In the late 70′s, singers Dan Fogelberg and Tim Weisberg collaborated on a folksy-rock album called “Twin Sons of Different Mothers”. That title could aptly describe two young, Toronto Maple Leafs defensive prospects, Dimitri Yakushin and Chris Bogas. Bogas is toiling for The Michigan State Wolverines as a senior defenseman and Yakushin is learning his trade as a defenseman for the St. John’s Maple Leafs as a rookie in the AHL.
“The thing that grabs you about Dimitri’s game is his poise for the puck. Rookie defensemen in the AHL often look to give up the puck as soon as they receive it. Dimitri has that confidence that he is going to look for the right play to make. He doesn’t panic with the puck”, states Chris Schwartz, St. John’s director of media relations for the club. “He has some of the same puckhandling moxie of Tomas Kaberle”, Schwartz adds.
“He wants the puck in the tough situations, with the game on the line. His size and toughness are excellent, but his skating and puckhandling sets him apart as well”, says MSU head coach Ron Mason about his senior defenseman, Chris Bogas. “His role has changed a bit over the years at MSU”, he states. “Chris has filled the role of tough-defenseman, adding offense from the blueline and working the special teams as we have needed it. He has filled those roles very well”, Mason adds. “He jumped right into our program as a freshman and hasn’t looked back ever since”.
Read more»
