Patrick Thoresen joins SKA St. Petersburg

SKA have signed a two-year contract with former Salavat Yulaev forward Patrick Thoresen, according to the official site of the St. Petersburg club. In his new team the Norwegian will play under number 41.

Thoresen’s agreement with Salavat Yulaev has expired at the end of the last season and he has left the club citing family circumstances.

Speaking about his transfer Thoresen said he didn’t come to Russia to hold negotiations or sign the contract: «I was in Norway when the contract was being signed – we did all the necessary procedures by fax,» said Thoresen in an interview with Sport-Express.

«Were the negotiations difficult?»

«You’d better ask my agent about it: he conducted all the talks with the management of the St. Petersburg team. But I called him regularly and he told me how everything was going.»

«Your interviews in the Norwegian media suggested that you consider the NHL to be your priority option. What has changed?»

«The press can not always be trusted. My words have been a little misrepresented: I did not say my main objective was to play in the NHL, I only said that I want to be with my family all the time and that is the main thing for me. My children have grown up, started going to school and now they need schools where they could study in English. I know that St. Petersburg has good English schools and all the conditions for my family to live there.»

«It means, your choice was very much influenced by the fact that you would play in St. Petersburg?»

«Yes, after two years in Russia I can tell you that I fell in love with this city, though I’ve only been there four times for several days. I also like St. Petersburg because it’s not so big as Moscow, there aren’t so many jams and such a mad traffic. Let alone the architecture and the beautiful places. Moreover, SKA have one of the best fans in Russia, each game gathers some 10-12 thousand people and for me it’s an important thing. In addition to that next season SKA will battle for the Gagarin Cup – it’s very important for me to lift it once again.»

During the last regular championship the Norwegian has scored 66 (29+37) points in 54 matches. His play-off recoed last season has made 18 (3+15) points in 21 game.