---

National Hockey League (NHL) -  Ivan Vishnevsky (Dallas Stars) has just been traded to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange of Finn goalkeeper Kari Lehtonen. This might be a chance for Vishnevsky to get more ice time as he struggled a bit to find some in Dallas. This year he played only five matches in the NHL.

---

Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) -  Igor Makarov (Chicago Blackhawks) has been traded to HC CSKA for former NHL forward Oleg Saprykin (Ottawa Senators). Both players have fallen out of favour with their clubs, as Saprykin has not been “fulfilling the expectations as a team leader”, while Makarov has been edged out by veteran players acquired during the offseason by this high-budget club. Saprykin’s departure may also be due to the club’s significant changes that took place in the offseason with the departure of head coach Vyacheslav Bykov to HC Salavat Yulayev and CSKA being left with a depleted lineup and no ambitions for a strong season. It remains to be seen if the change of scenery will do either forward good, but it is likely that Makarov will get plenty of ice time with his new club.

---

Continental Hockey League (KHL) -  The end of the inaugural KHL season could not have been written a better way than this! Well it could have been with more scoring, but a game seven between the league’s two strongest clubs was a great way to finish it after an entertaining series. The somewhat underdog Kazan came up on top, with Alexei Morozov (Pittsburgh Penguins) scoring the only goal in the last period of the game. The club was an underdog since it has lost a few of its top players in the past two seasons including Sergei Zinovjev (Boston Bruins), Alexei Tereschenko (Dallas Stars) and goalie Alexander Eremenko . However, while some of the replacements have not been as impressive a few young players and newcomers have come up big in the series including Andrei Pervyshin (St. Louis Blues) and Nikita Alexeev (Chicago Blackhawks). Pervyshin has been a long time member of Ak Bars after leaving Lokomotiv but only this year has he become a regular contributor at the top level, while Nikita Alexeev (Chicago Blackhawks) has bounced between Russia and NHL, showing signs of immense potential but failing to break-out in either league. Lokomotiv was close to winning the series on several occasions, but the break down point for the club, despite the series continuing for another week must have been the failure to keep the 3:0 lead in game two that was eventually won by Ak Bars after a spectacular come back. Alexei Yashin and a few imported players are the clear leaders of the squad and it will be interesting to see what happens next year and whether Yashin will remain in Russia or return to the NHL after a two season absence.

---

World Championships -  In the second match team Russia played in Austria against the local National team, head coach Vyacheslav Bykov decided to give more room to the youngsters. If in the first match Evgeni Dadonov (Florida Panthers) and Igor Makarov (Chicago Blackhawks) were left out from the lineup, friday they played a nice role on the team and replied with great perfomances, with the other youngsters who were dressed in the first match, Maxim Goncharov (Phoenix Coyotes) and Andrei Zubarev (Atlanta Thrashers). Also Konstantin Korneev (Montreal Canadiens) was part of the match, but he's a regular with team Russia for the last three years.

It was Maxim Goncharov (Phoenix Coyotes) the one who had the honor of opening the dancing with a big slapshot after a won faceoff in the offensive zone. Maxim Kondratiev (Anaheim Mighty Ducks) made it 2-0 with another big time slapper in the dying seconds for the first period.

After two minutes of the middle period Igor Makarov (Chicago Blackhawks) deflected in a great centering pass by Evgeni Dadonov (Florida Panthers) from the right circle. Three minutes later Andrei Zubarev (Atlanta Thrashers), with a nice top shelf wristshot, finalized a great, quick combination in the offensive zone that seen the puck travelling from Radulov, to Gorovikov and to Atlant's player very quickly

And it was again Zubarev who, with a great breakout pass from the own zone launched Radulov on a quick counter attack free to score the 5-0 goal.

Prospect shined again after goals coming from Maxim Rybin (assisted by Konstantin Korneev (Montreal Canadiens)) and Denis Kulyash (Nashville Predators), Evgeni Dadonov (Florida Panthers) scored Russia's eigth goal, deflecting in a slap shot by Vitaliy Atyushov (Ottawa Senators), who was assisted by Andrei Zubarev (Atlanta Thrashers).

Russia's next commitment will be the Euro Hockey Tour last stage in the Czech Republic.

---

Continental Hockey League (KHL) -  It was clear that Dynamo soundly beat Ak Bars after just two periods of action when the two teams went into the locker rooms for the second break with the Moscow club leading 4:1. Eric Landry scored two of the tallies, while Denis Denisov (Buffalo Sabres) and Kalyuzhni netted one each. Oleg Petrov scored the lonely goal for Ak Bars early on, but the game was never really close. Dynamo dominated the action and had plenty of chances to widen the lead if not for the play of back up Stanislav Galimov during the latter half of the game after he replaced Finnish netminder Norrena in net. The third period took an ugly turn when it became clear that Dynamo was the victor, as Ak Bars players begun to take runs and play more physically. An ugly incident broke out when Nikita Alexeev (Chicago Blackhawks) fought Daniil Markov , as it was especially unpleasant since Alexeev started the fight with Markov’s back to him, as Markov was trying to settle things with another Kazan player Obukhov first. Markov still got the better of Alexeev, though it was impressive for the lanky former NHL forward to even try to go at Dynamo captain and former NHL hard nosed defenseman. Another scare happened even later in the game when a Kazan forward drove to the net and then went practically skates first into Vitali Eremeev, though fortunately no one was hurt. Denis Denisov (Buffalo Sabres) was also hit in the boards in the last minutes and had to be escorted to the locker room, though he appears to be ok as well. Now the series are tied 2:2 in the best of seven series, and the next game will take place in Kazan on Wednesday.

---

Super League -  Despite the tough competition for a spot on SKA’s roster, Igor Makarov (Chicago Blackhawks) (who on September 19th turned 20 years old) lately has entrenched himself in the club’s lineup. The team’s head coach Barry Smith regularly trusts the young player and Makarov has not disappointed. In the first game against CSKA Igor earned three points, and helped his team earn the victory. (Championat.ru Interview) READ MORE

---

Karjala Cup (EuroTour) -  Detailed recap and scouting analysis of Russia's Karjala Cup victory over the Czech Republic. This game secured Russia's positon at the top of the EuroTour rankings and helped the team win the Karjala Cup. READ MORE

---

Russian Super League -  A detailed recap of the game between two of the strongest Russian Super League clubs. The game featured Super League's top forward Alexei Morozov, as well as a number of young NHL prospects. READ MORE

---

U18 World Junior Championships -  Our players lacked leadership (Interview with head coach Fedor Kanareykin) READ MORE

---

U18 Junior World Cup -  Russian Top Line Tournament Performance Recap (Denis Istomin, Egor Zharkov, Ilya Zubov) READ MORE

---

Super League -  Pavel Vorobiev (Chicago Blackhawks) found his scoring touch again with HC Spartak, recording his 11th and 12th goals of the season in the 5:0 victory over Metallurg. Youngster Oleg Piganovich continues his career season, scoring his 16th goal of the season, which leads all Super Leauge defnesmen. Interestingly, he is also one of the top PIM getters in the league as well. The Alexei Perezhogin – Alexei Tereschenko (Dallas Stars) – Stanislav Chistov (Boston Bruins) line ran on all cylinders today with Perezhogin scoring two tallies for Salavat Yulayev. READ MORE

---

Super League -  HC Spartak earned a rare victory behind a determined effort from Pavel Vorobiev (Chicago Blackhawks), who scored his 7th and 8th goals of the season. Alexander Seluyanov (Detroit Red Wings) finally scored his first of the season, but it was Ivan Kasutin who earned the victory in the CSKA – Metallurg contest, helping his team beat last year’s champions. Young defenseman Yuri Alexandrov (Boston Bruins) potted two tallies after being quiet for the first quarter of the season. The young defenseman is U20 Team Russia’s captain and will lead the squad at the U20 WJC. READ MORE

---

EuroTour Karjala Cup  - 

GOALIES: Alexander Eremenko ("Salavat Yulaev"), Semen Varlamov (Washington Capitals) ("Lokomotiv"), Yachanov (SKA), , Biryukov (KhK MVD),
DEFENSEMAN: Ilya Nikulin (Atlanta Thrashers), Evgeni Medvedev, Alexei Emelin (Montreal Canadiens) (all - "Ak Bars"), Denis Kulyash (Nashville Predators), Konstantin Korneev (Montreal Canadiens), Anton Belov (all - CSKA), Vitaly Proshkin, Kuteykin (oba - "Salavat Yulaev"), Vitaly Atyushov ("Metallurg" Mg), Dmitri Bykov (Detroit Red Wings) ("Khimik"), Yakov Rylov "(Dynamo"), Peretyagin (SKA),
FORWARDS: Fedor Fedorov (New York Rangers), Alexander Kharitonov , Dmitri Afanasenkov , Badyukov (all - "Dynamo"), Vladimir Antipov (Toronto Maple Leafs), Alexander Perezhogin (Montreal Canadiens), Alexei Tereschenko (Dallas Stars) (all - "Salavat Yulaev"), Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs), Alexei Kaigorodov (Phoenix Coyotes) (oba - "Metallurg" Mg), Alexander Svitov (Columbus Blue Jackets), Anton Kuryanov (oba - "Avangard"), Oleg Saprykin (Ottawa Senators), Alexei Simakov (both - CSKA), Ivan Nepryaev, Alexei Mikhnov (Edmonton Oilers) (both - "Lokomotiv"), Sergei Zinovjev (Boston Bruins) ("Ak Bars"), Sergei Mozyakin (Columbus Blue Jackets) ("Khimik"), Igor Makarov (Chicago Blackhawks) (SKA), Pestushko ("Neftekhimik").

---

EuroTour Karjala Cup  - 

GOALIES: Alexander Eremenko ("Salavat Yulaev"), Semen Varlamov (Washington Capitals) ("Lokomotiv"), Yachanov (SKA), , Biryukov (KhK MVD),
DEFENSEMAN: Ilya Nikulin (Atlanta Thrashers), Evgeni Medvedev, Alexei Emelin (Montreal Canadiens) (all - "Ak Bars"), Denis Kulyash (Nashville Predators), Konstantin Korneev (Montreal Canadiens), Anton Belov (all - CSKA), Vitaly Proshkin, Kuteykin (oba - "Salavat Yulaev"), Vitaly Atyushov ("Metallurg" Mg), Dmitri Bykov (Detroit Red Wings) ("Khimik"), Yakov Rylov "(Dynamo"), Peretyagin (SKA),
FORWARDS: Fedor Fedorov (New York Rangers), Alexander Kharitonov , Dmitri Afanasenkov , Badyukov (all - "Dynamo"), Vladimir Antipov (Toronto Maple Leafs), Alexander Perezhogin (Montreal Canadiens), Alexei Tereschenko (Dallas Stars) (all - "Salavat Yulaev"), Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs), Alexei Kaigorodov (Phoenix Coyotes) (oba - "Metallurg" Mg), Alexander Svitov (Columbus Blue Jackets), Anton Kuryanov (oba - "Avangard"), Oleg Saprykin (Ottawa Senators), Alexei Simakov (both - CSKA), Ivan Nepryaev, Alexei Mikhnov (Edmonton Oilers) (both - "Lokomotiv"), Sergei Zinovjev (Boston Bruins) ("Ak Bars"), Sergei Mozyakin (Columbus Blue Jackets) ("Khimik"), Igor Makarov (Chicago Blackhawks) (SKA), Pestushko ("Neftekhimik").

---

Russian Super League -  Koshechkin (Tampa Bay Lightning) earned his second shutout in a row and his fifth of the season. Varlamov (Washington Capitals) struggled once again in his second game back with HC Lokomotiv since winning the silver medals at the U20 WJC. Philadelphia Flyers prospect Rudenko scored both of Lokomotiv’s goals in the 2:4 loss to HC Salavat Yulayev. HC Khimik defeated HC SKA, with Makarov (Chicago Blackhawks) netting his sixth of the season in a losing effort, and Mozyakin (Columbus Blue Jackets) scoring a hattrick to lead his club to victory. READ MORE