Learning process never done for Slava Koulikov as Sheffield Steeldogs prepare for pivotal derby showdown
NOW entering his 15th season of coaching, it would be fairly safe to assume there is little Slava Koulikov doesn’t know about his chosen profession.
But the learning process never stops.
While the principles of the game remain the same and the coaching techniques that have been adhered to for years remain, the 48-year-old Sheffield Steeldogs boss insists he is still learning new things all of the time.
Saturday night sees Koulikov lead his team into a crunch National Cup clash with bitter rivals Hull Seahawks at Ice Sheffield knowing defeat could possibly end the Steeldogs’ defence of the crown they won when beating Leeds Knights in overtime over two legs in March this year.
Win and Koulikov and his players are within a point of Hull - who finish their group stage schedule at home to Leeds on Sunday - and with a semi-final spot still to potentially play for in their last two games.
Having spent 11 seasons with Peterborough Phantoms before making the switch to South Yorkshire in the summer of 2025, Koulikov has learned to adapt working in the different kind of environment that he has become part of in terms of the Sheffield Steelers’ organisation.
It paid dividends immediately with winning the National Cup in his first season in charge of the Steeldogs.
But while he rightly backs himself, his methods and his record, Koulikov is quick to acknowledge he is always on a learning curve.
“The learning process is always ongoing, that's the simple answer,” said Russian-born Koulikov. “Because the game never stands still, it is always evolving and you have to evolve with it.
“From my background, my dad was a pro hockey player, and then obviously a pro coach and it was kind of there for me from day one
“And, growing up, you want to be a player, then you want to try to be a coach. And I think one reason behind your continued love for the game is down to the fact that it's not every day the same thing.
“We can say it's the same thing, same routine, you’ve got to prepare for practises, games, videos - but the game is constantly evolving, it keeps moving and that's what makes it interesting for me as a coach and keeps me engaged.”
On his team’s hopes of keeping their Cup defence alive beyond this weekend, Koulikov is aware of the precarious position they are in, currently sat sixth and three points off a top four semi-final place, although they do have a game in hand on both Leeds and Hull who sit fourth and fifth respectively, separated only by the Knights having scored more goals.
Their two Yorkshire rivals meet each other in Hull on Sunday night.
“We all want to be there, every team wants to be there and there are still five, maybe six teams still competing for those four spots,” said Koulikov.
"We’re defending champions, we want to be there and, at the end of the day, you're in charge of your own destiny.
“Right now, it's a great opponent (Hull) in front of us that we need to shake off and get the two points to keep that dream alive.”