On January 9th, we sat down with Bears rookie goaltender Ilya Samsonov and a translator. That same day he requested a number change. Since then, he’s become one of Hershey’s most valuable assets.

Why did he request that number change, how is he feeling about his first season in North America, and much more was discussed. Below is our full interview with Samsonov. Then check out our profile on the netminder.

Chocolate Hockey: What have been your impressions of the AHL so far?

Ilya Samsonov: I would say good league. Great speed. I’m looking at it as my bridge to the NHL.

CH: What have been some challenges for you in your transition from the KHL to the AHL?

IS: I would say most difficult was the language barrier. This is the second team in my life I’ve played for. I never played for another team, plus a different country too. It was very difficult at the beginning. We were losing a lot of games. It’s kinda stuck in my mind. I had to take that uncertain from me. Now everything is perfect.

CH: From the beginning of the season and the rough start you had, do you feel better with your comfort level this league?

IS: Yeah, absolutely.

CH: What is it been like living in Hershey, learning this culture, and living in the United States for the first time?

IS: It’s a nice city. Not much you can do here. At most what is in my mind is hockey. We are professionals and that’s all that’s in my mind: hockey. And I actually like that it’s a small town because you can concentrate on the game only. Nothing will distract you.

CH: What’s it been like learning a new language?

IS: Well I wasn’t paying much attention in the school to English language. But whenever I was playing, every year I was spending at least two-three months in America. I knew I had to learn English. I put some efforts towards that.

CH: Are you watching any movies or tv shows learn English?

IS: When I am at home, I’m trying to watch some English programs. But of course I would prefer to watch something in Russian. [Laughs]

CH: Do you have any movies or tv shows that you like?

IS: Right now I am concentrating on NFL and trying to understand the rules and everything.

CH: Any favorite team yet?

IS: Not yet. I’m still trying to understand. [Laughs]

CH: Have there been specific guys on this team that have helped you this year?

IS: Nathan Walker. Vitek Vanecek. To be honest, every guy is nice. They will approach me and help. There is no problem at all. Everyone is helpful. They always ask me to go somewhere and some events.

CH: What’s it been like working with goalie coach Alex Westlund?

IS: I have to adjust myself from the big rink to the smaller rink. It was one of the difficult things. Already in the NHL is different type of game. I have to adjust myself to that too.

CH: What’s your relationship with Vitek like?

IS: Perfect. Super.

CH: At practice, you guys are always smiling and laughing. Are you bouncing questions off him all the time?

IS: We always have to keep ourselves positives. We do a lot of common things together. So we have to stay positive.

CH: What do you hope to accomplish in the second half of the season, hopefully leading to a playoff run?

IS: Well I want to play in NHL and play hockey.

CH: How do you feel about this Hershey team right now going forward?

IS: I think everything is going to be okay. We just have to concentrate on some little things. We have to work harder on the ice to win the game. And we have to overwork all the competitors. And then is going to be a great team.

CH: I saw some of your old goalie masks with video game characters on them from Assassin’s Creed and God of War. Are you a big video game fan?

IS: It has nothing to do with me being a fan of the games. I have at least at least 10 or 15 of those helmets and it was just putting whatever was there on them. To me it’s not a big deal. Right now I’ve been asked ‘What do you want on your helmet?’ I said ‘I don’t care, whatever you want just put it there.’

Voice of the Bears Zack Fisch: I understand you want to switch your number from 1 to 35. What’s special about 35?

IS: No, 51. Not 35.

Zack Fisch: What’s special about 51?

IS: I don’t know. I don’t like to play with number 1. It makes me uncomfortable. With the number 51 I’ve been playing with since childhood.