Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of www.RussianProspects.com
- Name: Andrei Popov
- Position: RW
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 187 lbs
- Birthdate: 1988-07-15
- Eligible for Draft: 2006
- Drafted:
- Hometown: ,
- Acquired: 2006 NHL Draft by Philadelphia
- Playing In: Europe
Andrei Popov
Prospect Grade: 6.5 D (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: Eugene Belashchenko
History
Andrei Popov is the product of Chelyabnsk’s Traktor hockey school. The young forward has spent most of his career thus far in that city. He has also been a member of Russian regional team Ural for 88 born regional comeption since the squad’s inception. Popov’s value has been noticed on several occasions, as he has been borrowed by several stronger hockey schools including Metallurg (Magnitagorsk), to compete in the latter stages of the junior league playoffs when Traktor was eliminated. Popov made his High League (Russia 2) debut during the 2004-05 season, instantly making an impact with the club and earning significant playing time. Unless the High League club fulfills current plans to return to the Super League (Russia 1), this young forward will likely follow another Traktor Chelyabinsk product, Alexander Semin (Washington Capitals), to the Super League by leaving Chelyabinsk and signing with another club. (More detailed tournament performance recaps are available on RussianProspects.com)
Andrei Popov really came into his own his first professional season, competing against professional adult players in Russia’s second best hockey league.
Talent Analysis
Scout 2: Possesses a very good vision of the ice…controls and protects the puck well…possesses a precise wrist shot… above average passer…needs to improve his skating – his acceleration and start speed...also needs to improve his skating technique… effectively uses his size to his advantage, can hit, but does not necessarily look for the physical contact…doesn’t stay away from traffic…has a very good work ethic… player, who can become a power forward similar to Keith Primeau…defensively, he is a winger, so doesn’t come back on defense as much, instead looking to go on the offensive…Traktor’s head coach Tsygurov taught him how to play better defensively this season in the High League (Russia 2).
Future
The young forward has the size and immense raw talent to become a force in the NHL. However, he also has plenty of areas to improve upon, most noticeably his motivation and aggressiveness on the ice.
Stats
Stats Coming Soon...
Profile Last Updated: November, 20th 2006
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