|
|
| Talent Analysis: |
| Alexei Smirnov possesses a great raw talent and offensive ability. He is a great puck handler and moves well through traffic. Alexei also possesses an above average shot that could be deadly if he used it more often. Though sometimes used as a left wing in his career, Alexei has emerged as a natural center. He is a great passer, and is able to connect on some amazing combinations. Alexei is a big guy, standing at 6’4 and 218 pounds. Despite possessing this solid frame, Alexei is not a physical player. He does get involved in physical play once in a while, but does not really use his frame as an asset. He has all the raw skills to become a dominant player at the highest level, but has struggled to produce in the recent years. At times he has been labeled as a lazy player who does not put forth his best effort. |
| Back In Russia: |
Alexei Smirnov spent the 2000-01 season with Dynamo Moscow, logging minutes in 24 contents. The entire team struggled and after the firing of Zinatulla Belyaletdinov, the development of the team’s youth took the back seat to immediate results and the team’s survival in the Russian Super League. Alexei primarily played on the team’s fourth line and was unable to produce any results with so little e ice time.
Prior to the 2001-02 season, Alexei was loaned by Dynamo Moscow to struggling CSKA Red Army team. CSKA Moscow was not a condusive environment for developing a young star. The team struggled all year and the only positive for Alexei was that he did receive a lot of ice time on the team’s second and third lines. Observers close to CSKA Moscow called Alexei’s performance as solid, but lacking an edge. The lack of inspiration could be at least partially explained by the team’s disastrous season. CSKA finished last in the Super League standings and was relegated to the Upper League. Yet, despite playing for a terrible team, Alexei did manage to lead it in scoring with 16 points (5g 11a) and gain valuable experience of competing in the Super League against professional athletes.
Alexei Smirnov’s downside became clearly obvious during the heavily scouted international tournaments where he played for Team Russia. At the Four Nations Tournament in November 1999, Alexei shone with his best performance of the year, being named the best player of the tournament while dominating his opposition. The same performance was expected from him in the next major international tournament, the Five Nations Tournament in Finland, but the expectations never materialized as the Alexei Smirnov competing in that tournament was nothing like the Alexei Smirnov seen a few months earlier. During that tournament, Alexei earned just 2 points (1+1) in four games, often seeming indifferent in the outcome of the game. At the Under 18 World Championships in Switzerland, Alexei returned to his old form and showcased his natural talent. Russia placed second in that tournament and Alexei scored 7 points (3+4) in 6 games.
|
| NHL Outlook: |
| Throughout the 1999-2000 season, the Central Scouting Bureau had Alexei Smirnov ranked as one of the top European prospects. He was ranked 4th amongst Europeans in January 2000, and was moved into the 3rd spot by May 2000. However, Alexei’s downside of inconsistency and lack of effort on the ice has caused many scouts to question his determination. As expected by many experts, a team took a chance on this player high in the draft, as the Anaheim Ducks picked him with their first selection, 12th overall. This is not the first time Anaheim selected a European player with their first pick, doing so in their last four drafts. For the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Alexei Smirnov quite possibly represents that key first line center they have been looking for. In the summer of 2002, Alexei signed a three year contract with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and will make a bid for a roster spot at the 2002 training camp. He will likely spend most of the season in Cincinnati, but may earn a spot in Anaheim. |
| Statistics: |
| Season |
Team |
League |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts |
PIM |
+/- | | 2005-06 |
Avangard (Omsk) | Super League (Playoffs) | 10 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
18 |
2 | | 2005-06 |
Avangard (Omsk) | Super League (Reg.) | 27 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
18 |
-2 | | 2004-05 |
Cincinnati Mighty Ducks | AHL (Reg.) | 27 |
6 |
4 |
10 |
35 |
+1 | | 2003-04 |
Cin. Mighty Ducks | AHL (Playoffs) | 2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 | | 2003-04 |
Cin. Mighty Ducks | AHL (Juniors) | 15 |
5 |
5 |
10 |
12 |
-4 | | 2003-04 |
Anaheim MightyDucks | NHL (Reg.) | 8 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
0 | | 2002-03 |
Anaheim Mighty Ducks | NHL (Reg.) | 44 |
3 |
2 |
5 |
18 |
-1 | | 2002-03 |
Cincinnati Mighty Ducks | AHL (Reg.) | 12 |
5 |
3 |
8 |
8 |
- | | 2001-02 |
CSKA Moscow 2 | 1st League (Juniors) | 2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
- | | 2001-02 |
CSKA (Moscow) | Super League (Reg.) | 49 |
5 |
11 |
16 |
42 |
- | | 2000-01 |
Dynamo (Moscow) | Super League (Relegation) | 8 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
- | | 2000-01 |
Dynamo (Moscow) | Super League (Reg.) | 21 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
10 |
- | | 2000-01 |
Team Russia 82 | Big Prize Tourn. (Intl.) | 4 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
8 |
- | | 2000-01 |
Dynamo (Moscow) | Lada Cup (Preseason) | 2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
- | | 1999-00 |
Dynamo (Moscow) | Super League (Reg.) | 1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
- | | 1999-00 |
THK Tver | Upper League (Reg.) | 28 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
53 |
- | | 1999-00 |
Team Russia 82 | 5 Nations Tourn. (Intl.) | 4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
-1 | | 1999-00 |
U18 Team Russia | U18 WJC IIHF (Intl.) | 6 |
3 |
4 |
7 |
16 |
9 | | 1998-99 |
Dynamo Moscow 2 | 1st League (Juniors) | 5 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
14 |
- | | 1998-99 |
U18 Team Russia | U18 WJC IIHF (Intl.) | 6 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
6 |
- | | 1998-99 |
Team Russia 82 | 4 Nations Tourn. (Intl.) | 3 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
- |
|
|
 |
main page |
player profiles |
2007 NHL Draft |
2006 NHL Draft |
game worn jerseys |
tournaments |
resources |
about us |
contact us |
links
Copyright © 2000-2003, Russian Prospects.com. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use, Privacy and Disclaimer Information
E-mail the webmaster.
|
|
| Super League Statistics | Regular Season
2007-08, 2006-07, 2005-06, 2004-05, 2003-04, 2002-03, | Playoffs
2007-08, 2006-07, 2005-06, 2004-05, 2003-04, 2002-03, | | High League Statistics | Regular Season
2007-08, 2005-06, 2004-05, 2003-04, 2002-03, |
07-08 Super League
Playoff Leaders | | Points | Yashin, Alexei 14 (8+6)
Morozov, Alexei 11 (4+7)
Volkov, Igor 11 (9+2)
Zinovjev, Sergei 11 (4+7)
Nepriayev, Ivan 9 (3+6)
| | Goals | Volkov, Igor 9
Yashin, Alexei 8
Rybin, Maxim 5
Tereschenko, Alexei 5
Artyukhin, Evgeny 4
| | Assists | Morozov, Alexei 7
Zinovjev, Sergei 7
Koltsov, Kiril 6
Nepriayev, Ivan 6
Tverdovsky, Oleg 6
| | PIM | Rybin, Maxim 54
Nepriayev, Ivan 41
Makarov, Igor 35
Kulyash, Denis 34
Kulemin, Nikolai 29
| | Complete Playoff Stats | | |
|
|
