The Russians are coming:
Now that the 2001-02 Russian Super League and Upper League seasons have come to a close, the post season dust of transfers and roster cuts is starting to settle. Some players find out their services are no longer needed with their current clubs, while others leave their teams on their own initiative. There are also a select few who, at the end of their contract with their Russian team, are eyeing intently across the ocean towards North America thinking – “Am I strong enough?” For many it will be a short visit to North America for the training camp and back to Russia. Some have already been there and returned to Russia after their unsuccessful first, second or just another one of many attempts to make it in the NHL. For several, it will be their first trip to North America and first impressions go a long way. Not just first impressions the team’s management and coaches have of the player, but also the impressions the player has of North America. Here are a few of the more notable players who will make their way to North America from Russia and likely make a notable impact.
Anton Volchenkov – Ottawa Senators
Anton Volchenkov’s anticipated arrival in Ottawa Senators ’01 training camp was spoiled by the inability of the team’s management and Anton’s agent to reach a contract agreement. Coming off a solid 00-01 season, Anton felt his market value was that of an NHL caliber defenseman. During the season, he played on the Soviet Wings second defensive pairing and helped the team ascend from the Russian secondary Upper League into the premier Super League.
After failing to reach an agreement with the Ottawa Senators, he returned to the Soviet Wings, which now faced a challenging task of surviving in the competitive Super League. That year the Soviet Wings not only survived, but made a long awaited appearance in the playoffs. During the season Anton was the team’s top defenseman, logging over 25 minutes almost every game on the top defensive pairing with Buffalo Sabres prospect Denis Denisov. Offensively, his production more then doubled from the previous season, which is impressive considering the level of competition in the Super League. He quarterbacked the Soviet Wings’ top power play unit and had his hand in many of Alexander Frolov’s, the team’s top sniper, goals.
In the Super League quarterfinals, the Soviet Wings were pinned against the top Russian team and the eventual Super League champion, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. The Wings attempted to compensate for the team’s clear disadvantage in talent with physical hockey, seemingly attempting to eliminate Lokomotiv’s best players. The tactic did not accomplish much beyond creating a wave of outrage in the world of Russian hockey. The Soviet Wings were eliminated in three games and all Anton had to show for the series were 29 penalty minutes and no points.
In December ’01, Anton was awarded by his peers the honor of captaining the Russian National Team at the 2002 U20 World Junior Championships in Czech Republic. Anton led the team on and off the ice. Russia’s head coach, Vladimir Plyuschev, used the Volchenkov-Grebeshkov defensive pairing in all situations. Anton quarterbacked Russia’s top power play unit, showcasing his great hockey sense and hard shot. Anton’s individual performance did not go unnoticed and he was named to the tournament’s second all star team. Anton’s was instrumental to Russia leaving the Czech Republic with gold medals hanging from their necks, vindicating themselves from the team’s poor ’01 showing.
During the 01-02 season Anton Volchenkov showcased his ability to dominate his own end of the ice, contribute offensively and lead by example. In June, 2002 the Senators signed him to a three year deal. He matured significantly and will make an impact in Ottawa’s training camp. When he attends the camp, a roster spot in the Ottawa’s lineup is his to lose, unless Ottawa’s management will make an upfront decision to develop him in the AHL for a season.
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- Eugene Belashchenko Editor-in-Chief www.russianprospects.com Russian Correspondent www.hockeysfuture.com |
