Russian Hockey NHL Prospects | RussianProspects Tournament Coverage: 2010 Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) (Russia

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After his move from Nashville to Russia, Alexander Radulov (Nashville Predators) has been very discreet with the media. But he decided to give an exclusive interview to Mika�l Lalancette of Le Soleil, in which he talked about his controversial move, about his future and about Quebec City. He explained that he still didn't decide where to play once his KHL deal will be over and that he doesn't regret to have left Nashville. (Russianhockeyfans.com article by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

2010 eligible Nikita Zaitsev, playing for Sibir Novosibirsk of the KHL, stated that Philadelphia and Chicago were the most interested teams during the recent NHL Draft Combine. In this interview by allhockey.ru he talked about the tests, about the draft itself and stated that he plans to play in the KHL the 2010-11 season.
RussianHockeyFans.com offers you a translation. (Original interview by allhockey.ru translated by Alessandro Seren Rosso for Russian Hockey Fans) READ MORE

In sight of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft we updated Vladimir Tarasenko 's profile. The winger's page now contains new statistics, a new scouting report as well as additional information. (Link to player profile) READ MORE

The Blues finally reached an agreement with Nikita Nikitin (St. Louis Blues). The 24 years old blue liner will most likely start the season in the AHL after the training camp. Nikitin had some successful seasons in the KHL under his belt and his experience will be certainly useful for the Blues. He is a good two-way defenseman with a good frame and solid defensive abilities. READ MORE

MOSCOW - The excitement of competition - and perhaps another paycheque - are enough to lure Dominik Hasek back to professional hockey. The 45-year-old goaltender signed on Monday a one-year contract to play with Spartak Moscow of the Russian Continental Hockey League (KHL). The deal, rumoured for the past week, is reportedly worth $3 million US. (The Montreal Gazette article) READ MORE

In sight of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft we updated Maxim Kitsyn 's profile. The winger's page now contains new statistics, a scouting report as well as additional information. (Link to player profile) READ MORE

After Evgeny Skachkov (St. Louis Blues), Maxim Goncharov (Phoenix Coyotes) and Sergei Bobrovsky, another player left Russia to sign in the NHL, Yuri Alexandrov (Boston Bruins). The young offensive defenseman inked a two years deal with his NHL franchise and will most likely start the season with the Providence Bruins of the AHL. This year Alexandrov was a key player for his Severstal Cherepovets, having scored a career high 21 points in 56 regular season games. READ MORE

For long time tied with a CHL move, one of the top Russians available for the upcoming 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Evgeny Kuznetsov, signed a new 2 years contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk. "I'm very happy now, all the contracts' conditions satisfy me" - said Kuznetsov through Tratkor's official site. "Leaving Chelyabinsk makes no sense to me. I'm under contract with Traktor for further two seasons and I'll leave the team only if the management would release me. I don't want to have bad relationships with my home club. I will go to America later this month, to have the Draft Combine. Then I will further practice. I'll take part to the Draft in Los Angeles. Then I want to skate in the training camp of the team that will pick me up. I really want to see the practices and the preparation for the new season. Then I will get back to Traktor."

In sight of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft we updated Sergei Barbashev 's profile. The winger's page now contains new statistics, a scouting report as well as additional information. (Link to player profile) READ MORE

2010 eligibles Vladimir Tarasenko, Maxim Kitsyn and Evgeny Kuznetsov have been invited to the annual NHL Draft Combine, which will run in Toronto in May. All three Russian forward are well ranked in the NHL rankings and will be chosen fairly high. Vladimir Tarasenko will most likely be a first round pick.

Alexander Avtsin (Montreal Canadiens) is without a doubt one of the higheest touted prospects from Russia. Unfortunately he is not playing now because of a hand injury, and will come back most likely only in one month. In this interview with Olga Alexandrova, appeared on the official Dynamo Moscow's site, Avtsin explained why he decided to remain in Russia for this season, discussed his own current season's performances and he also told how he met his girlfriend Milana. RussianHockeyFans.com offers you a translation. (RussianHockeyFans.com article by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

The second KHL season is undergoing and prospects get their share of attention. Unfortunately it's not a good news the one we report about Dynamo Moscow's Alexander Avtsin (Montreal Canadiens): during a regular season match he suffered from a hand injury and will have to sit for two months. His place in the lineup has been taken by one of MHL top scorers, Nikita Dvurechensky, who took only two games to score his first KHL goal today in the 4-6 home defeat of Dynamo against the other Dinamo from Riga.
But Dvurechensky hasn't been the only one prospect to score the first KHL goal: 2010 eligible Evgeny Kuznetsov scored the game winner in Tratkor's win in Togliatti against Lada with a smooth backhander one-on-one against the goalie. Kuznetsov might be chosen in next Draft's first round.

Despite the difficulties of late for Russia producting defensive prospects, the top-end is certainly interesting, with many players who might adapt well in the jump overseas. Recently it has been very tough to decipher who would report to the NHL and who would not, and the apparent drive towards North America played its role in these rankings.

Top 10 at a glance
1. Maxim Goncharov (Phoenix Coyotes)
2. Yuri Alexandrov (Boston Bruins)
3. Dmitri Orlov (Washington Capitals)
4. Pavel Valentenko (New York Rangers)
5. Mikhail Pashnin (New York Rangers)
6. Andrei Zubarev (Atlanta Thrashers)
7. Denis Bodrov (Philadelphia Flyers)
8. Vyacheslav Buravchikov (Buffalo Sabres)
9. Alexei Emelin (Montreal Canadiens)
10. Vitali Anikienko (Ottawa Senators)
(Hockey's Future article by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

Russianprospects.com followed the recent regular season match between Spartak Moscow and CSKA Moscow, where played a good number of prospects, in particular Nikita Filatov (Columbus Blue Jackets), Sergei Andronov (St. Louis Blues) and Ilya Kablukov (Vancouver Canucks). (Exclusive russianprospects.com scout evaluation by Evgeny Belousov) READ MORE

As KHL teams approach the playoffs stage, top teams are going to lure some good players from the bottom seeded ones. Ak Bars Kazan is no exception as they just sent quick winger Evgeny Ketov to Severstal Cherepovets for Nikolai Lemtyugov (St. Louis Blues). This might be a good move for his future as making part of a winning team might motivate him to work harder and in a more consistent way. In this season he scored nine goals and twenty-one points in thirty-eight regular season matches.

20 years old Sergei Andronov (St. Louis Blues) moves from Lada Togliatti to CSKA Moscow. The trade happened once again because of Lada's perennial financial troubles. CSKA head coach Sergei Nemchinov declared that Andronov "is an excellent forward, I've enjoyed working with him at last year's WJC".

With an excellent top corner wrist shot Alexander Avtsin (Montreal Canadiens) scored his first KHL goal in the third period of a 4-0 home win of his Dinamo Moscow over Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Alexander also had an assist in this game. (Post game interview and video of the goal at Russianhockeyfans.com) READ MORE

Viktor Tikhonov (Phoenix Coyotes), loaned to Severstal Cherepovets of KHL by the Phoenix Coyotes of NHL, gave an interview to the official KHL site.
He talked about the reasons behind his decision to leave for Russia, his converstaions with Gretzky in Phoenix and the fact that he can spend only one year in Russia after which he will have to return to America.
RussianHockeyFans.com offers you a translation. (RussianHockeyFans.com article by Alexander Zaitsev) READ MORE

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.

Nikita Filatov (Columbus Blue Jackets) had an interview with eurosport.ru website in which he talked about his return, his opinion about his path towards the NHL and about his future. He admitted that leaving for Russia was his idea and he also said that he doesn't want to think about the next season yet. (Russianhockeyfans.com article by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

Atlant Mytischi's GM Ravil Ishakov declared today that the club and Denis Bodrov (Philadelphia Flyers) mutually separated ways, most likely due to the player's bad performances of this season. In the 09-10 campaign Bodrov scored only 1 goal in 12 matches.

We added new photos to Maxim Trunev (Montreal Canadiens)'s profile. The young winger scored so far two goals in 21 games with HC Severstal Cherepovets. (Link to player profile) READ MORE

21-years old Viktor Tikhonov (Phoenix Coyotes), who spent most of the season with their AHL affiliates, the San Antonio Rampage, is back in Moscow, where he's thought to be join Filatov's CSKA. "My son has been sent to the KHL, he has already landed in Moscow and he's ready to play for CSKA" - said the father of the coach to the popular magazine Sovetsky Sport. (Russian Hockey Fans article by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

Dmitri Orlov (Washington Capitals) is a 18 years old defenseman who has been drafted by the Washington Capitals in the latest NHL Entry Draft, with the 55th overall pick. In this translated interview with Metallurg's press attache Sergei Druzhinin, he talked about his feelings about being a first team player, about his ability to play both forward and defense and about the Russian Junior National Team.(Russianhockeyfans.com article by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

Lokomotiv Yaroslavl's goalie Sergei Gaiduchenko (Florida Panthers) talked about his experience as temporary starter replacing the injured number one goalie Georgi Gelashvili, chatted about his girlfriend and explained his own plans for the future. (Konsomolskaya Pravda interview by Mikhail Kontuev translated by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

CSKA's newcomer Nikita Filatov (Columbus Blue Jackets) had one goal and two assists in his first KHL game played against Traktor Chelyabinsk. In this translated interview with allhockey.ru correspondent Olesya Usova, the young player talked about the impressions felt in his debut with CSKA, about his new line mates and also about his experience with the Columbus Blue Jackets. (Russian Hockey Fans article by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

Russian player Nikita Pivtsakin might strengthen the Drummondville�s defense already after the Subway Superseries. This at least according to the Voltigeurs� plans, who are trying to convince the 18 years old guy moving to Canada. Selected in the Import Draft�s first round (49th overall pick), by the Cap Breton Screaming Eagles, Pivtsaking didn�t show up in their pre season camp in Sidney. The Omsk, Russia, native defenseman instead deciding taking the first steps in his pro career in the KHL playing for Jaromir Jagr (New York Rangers)�s Avangard Omsk. (Russianhockeyfans.com article by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

As reported by TSN, Nikita Filatov (Columbus Blue Jackets) has been loaned back to his home club CSKA Moscow. The young dangler hasn't had any significative chance in the NHL and scored only two goals this season, but had little ice time. Filatov will soon play his first game with the Red Army. He has been loaned by the Blue Jackets until the end of the current season and this might boost team Russia for the next WJC.

For the 2010 Draft section we updated Daniil Sobchenko 's profile with new content, a scout report and stats. Sobchenko is a very talented player who has been overlooked in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft mostly because of the lack of play with the National Team. (Link to player profile) READ MORE

We have updated Sergei Andronov (St. Louis Blues)'s profile with content in the different sections and new stats. We also made it public to anyone! (Link to player's profile) READ MORE

In the 10/20 match between Ak Bars Kazan and Traktor Chelyabinsk we followed two prospects playing for Traktor, two players at different stages of their career. They are 2010 eligible Evgeny Kuznetsov and 2006 draftee Andrei Popov (Philadelphia Flyers). READ MORE

We have updated Dmitri Orlov (Washington Capitals)'s profile with content in the different sections and new stats. We also made it public to anyone! (Link to player's profile) READ MORE

After a promising rookie season, Maxim Trunev (Montreal Canadiens) is having a good 09-10 campaign as well. We observed him in the match against Lokomotiv. Till the start he has been included in the lines rotations, playing in the third line, with relative success and with good, quality ice time. (Exclusive Russianprospects.com scout report by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

In the October 19th�s match between Spartak Moscow and Atlant Mytischi the home team had the chance to interrupt their cold streak despite facing one of the Tarasov division�s favorites. Instead of the injured Dmitri Kochnev, the home team�s crease featured Evgeny Konobry, while for Atlant the former Ottawa Senator, Swiss Martin Gerber. Ilya Kablukov (Vancouver Canucks) assisted on the Game Winning Goal. (Exclusive russianprospects.com game report by Evgeny Belousov) READ MORE

As reported by KHL official site, Ottawa Senators and Salavat Yulaev Ufa agreed about the transfer of the young center back in Russia. He'll play with powerhouse Salavat Yulaev Ufa until the end of the season on loan.

Denis Grot (Vancouver Canucks) is now back in the KHL after signing a deal with a newcomer HC Avtomobilist from Yekaterinburg. The young defenseman is a proven, though at this point unspectacular KHL caliber defenseman. He has spent the past five seasons consistently skating in the KHL as a top 6 defenseman, most recently with HC Neftkhimik (Nizhnekamsk).

Alexei Shkotov (St. Louis Blues) is once again looking for work. The 25 year old player and his KHL club HC Sibir annulled his contract, making Shkotov a free agent. The former AHL player, Shkotov spent the past two injury filled seasons with HC Salavat Yulayev before being trade to Sibir. A talented forward, Shkotov�s size has always got in a way as he was too susceptible to injury when his career appeared appeared to finally get on the right track. While injury has not played a role in his release from Sibir, it did have an impact in him becoming a member of this club. Still, Shkotov will undoubtedly find work again in the KHL.

After Sergei Ketov has been fired from Dynamo Moscow's head coach position, former Soviet star Andrei Khomutov took his place and he surprisingly gave Alexander Avtsin (Montreal Canadiens) a stable spot in the lineup. Even if in the fourth line, Avtsin gets now regular ice time with Dynamo Moscow and his role grows match after match. (Exclusive russianprospects.com scout evaluation by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

In the 10/10 match between Sibir Novosibirsk and Avangard Omsk, played in the Omsk Arena, we observed a three interesting prospects, being them 2010 eligibles Nikita Pivtsakin (Avangard Omsk), Nikita Zaitsev and Vladimir Tarasenko (both Sibir Novosibirsk). Tarasenko scored a goal in this match. (exclusive russianprospects.com scout evaluation by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

2010 eligible Evgeny Kuznetsov got his first KHL point in the home game Traktor played against Dinamo from Riga, won 5-4 after the shootout. With Traktor down by one goal after a double by Riga's captain, former Stanley Cup champion Sandis Ozolinsh, Kuznetsov exchanged the puck with veteran Ravil Gusmanov, who promptly put it in the back of the net after the young player's assist. It took only three games to him to get on the scoresheet. On top of that, he logged more than 11 minutes on the ice in that game, his season-high and a very good time for a player of his age.

In the 10/08 game between Severstal Cherepovets, Maxim Trunev (Montreal Canadiens) scored the 3-0 goal as the home team get the best of the KHL reigning champions with a 3-1 final score. The game's first goal has been scored by defenseman's Mikhail Kuklev, while at the thirty-second minute the mysteriously undrafted Maxim Chudinov got in front of the goal with great timing to one-time in a superb pass by Sergei Soin (Nashville Predators) behind the crease defended by Stanislav Galimov . One minute later Maxim Trunev (Montreal Canadiens) went one-on-one with Evgeny Medvedev dribbling past him and getting into the zone. His first attempt has been rejected by Galimov, but then he got the puck back with his glove, adjusted it on the ice and shot it past Galimov while falling on the surface because of the heavy speed of his movement. This was Trunev's first goal of the season. A couple of minutes later Alexei Badyukov scored for the guests, but it was too late and Severstal got 3 well deserved points.

As expected Andrei Plekhanov (Columbus Blue Jackets) returned in Russia after refusing to report to the AHL. Dynamo Moscow organized a trade with Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk - the team who held his KHL rights - that sent forward Maxim Pestushko to Neftekhimik and Plekhanov to Moscow, in a similar way to the old Pavel Valentenko (New York Rangers)'s trade. Plekhanov's debut date isn't set yet.

As he struggled finding any roster spot, Kirill Petrov (New York Islanders) has been sent by his KHL team, Ak Bars Kazan, back to the Russian junior league, where he already scored a goal in each of the two games he's been iced in. Getting demoted in the junior team is surely a step backwards for Petrov considering the role he had in the team a couple of seasons ago, but it might be good if he manages to rebound back with some good performances and earn a call-up with the pro team.

HELSINKI, Finland -- Rookie defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (Florida Panthers) made perhaps the biggest move of training camp Tuesday by getting out of his contract with a Russian team and signing an entry-level deal with the Panthers. The team had until 5 p.m. EDT to sign Kulikov before he had to go back to his Quebec junior team. Before the Panthers could sign him, however, he had to be released from his Russian team in the Continental Hockey League. Kulikov's agent wired the money -- believed to be close to $50,000 -- to the team's bank account to get the release. The Panthers, upon hearing the buyout payment was made, quickly acted and signed Kulikov to a three-year deal. The contract has been sent to the league for approval. (The Miami Herald article by George Richards) READ MORE

Wednesday night Spartak Moscow faced KHL Gagarin Cup 08-09 runners-up of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl as usual in their home arena �Sokolniki�. The visiting team�s net have been defended by Sergei Gaiduchenko (Florida Panthers) (Florida Panthers) as their starting goalie Georgi Gelashvili is out with a hand injury. (Game report and prospects evaluation by Evgeny Belousov) READ MORE

Ilya Proskuryakov was named KHL player of the week last week. The young goalie allowed just two goals in the first four regular season, which ties for the Russian Elite league (whether it is the KHL or the Super League) record. The former member of Russia's U18 and U20 squads has been on fire this past season, coming out of seemingly nowhere to earn the starting job with Metallurg Mg., a club that has at one point been developing Anton Khudobin (Minnesota Wild) for this position. Now clearly one of the top young netminders in Russia along with Stanislav Galimov , Proskuryakov has developed into a strong starting netminder.

Artem Kriukov (Buffalo Sabres) has been sidelined by knee injury, which he suffered during the preseason. He just undergone surgery on the injured knee and has entered the recovery stage. The once touted first round selection found a stable home with SKA (St. Petersburg), where he has been a regular contributor.

New York Rangers prospect Pavel Valentenko (New York Rangers) is expected to miss three months after undergoing shoulder surgery last week. The 22-year old defenseman, acquired this summer as part of the deal that sent Scott Gomez to Montreal, suffered the injury while playing in a preseason game for KHL team Dynamo Moscow. (Beyond the Blue Shirts article) READ MORE

Hockey's Future and russianprospects.com writer Alessandro Seren Rosso wrote a team-by-team breakdown of the NHL prospects playing in the KHL for the 2009-10 season. (Hockey's Future Article by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

After a summer of negotiations, Anton Babchuk (Carolina Hurricanes) couldn't agree on a new deal with his NHL team and thus crossed the pond back to play with Avangard Omsk, where he already spent a season in 2007-08. The Kiev, Ukraine, native scored thirty-five points in the last season, but it wasn't rated enough by Carolina to give him the contract he was asking for.

After the turbolences in the summer negotiations with CSKA Moscow, goalkeeper Konstantin Barulin (St. Louis Blues) got a new contract after he declared to be financially dissatisfied as we reported on August 27th. CSKA's president Vyacheslav Fetisov offered him a new contract, which terms weren't disclosed, and the goalie replied with a 22 saves win in the first CSKA match of the season against Dinamo Moscow, won in the overtime thanks to a doubly by Denis Parshin (Colorado Avalanche). Captain Konstantin Korneev (Montreal Canadiens) was on roster too and he had an assist, just like Alexander Nikulin (Phoenix Coyotes), while Maxim Goncharov (Phoenix Coyotes) has been pointless.

Sergei Andronov (St. Louis Blues) is a quick, technical winger from KHL�s Lada Togliatti who was drafted last June by the St. Louis Blues with the 78th overall pick. Hockey's Future spoke to him about his career, his style of play and some things he likes. (Hockey's Future article by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

When the Soviet Union fought the Cold War in the sporting arena, nowhere was victory more expected, or more treasured, than on the ice rink. For Russia there has been little except disappointment since the break-up of the Union, but the well-funded and Russia-dominated Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) enters its second season looking to change that. The Soviet team won their first ice hockey world title in 1954, and Olympic gold two years later. (Article by Peter van Dyk of The National) READ MORE

Thanks to an OT goal by Alexei Morozov (Pittsburgh Penguins), Ak Bars Kazan triumphed in the second ever KHL Opening Cup, showing that they are ready to fight this season trying hard to get their second straight KHL title. (Thehockeywriters.com article by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

Russian Prospect's correspondent Alessandro Seren Rosso pubblished on his own blog about the MHL a translated interview to Alexei Marchenko, CSKA's offensive defenseman eligible for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. (MHL Hockey article) READ MORE

In this translated interview Dmitri Orlov (Washington Capitals) talked about his past season, about his ties with the new national junior team head coach Vladimir Plyuschev, about his draft experience and about the future. (Sportsdaily.ru interview translated by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

As both Atlant and Neftekhimik played a tournament in Finland, the two teams agreed about moving young prospect Alexander Bumagin (Edmonton Oilers) from one team to the other. Probably Atlant's head coach Fedor Kanareikin never trusted him as he always gave him little ice time despite his often good and surely hard trying performances. In Nizhnekamsk Bumagin will have the chance to become a core player in the team and it might be a step forward in his development.

We added two photos to Yuri Alexandrov (Boston Bruins)'s profile and updated his profile's career notes section. READ MORE

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

Konstantin Barulin (St. Louis Blues) is currently holding out from CSKA�s pre-season activities and did not join the team on a training camp related trip to Austria. The player has downplayed his move in an interview with Sport.ru, saying �I don�t have a conflict with CSKA. I signed a deal for two years with them a year ago and I am just a little dissatisfied with the financial aspects of it. This situation is not new and we have been negotiating while I was on vacation�

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

Today was the last day for Denis Parshin (Colorado Avalanche) and Sergei Shirokov (Vancouver Canucks) to sign new deals with CSKA in order to avoid a 1 year KHL disqualification. Denis Parshin (Colorado Avalanche) decided to sign, while Sergei Shirokov (Vancouver Canucks) didn't, thus meaning that 99.9% he's going to play in Vancouver for the upcoming season.

A correspondent from Russian Hockey website allhockey.ru recently sat down with CSKA prospect and National Junior Team defenseman Maxim Goncharov (Phoenix Coyotes) to discuss everything from his first pro season to his vacation and even his thoughts on the new MHL junior league. He also indicated that he intends to play in the NHL. (allhockey.ru interview translated by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

After many other transfers to their team, SKA St. Petersburg, coached by Barry Smith, signed to a two year contract NHL veteran Sergei Zubov, who spent most of his overseas career with the Dallas Stars, where he won one Stanley Cup in the 1999. In the 1994 he won his first NHL title with the New York Rangers. He played a total of 1068 regular season games (with 771 points) and 164 playoff contests (scoring 117 points) in his NHL career.

Russianprospects.com correspondent Alessandro Seren Rosso published an Alexander Avtsin (Montreal Canadiens) portrait with quotes from him and from people overseas. The article can be reached at his MHL related blog. (MHL Hockey's article by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

After spending one year with Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL, scoring 63 points in 61 matches, Belarus-born Sergei Ostapchuk decided to get back in Russia, where he signed a deal with his former club Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Most likely Ostapchuk will play a significant part of the season with Yaroslavl's MHL affiliate, "Loko".

Mikhail Yunkov (Washington Capitals) signed a new deal with Ak Bars. This marks the young center�s return to Kazan after a two year stint with HC Spartak. His move to Spartak was not contrevercial either, since Ak Bars management felt that they invested in the player�s development and then he left for his new club. Still, things appear to have been mended between Yunkov and Ak Bars. One thing that is unclear is whether the young center still plans to attend Washington�s training camp. No details are yet available regarding his deal, so it may have an NHL �out� clause.

NHL goaltender Martin Gerber has signed a deal with KHL club Atlant Mytische, replacing Ray Emery, who spent the last season with the club before signing this summer a deal with the Philadelphia Flyers. Gerber spent last season with Ottawa and then Toronto Maple Leafs. The talented goaltender has struggled with consistency, delivering a sub par season for Ottawa in his first year a couple of years back, before rebounding two seasons ago and finally struggling mightily again last year. He played at a reasonable level in Toronto, but not enough to garner any starting roles in the NHL. In Russia he might be able to reclamate his career and potentially return to NHL in a couple of season.

After the court ruled them as CSKA property only yesterday, the fate of Sergei Shirokov (Vancouver Canucks) and Denis Parshin (Colorado Avalanche) is still unsure. The players' agent Sergei Paremuzov declared that his clients "don't want to play for the CSKA and won't play. I don't know what will happen now."

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.

18 years old Alexander Avtsin (Montreal Canadiens) has been picked up in the last NHL draft with the 109th overall pick. In this championat.ru interview by Alena Shilova he talked about the training camp in Montreal, about his future and about the comparison between him and NHL superstar Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals). (championat.ru interview by Alena Shilova translated by Alessandro Seren Rosso) READ MORE

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