunniff of the Devils said he wasn't sure what would happen.

Cunniff said he didn't know whether Fetisov's disenchantment with Kasatonov would affect the team's play.

He said rifts off the ice between players don't necessarily carry onto the ice.

In any event, the Devils didn't take any chances. They assigned Kasatonov to their minor-league team, the Utica (N.Y.) Devils of the American Hockey League.

The explanation for Kasatonov's immediate dispatch to Utica was that he needed conditioning and needed to acclimate himself to life in this country.

Sergei Starikov, who was signed by the Devils last July along with Fetisov, was also sent to Utica for conditioning.

Fetisov, who had urged the Devils to sign Starikov, showed amazement about Starikov's assignment to Utica. "I'm going to Utica next?" he asked reporters.

Lamoriello adhered to team policy in refusing to reveal details of Kasatonov's contract. He said, however, that he dealt directly with the player and nothing was paid to the Soviet hockey federation.

Kasatonov comes to the Devils after 12 seasons with the Central Red Army team, where he played with Fetisov and Starikov.

He joined the national team in 1979, playing in three Olympics and winning two gold medals.

"He's bech of a player," Cunniff said about Kasatonov. "I say him last August in Finland. He can definitely play in the NHL."