Kulbakov bids farewell to Torpedo: 'We were one family'
Ivan Kulbakov played for Nizhny Novgorod«s Torpedo for four seasons.
Former Torpedo HC goaltender Ivan Kulbakov addressed the fans with a farewell post. He thanked the team for the emotions, the fight, and the support, wishing them «victories, development, and a great future.»
The move was part of a trade with Vladivostok«s Admiral. Torpedo acquired goaltender Dmitri Shugayev and forward Igor Geraskin, while Kulbakov headed to the Primorye-based club.
Torpedo General Manager Yevgeny Zabuga explained: «The club made a difficult decision regarding the transfer of Ivan Kulbakov, who needs consistent playing time, especially considering that on June 1 he will become an Unrestricted Free Agent. Initially, we considered a trade with one of the top clubs in the Eastern Conference, but we couldn»t agree on the terms of the transfer.«
Kulbakov spent four years with the Nizhny Novgorod team. The athlete emphasized that they «truly were one family.»
On social media, the hockey player wrote: «It was an incredible time that will forever remain in my heart and memory with the warmest feelings. I sincerely wish the city and the Torpedo hockey club only victories, development, and a great future. Nizhny Novgorod is not just a hockey city, it is a city of sincere, kind, and truly loving people. Until we meet again at the hockey rink.»
The player«s wife Valeria Kulbakova, a blogger and Torpedo fan, also shared her emotions: »Right now it«s hard to find the words, emotions are overwhelming, my pulse is racing, and in my soul there is both gratitude and pain at the same time. Nizhny Novgorod became a real home for us. Here we met people who gave us sincere love, support, and care. Thank you to everyone who was by our side.»
