BROOKLYN, N.Y. — St. Francis College Brooklyn rising junior Nikita Prokhin will compete for Canada at the 2017 World University Games in Taipai, Tawain, on August 19-30.
Congratulations Nikita, what was your reaction to making the team?
I was really happy. It was always dream of mine to play for my country since I was a kid. My dad and uncle both were Olympians. I’m really excited to go. 
What was the process like in trying to make the team?
My old club coach, Nishant Damani, is the assistant coach for Team Canada. He encouraged me to play in a tournament in Canada and I had to get permission from the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association). Our team finished second and I had a few nice games. I scored four goals in one of the matches and had two goals in the semifinals. The WUG roster came out soon after with me on the team.
What will it be like to represent your country at the event?
It’s going to be great. It’s my first time playing for Canada. I actually have dual citizenship in Kazakhstan and Canada. I have competed for Kazakhstan in other international competition but my family moved to Canada when I was 10 and I gained citizenship in 2014.
Has your experience at St. Francis Brooklyn helped contribute to you making the team?
Yes definitely. The game is much more physical at this level and we train much harder in the gym. I think I’m able to see the game better, have gained strength, and I’m much better on defense because it’s played much harder in the NCAA.
What have the coaches told you about what your role will be?
Not much yet. I believe that I will play the driver position and should be a starter. I know the focus is really going to be on defense.
Has practice started? How many days a week is practice and how many hours?
I fly to Canada to begin training with the team on July 30. I have been training on my own over the last month, five days a week swimming and in the gym to prepare. Once practice begins, we will practice at the University of Toronto two days a week for two weeks. We will then fly out to Taiwan to get a full week of practice before the event begins.
Do you know any of your teammates or coaches from previous experiences?
I know many of them through playing club ball. Many of them were rivals and some are friends. I have never met the head coach.
Have the coaches talked about team goals yet?
They just want us to play our best and use solid team tactics. We are in a very difficult group with defending champion Serbia along with Hungry and South Africa.
What else are you looking forward to in Taiwan?
I have never been there so I’m looking forward to experiencing the culture and exploring the sites. We will be staying in the athletes’ village so it should be fun meeting the other athletes. I’m really looking forward to the entire event. I think the training and international experience should really help me when our season starts at St. Francis. The guys are really excited and determined to win our conference this season.
Release courtesy St. Francis College Brooklyn Athletics Communications
