Mikhail Grigorenko

History

2009-10: Mikhail Grigorenko represented Russia in the 2009 Ivan Hlinka (U18) Memorial Tournament at the 2010 World U-17 Hockey Challenge and skated for CSKA Moscow's 1993-born team. At the Ivan Hlinka tournament he scored one goal in four games and had two penalty minutes. He was Russia's second-leading scorer at the World Hockey Challenge behind Alexander Khokhlachev – finishing with 4 goals and 6 assists in six games. In 21 games for CSKA Moscow, Grigorenko scored 19 goals with 25 assists and had 6 goals with 6 assists in six games at the Russian U17 Championships.

2010-11: Grigorenko played for CSKA-Red Army Moscow in Russia's Minor Hockey League (MHL). In 43 games, he scored 17 goals and added 18 assists and was plus-nine. In 10 playoff games, Grigorenko scored 1 goal and added 4 assists for 5 points for the MHL champions. Grigorenko played for Russia at the 2010 World Junior A Challenge, scoring 3 goals and adding 3 assists in four games. Grigorenko also played for Russia at the 2011 U-18 World Junior Championship, scoring 4 goals and adding 14 assists in seven games for the bronze medal squad. Grigorenko was chosen in the first round, 8th overall, of the 2011 KHL Draft by CSKA Moscow and was chosen in the first round, 2nd overall, of the 2011 CHL Import Draft by the QMJHL's Quebec Remparts.

2011-12: Grigorenko skated for the Quebec Remparts in his first season in North America and also represented Russia at the 2012 U20 World Junior Championships. Grigorenko was the second-leading scorer for the Remparts, finishing with 40 goals and 45 assists and was plus-35 with 12 penalty minutes in 64 games. In 11 playoff games he scored 3 goals with 7 assists and was -2 with 4 PMs. Grigorenko skated in 6 of 7 games at the WJC for silver-medal winning Russia, suffering a minor ankle injury against Latvia. He scored 2 goals with 3 assists in the tournament. Grigorenko was the third-ranked North American skater in the final Central Scouting rankings prior to the 2012 NHL draft.

 

Talent Analysis

A big man in the pivot position, Grigorenko is still adjusting to the North American game. Offensively, he displays great patience with the puck and the ability to find open ice or feed a pass to an open man. Although he has been criticized for his consistency and intensity, Grigorenko played through a handful of injuries during the year and his talent level is undeniable. A smooth skater with great hands, he made strides during the season to play a more all-around game.

 

Future

Grigorenko has an outside shot at making the big club, but he will have to compete with Cody Hodgson and Tyler Ennis. Since the Sabres are in no rush, Grigorenko will stay with the Remparts under Patrick Roy for a little longer.