Andrei Karejev, a Russian goalkeeper who was one of the absolute key players of the Finnish Championship silver team TPS, decided to join Salavat Yulayev Ufa of the KHL club. The goalkeeper tells Sports how he ended up returning to his home country.
21:00 • Updated 9:02 PM
Russian watchman Andrei Karejev played a significant role when the Turku Palloseura made its way to the finals of the Finnish Championship League for the second time in a row during the past season.
Karejev, 27, one of the league’s elite guards (regular season combat percentage 92.1), also had a contract with TPS for next season, but in early June, Salavat Yulayev Ufa announced that the fighter would continue his career in the KHL.
Karejev’s transfer was spectacularly covered in the Russian media. Sports magazine Sport Ekspress disc editor Andrei Shevtshenko wrote (moving to another service) Karejev is leaving Finland for political reasons. Karejev now emphatically denies that claim.
– It had nothing to do with politics. Family reasons led to the decision, as some of the followers of hockey in Finland probably know. I had to get close to my family, Karejev, who is currently on holiday outside Russia, says to Urheil by phone.
– My wife and I felt that we had to return to our homeland with the family. It was a difficult decision for us that we considered for a long time. However, we decided that the coming season would be better to play in Russia.
– Multiplier Arille (Moisanen, goalkeeper coach) and TPS management for my solution. It seemed to me that Rauli Urama and the rest of the club leadership were surprised by the decision. They are demanding compensation of 150,000 euros as a condition of my transfer, Karejev says.
The hockey player feels that the intervals have remained good despite the separation of the roads.
– I wished success to the team and the coaches. We are living in a time now that I did not think was surprising. I believe that family is more important than work for every person.
Karejev played for two seasons in Turku, during which he became one of the best goalkeepers in the league.
The Russian watchman has praised the level of the Finnish Championship League, his cooperation with goalkeeper coach Ari Moisanen and the standard of living in Finland.
– I gained important experience at TPS. Two silver medals are a good result, although the brightest goal has not been achieved.
The world political situation changed radically on February 24, when Russia invaded Ukraine. According to Karejev, the events in Ukraine did not affect his life in Finland.
– I got support from the club and I didn’t have any problems. I got to live in peace and do my job as a hockey player, he says, but I don’t want to swell any more than the current world situation.
Karejev joins Salavat Yulev’s strength in July as the team gathers for training camp. According to Russian media reports, the club has promised plenty of playing time and a salary bag of 35 million rubles (at the current rate of about 590,000 euros).
The goalkeeper moved to TPS in the spring of 2020 from the Ufa team because he felt that he did not get enough responsibility in the club. The Russian guard had remained Salavat Julayev’s then number one opponent Juha Metsolan shadow.
Now Metsola and countless other Western players have left KHL behind, as have clubs Dinamo Riga and the Jokers.
How will it show up next season at the league level?
– I don’t think anyone can say that at this point. This will be the first such season. Time will tell.
Karejev says he is still seeking entry into the NHL, but is moving forward day by day.
– My goal is to develop all the time. The next goal is to play a good season in Salavat Julayev.