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Canadian Junior Leagues -  The IIHF has approved the disputed transfer of Russian forward Kirill Kabanov, 17, to the Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL). The IIHF could not find any assertion that Kabanov was under a valid and binding contract with the KHL club Salavat Yulayev Ufa. (IIHF.com article) READ MORE

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Canadian Junior Leagues -  Russianprospects.com presents a breakdown of the Russian players picked up in the 2009 CHL Import Draft. Kirill Kabanov, Alexander Burmistrov, Roman Berdnikov and many other guys reported, while Alexander Avtsin (Montreal Canadiens) didn't. (Exclusive russianprospects.com article by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

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Canadian Junior Leagues -  The Kirill Kabanov 's saga might have reached an end after the Moncton Wildcats announced that the player arrived in the town and that he will presented to the media today itself. As stated by the team's official website: "The IIHF may have to rule on the situation after written submissions are presented. According to Danny Flynn, the Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations for the Wildcats, this process could take at least two weeks." Stay tuned on RP.com for more updates.

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Canadian Junior Leagues -  Forward Kirill Kabanov has been reported to be in New York, waiting for being cleared to play in the QMJHL for the Moncton Wildcats. (Times & Transcript article by Neil Hodge) READ MORE

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Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) -  Russianprospects.com's Alessandro Seren Rosso sheds some light over Kirill Kabanov's saga and tries analyzing what's happened and when. The final word on the matter will be probably said on September 2nd, when the KHL will held an official meeting in Moscow. (Russianprospects.com exclusive article by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

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U18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament -  The 2009 Ivan Hlinka Memorial final on Saturday is ready for another showdown between the two super hockey powers, Canada and Russia. On the final day of the group stage, Canada demolished Czech Republic 9-0 while Russia beat Finland 8-4. Sweden and USA will play for the bronze. Kirill Kabanov, Nail Yakupov, Vladislav Namestnikov and Pavel Kulikov are Russia's top scorers with 5 points, while Ivan Telegin won't play in the final match as he got an elbow injury during the first period of the last game. (Internationalhockey.net article by Karsten Skjalm) READ MORE

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U18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament -  Canada and Russia got their expected victories over Switzerland and Slovakia and are now in the pole position of reaching the final on Sunday. In Group B, Russia stunned Slovakia by scoring three goals within the first 7 minutes, and another goal after 17" min to take a healthy 4-0 lead after the 1st period. Slovakia played a more balanced game the rest of the game, but could prevent a well-balanced Russian team from winning 7-1. In the other game in Group B, USA beat Finland 3-2. Kirill Kabanov scored another goal. (Internationalhockey.net article by Karsten Skjalm) READ MORE

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Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) -  After Kirill Kabanov has been announced to Salavat Yulaev Ufa many rumors arisen. At first it looked like his new head coach Vyacheslav Bykov would have offered him not less than 10 minutes of ice play, quite impressive considering how stacked the team is. But then further rumors has been spread, especially about him reporting to Moncton, the team which drafted him on the latest CHL Import Draft with the seventh overall pick. In this interview by Andrei Osadchenko and translated by Alessandro Seren Rosso Kabanov confirmed the latter...(MHL Hockey translated interview by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

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U18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament -  In the second match against the Norwegian junior national team, Kryuchkov's Russia got yet another victory, this time 7-2. Kirill Kabanov didn't play in this game.

Norway (U20) - Russia (U18) 2-7 (1-1; 0-3; 1-3)

10:30 1-0 Rasmuss Juell (Hans K. Hollstedt, Anders Øksnes)
15:49 1-1 Sergei Barbashev (Vladislav Namestnikov ) SH
28:44 1-2 Pavel Kulikov (Nail Yakupov, Artur Amirov) PP2
29:17 1-3 Viktor Postnikov (Ainars Podzinsh, Bogdan Potekhin) PP2
30:13 1-4 Stefan Stepanov (Ivan Telegin) PP
46:58 2-4 Rasmuss T. Juell (Daniel Søvik, Mats R. Olsen) PP
47:07 2-5 Mikhail Grigorenko (Bogdan Potekhin)
53:41 2-6 Emil Galimov (Viktor Postnikov, Pavel Kulikov) PP
57:11 2-7 Pavel Kulikov (Ildar Isangulov, Viktor Postnikov)

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U18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament -  In their first preparation match, Team Russia Under 18 beaten the Norwegian counterpart 5-1. Despite being outshot 11-8, coach Kryuchkov's guys finished the first period up by one goal thanks to a SH goal by Bogdan Potekhin . In the second period the Russians scored other three times with Kirill Kabanov (twice) and Stanislav Galiev . In the third period 2012 eligible Nail Yakupov found the net for the fifth goal, and Norwegia scored their only goal with a powerplay marker by Fredrik Sommerseth.

Russia - Norway 5-1 (1-0; 3-0; 1-1)

1-0 15:32 Bogdan Potekhin (Alexander Savoskin ) SH
2-0 24:11 Kirill Kabanov (Alexei Marchenko )
3-0 29:21 Kirill Kabanov (Alexei Marchenko, Ivan Telegin ) PP2
4-0 36:06 Stanislav Galiev (Kirill Kabanov) SH
5-0 45:57 Nail Yakupov ( Emil Galimov )
5-1 59:44 Fredrik Sommerseth (Daniel Sovik) PP

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U18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament -  As August comes, usually it's Ivan Hlinka Tournament's time! This year team Russia is going to have a good shot at gold as it's a known thing that 1992 year of birth is going to be a great one for them. Unfortunately, two of the top 1992 players, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Roman Berdnikov , are injured. On the roster appears also 1994-born phenom Mikhail Grigorenko , while the team's leader will be of course Kirill Kabanov . (Russianprospects.com exclusive tournament preview by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

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U18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament -  Team Russia announced the roster for the Ivan Hlinka Tournament in Czech Republic and Slovakia. Before the tournament team Russia will have a training camp in Norway, where they will conduct a couple of preparation matches on August 8th and 9th. The team's leader will be Kirill Kabanov , but other two important players, Roman Berdnikov and Evgeny Kuznetsov , are injured and won't skate with the team. (Roster informations) READ MORE

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Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) -  17-years-old Kirill Kabanov , one of the contenders for the #1 overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, has just moved from Spartak Moscow to KHL contenders of Salavat Yulaev Ufa, thus ruling out from the CHL. Kabanov has been promised by Bykov ten minutes of ice time per game.

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Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) -  Russian Junior National Team Head coach Vladimir Plyuschev called 28 players to the WJC Orientation Camp that will feature friendly matches with American teams. The team will be in Lake Placid, New York, from August 8th to 17th. Nikita Filatov (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Dmitry Kulikov (Florida Panthers) weren't called as Plyuschev was asked by their NA teams not to be brought in these series, while other players, like Igor Bobkov (Anaheim Mighty Ducks), Kirill Kabanov and Evgeny Kuznetsov are thought as too young for now. NHL prospect called are Alexander Pechursky (Pittsburgh Penguins), Anton Klementyev (New York Islanders), Dmitry Kugryshev (Washington Capitals), Andrei Loktionov (Los Angeles Kings) and Kirill Petrov (New York Islanders). READ MORE

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Canadian Junior Leagues -  In this translated article from french language, Canadian newspaper Cyberpresse, there is an analysis of the top Russian players avaiable for the last CHL Import Draft (Avtsin, Kirill Kabanov, Dmitri Orlov (Washington Capitals)) with quotes from Remparts' GM Patrick Roy and Habs' scouting director Trevor Timmins. The most important piece of news is that Alexander Avtsin (Montreal Canadiens) won't report to the CHL next season to spend a further year in Russia. (Lapresse.ca article by Mikael Lalancette translated by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

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Canadian Junior Leagues -  A total of 20 players from the former Soviet Union has been drafted in the annual CHL Import Draft. Here follows the list:

1. St. John's Sea Dogs - Stanislav Galiev
7. Moncton Wildcats - Kirill Kabanov
12. Barrie Colts - Alexander Burmistrov
15. Owen Sound Attack - Roman Berdnikov
31. Montreal Juniors - Evgeny Solomonov (Belarus)
35. Seattle Thunderbirds - Mikhail Senturin
36. Erie Otters - Ramis Sadikov
39. Sudbury Wolves - Stefan Stepanov
42. Saginaw Spirit - Ivan Telegin
43. Quebec Remparts - Alexander Avtsin (Montreal Canadiens)
49. Shawinigan Cataractes - Nikita Pivtsakin
51. Brampton Battalions - Valeri Knizev
54. Sudbury Wolves - Edijs Leitans (Latvia)
55. Tri-City Americans - Alexander Pechursky (Pittsburgh Penguins)
58. London Knights - Anton Klementyev (New York Islanders)
66. Acadie-Bathurst Titan - Ilya Mashentsov
67. Tri-City Americans - Sergei Drozd (Belarus)
70. Barrie Colts - Denis Gladkov
72. Erie Otters - Viktor Perezhogin
73. Guelph Storm - Vadim Guskov

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National Hockey League (NHL) -  The 2009 Russian draft class doesn't look as good as the last one, which produced Nikita Filatov (Columbus Blue Jackets), Evgeny Grachev, Dmitri Kugryshev and Memorial Cup champion Andrei Loktionov (Los Angeles Kings). At the last U18 World Championships, Russia earned a silver medal mostly thanks to the contribution of the 2010s like Kirill Kabanov and Vladimir Tarasenko. But because of Russia's depth, there are some good talents available in two weeks in Montreal, including some overage ones overlooked in the last drafts who somewhat raised their stock recently.

Hockeysfuture's top 10 at a glance:
1. Dmitri Orlov, D, Metallurg Novokuznetsk
2. Maxim Chudinov, D, Severstal Cherepovets
3. Pavel Chernov, C, Atlant Mytischi
4. Alexander Avtsin , RW, Dynamo Moscow
5. Sergei Andronov, RW, Lada Togliatti
6. Anton Burdasov, LW, Traktor Chelyabinsk
7. Sergei Chvanov, C, Severstal Cherepovets
8. Georgi Berdyukov, D, SKA St. Petersburg
9. Nikita Dvurechensky, LW, Dynamo Moscow
10. Igor Bobkov, G, Metallurg Magnitogorsk

(Hockeysfuture.com article by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

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Canadian Junior Leagues -  As per rds.ca the Saint-John Seadogs are looking forward to take Stanislav Galiev from Indiana Ice as first overall pick in the upcoming CHL import draft. This might mean also, that probably Kirill Kabanov is really motivated in playing in Russia for the next season.

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U18 World Junior Championships -  We have updated the statistics for the U18 World Junior Championships and made them available to all our visitors. We have also made available all the statistics for the past tournaments that have previously been premium. Vladimir Tarasenko, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Kirill Kabanov lead Russia in scoring and were a big reason why the underrated team left the tournament with deserved silver medals. READ MORE

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Canadian Junior Leagues -  Dave Torrie calls it "a good opportunity," but the Soo Greyhounds general manager also cautions there are no sure things in the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft. While most of the recent local attention has involved the Hounds' decision to select centre Daniel Catenacci with the first overall choice in the May 2, Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection draft, the Soo also owns the third choice overall in the June 30, CHL Import Draft. Conducted via the Internet, the Hounds selection follows those of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's (QMJHL) Halifax Mooseheads and the Western Hockey League's (WHL) Moose Jaw Warriors. The top 1992 birth date in Russia, 16-year-old winger Kirill Kabanov , has signed a five-year contract "with no out clause," with one of Russia's Continental Hockey League (KHL) teams, the Hounds GM said. (By Peter Ruicci by Sault Star) READ MORE

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U18 World Junior Championships -  With a disciplined performance, helped by the home crowd, team USA won the 2009 U18 World Championships. Just like it happened last year, it wasn't the best showing by Russia, who allowed a couple of quick goals to the Americans in the first period, despite some decent play by goalie Igor Bobkov. Vladimir Tarasenko and Kirill Kabanov did their best reverting the momentum, but in the second period USA managed to keep the opponents silent, adding an additional powerplay marker to make it a 3-0 game. In the third period perhaps the Russians gave up, allowing the Americans to run the score up by two additional markers, ending the match 5-0. Unfortunately Russian top guys like Alexander Burmistrov and Evgeny Kuznetsov, weren't as confidents as usual. Dmitri Orlov either hasn't played his best hockey as well as the rest of the team. Igor Bobkov has been named best goalie of the tournament, but was oddly left out from the All Star team, in which instead was present Vladimir Tarasenko.

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U18 World Junior Championships -  With a disciplined and focus performance, Russia skated past Sweden 4-1 and got the pass for the semis against Finland, that already beaten Nemchinov's team in the round robin. Team Russia managed to not overdo keeping it simple, playing well in defense and going forward relying on the stars and spoiling the opponents' mistakes. Goalkeeper Igor Bobkov delivered yet another great performance between the pipes stopping 44 shots. Kirill Kabanov, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Alexander Burmistrov and Dmitri Orlov scored a goal each. (Game report by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

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U18 World Junior Championships -  With an excellent offensive performance Russia beaten America with a 6-5 score. The game's hero has been Vladimir Tarasenko, the author of a spectacular hat-trick and one assist. Kirill Kabanov and Maxim Kitsyn added a goal each, while the other marker for Russians came from Evgeny Kuznetsov. Igor Bobkov has been solid on net, stopping 50 out of 55 shots coming from the Americans. Plyuschev's team will face Sweden in the quarterfinals thursday April 16th.

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U18 World Junior Championships -  After four days of round-robin games at the U18 Championships in Fargo, ND and Moorhead, MN, Russians Vladimir Tarasenko and Kirill Kabanov are the top two scorers. Tarasenko has 10 points (five goals, five assists), while Kabanov is second with seven points (two goals, five assists). (Hockey's Future article by Holly Gunning) READ MORE

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U18 World Junior Championships -  After the disappointing defeat in day's one match against Finland, Russia stunned Slovakia with a 7-2 score especially thanks a very strong second period in which they scored four goals. Vladimir Tarasenko scored four points, with two goals and two assists, Dmitri Orlov three points (1+2), Sergei Chvanov and Kirill Kabanov one goal and one assist, while Maxim Kitsyn replied to Plyuschev's critics after the match against Finland with a great performance, scoring two goals. (game report and boxscore) READ MORE

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U18 World Junior Championships -  In the first match of the U18 WJC Plyuschev's team Russia lost to Finland with a 7-4 score. Russia gained a quick two-goal lead with Alexander Burmistrov and Vladimir Tarasenko , but then the Finns scored five unanswered goals and Russia could not reach them anymore despite two additional tallies scored by Kirill Kabanov and the second goal by Tarasenko. Russia allowed four goals on the powerplay. The second game will be played on April 11th against team Slovakia.

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U18 World Junior Championships -  In the unique test match planned in the USA prior the WJC Under 18, Plyuschev's team Russia beaten Switzerland 7-3. The team led by Kirill Kabanov did fairly well, being up 7-1 until the first five minutes of the match. A couple of late goals by the opponents set the final result at 7-3. Kabanov finished the match with three points (1+2), but also Kirill Yuriev , Alexander Burmistrov , Evgeny Kuznetsov , Vladimir Tarasenko and Dmitri Orlov had a multipoints performance. Igor Bobkov 's play has been okay till the last few minutes, finishing with sixteen saves in nineteen shots faced. (Game's boxscore) READ MORE

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U18 World Junior Championships -  After the two test matches against the Belarus, head coach Vladimir Plyuschev announced the final roster for the WJC U18 in the USA. The team will depart from Moscow on April, 3rd and will play a test match on April, 6th against Team Switzerland. The WJC will start April 9th and will finish on the 19th.
The team will be lead by Kirill Kabanov. READ MORE

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U18 World Junior Championships -  In the first of the two control matches scheduled against the Belarusian team in Russia's headquarter of Novogorsk, Plyuschev's team has skated past the opponents with a comfortable 9-1 score. Maxim Kitsyn and Kirill Kabanov scored two goals each, Vladimir Tarasenko , Alexander Karpyukin, Vladimir Malinovsky , Andrei Ankudinov and Dmitri Orlov added single markers.

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U18 World Junior Championships -  Russia-91 head coach Vladimir Plyuschev released his preliminary roster for the upcoming WJC Under 18 scheduled in USA the next April. Unfortunately injuries kept of the team some good players like Georgi Berdyukov (collar bone) and Stanislav Bocharov , while 1992 born Evgeny Kuznetsov has been invited. The cuts will be announced after the training camp. The team will be led by Vladimir Tarasenko and Kirill Kabanov. READ MORE

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U18 2009 Five Nations Tourn. -  After the loss against Finland Team Russia didn't manage to switch the momentum ending up with a second defeat against America in the last match of the tournament. Thanks to this victory the USA resulted the competition's winner staying perfect with four victories in as many matches. Russia has thus conquered the third position, a result that can be considered encouraging in the perspective of the upcoming WJC Under 18. Vladimir Tarasenko and Kirill Kabanov have been the team's top players, but solid performances have been delivered by Maxim Kitsyn too. Igor Bobkov between the pipes haven't looked unconfortable, the same can be said for defenseman Dmitri Orlov. (Game report by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

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U18 2009 Five Nations Tourn. -  In the third day of the U18 Five Nations tournaments, team Russia suffered their first defeat against a Finland that iced a very strong first line made up of Mikael Granlund, Toni Rajala and Teemu Pulkkinen, an unit that scored four goals - all with Granlund - in the 5-2 victory of their team. 2010 eligibles Kirill Kabanov and Vladimir Tarasenko remain in good shape and scored once again. READ MORE

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U18 2009 Five Nations Tourn. -  After the convincing 5-2 against Sweden in tournament's opening day, Team Russia repeated themselves as in the second match they beaten Czech Republic with the same score. Plyuschev iced for this game Avangard's goalkeeper Eduard Reizvikh, after Igor Bobkov 's strong performance against the Swedes. Reizvikh delivered a good performance, with thirty saves. Kirill Kabanov once again played extremely well, concluding the match with one goal and one assist. READ MORE

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U18 2009 Five Nations Tourn. -  In a test match conducted in Novogorsk, head quarter of all team Russia camps, Plyuschev's Russia-91 beaten Russia-92 7-4 as the teams prepare for their upcoming tournaments. U18 national team will skate in the Five Nations tournament scheduled in Sweden from 4th to 8th February against the hosts, USA, Czech Republic and Finland, while U17 will take part in the Four Nations challenge in Finland against the hosts, Sweden and Czech Republic. The game's first star has been Kirill Kabanov . (Game boxscore) READ MORE

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Continental Hockey League (KHL) -  MOSCOW–Hockey prospect Kirill Kabanov sat in the back seat of his mother's black BMW as she sped down Moscow's historic Tverskaya Street on a recent blustery and wet evening. With roots purportedly dating to the 12th century, Tverskaya is Russia's most exclusive stretch of real estate. The wide boulevard starts in the shadow of St. Basil's multi-coloured, onion-dome spires and boasts a host of luxury stores selling Rolex watches, tailored Italian suits and priceless gems and jewels. Here's what sets Kabanov apart from most other 16-year-olds: he can afford to shop on Tverskaya. (TheStar.com article by Rick Westhead) READ MORE

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U18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament -  In the traditional summer tournament for under-18 national team, dedicated to the memory of the first European ever to coach in the NHL Ivan Hlinka, Team Russia clinched a silver medal, losing in the finals against Canada 8-4 in Piestany, Slovakia. Russia hasn't won at this tournament since 1995. However, this time, Team Russia had to skate in the tournament without one of the brightest prospects of 1991 team, Semen Valuiski, because of an injury he suffered earlier in the summer. (Detailed tournament recap by Alessandro Seren Rosso exclusively for RussianProspects.com) READ MORE