KHL, NHL, Russian Prospects and Team Russia

Kuznetsov: "If we had won, it would have been unfair"

Alessandro Seren Rosso — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:18:24 +0000

After the 1-0 defeat to Sweden in the 2012 WJC Gold Medal Game, Evgeny Kuznetsov shared his thoughts about the game with the popular news agency RIA Novosti. "In the first two periods we had a total of four shots on net. This speaks loud. If we won, it would have been unfair. Makarov was great, he saved the game for us, he stopped everything. So, destiny decided otherwise. So the Silver medal is good? Maybe it's good for you. It hurts, but life goes on. Nothing terrible, we have to know how to lose as well. We will make it through. This will temper our character." Kuznetsov went on talking about MVP honors: "Being the Most Valuable Player is always pleasant, but it hurts as I didn't get the Medal I wanted." He also tried to analyse the reason which brought to Team Russia's...

Kirill Kabanov to play in Swedish Elitserien

Alessandro Seren Rosso — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 13:04:21 +0000

Today it was announced that Kirill Kabanov signed a try-out contract with top Elitserien team Farjestad BK. The 19-years-old Russian winger was among the last cuts of the New York Islanders. To shed some light on this unexpected event, RHF talked with EliteProspect's admin Johan Nillson, a Swedish hockey expert. What is Kirill Kabanov's reputation in Sweden? You know that in Russia and in North America he had some problems, how is all this in a "neutral" country like Sweden? Kabanov is not overly known in Sweden, but for those that have indeed heard about him, I think they believe he is somewhat of a "problem child" with some diva tendencies. As we know Kabanov has a contract up to November 6th. What do you think, does he have a...
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Alexei Kovalev: "I had two offers from NHL teams, but I decided to get back to Russia"

Alessandro Seren Rosso — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 20:58:15 +0000
Alexei Kovalev recently signed a 2-year deal with Atlant Mytischi of the KHL, and he confirmed that he still had offers from the NHL. "I had two offers from NHL teams", 38-years-old Kovalev told Russian newspaper Sovetsky Sport. "But I chose Russia." Kovalev, who played more than 1300 games in the NHL, scoring more than 1000 points, explained one of the main reasons for his move to the Moscow region team. "The lenght of the contract was a problem. I don't want to pack my suitcases every year. I understood that in North America I wouldn't get more than an one-year deal, while Atlant offered me two years." Kovalev also explained other aspects of his transfer. "I didn't play much in Russia. I got to the Rangers...
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Fedor Fedorov breaks the glasses with a slapshot (video)

Alessandro Seren Rosso — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:46:04 +0000
Former Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers player, forward Fedor Fedorov, broke the glass during the warm-up before SKA St. Petersburg's KHL regular season game on October 16th against Avtomobilist Ekaterinburg. SKA eventualy won the home game with a 5-1 score, and Fedorov had one assist. RussianHockeyFans offers you a video of this curious incident: ...
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Alexander Avtsin: I hope to play some pre-season games

Alessandro Seren Rosso — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 07:12:29 +0000
During a pre-season intrasquad scrimmage, Habs' prospect Alexander Avtsin played on a line with Mike Cammalleri and had one goal and one assist. Everyone note that the 20-years-old player managed to learn good English in just one year. And now he knows what the team needs from him. He also fairly judged himself, saying that it’s too early to talk about the NHL, and most likely he will spend another season in the AHL. "I've spent half of the summer in Moscow, then I left to Montreal to get ready for the new season, I had a strengthening program", Avtsin told in Russian. “I worked with a group of players gathered by my agents. There were many Czech and Slovak players, like Havlat, Michalek" You did look good in Cammalleri's line. Alexander Avtsin: "We played with 10...
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Mikhail Stefanovich assigned to Dynamo Minsk

Alessandro Seren Rosso — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 08:21:19 +0000
Belarusian forward Mikhail Stefanovich has been assigned to Dynamo Minsk of the KHL by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Dynamo Minsk secured Stefanovich's right as he was a second overall pick of the 2009 KHL junior draft. Stefanovich, who played for the Dynamo Minsk organization up to the 2004/2005 season, played only six professional games this year, with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL and the Reading Royals of the ECHL. After a couple of seasons in Belarus Stefanovich crossed the ocean to play in the QMJHL for the Quebec Remparts and in the 2007-08 season he won the Mike Bossy Trophy as QMJHL's top prospect of the year. Stefanovich spent in the Q also the two following seasons. He also started playing for the Belarusian national team. Most likely Stefanovich's first game with Dynamo...
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Artyukhin's contract with SKA confirmed

Alessandro Seren Rosso — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 08:27:17 +0000
Evgeny Artyukhin's contract with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL has been confirmed and the player is now free to play, Russian press reports. The 27 years old forward's signing was delayed due to some heart problems risen during the first medical checks. Artyukhin, who will play with the #44, is set to debut with SKA today against Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Artyukhin has been drafted in the NHL by the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2001 Entry Draft. In 199 NHL games scored 19 goals and 30 assists for a total of 49 points. He won a gold medal at both U18 and U20 WJCs....
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Ramo on NHL, goalie fighting, move to Habs, ties with Tortorella

Alessandro Seren Rosso — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 16:19:45 +0000

24 years old Karri Ramo is one of the top KHL goalies. His NHL rights were recently traded to the Montreal Canadiens and he's expected to join the Habs during the next summer as his deal with Avangard Omsk of the KHL will run out on the next April 30th. In this interview with Ilya Elchaninov of sports.ru Ramo talked about his future plans, about his past experiences with Tampa Bay and about life in Russia.
RussianHockeyFans.com offers you a translation.

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Sergei Bobrovsky: "Philadelphia is a great city"

Alessandro Seren Rosso — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 10:27:49 +0000
Russian rookie Sergei Bobrovsky is surprising many with his play in the NHL for Philadelphia Flyers. In this interview with the press club of his former team, Metallurg Novokuznetsk, Bobrovsky talked about his new life in Philadelphia, about the sensations of the first game and about his mask. RussianHockeyFans.com offers you a translation: Sergei, how did you settle down in Philadelphia? Do you live alone there? Bobrovsky: "I live alone for now, waiting for my girlfriend. There are some problems with the American embassy. It's not easy to get a visa to the USA! My parents and my sister are going to visit me after the New Year." How are you doing with the English language? Bobrovsky: "I wouldn't say that I have big problems with it. I get what...
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Slava Kozlov signs with CSKA Moscow

Alessandro Seren Rosso — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 10:35:59 +0000
Vyacheslav Kozlov was officially signed today to a 1 year contract by CSKA Moscow. The former component of the famous Russian Five joined the Red Army a couple of days ago and will depart with the team for their upcoming away trip. Kozlov will wear the #72 jersey. Vyacheslav Kozlov was Stanley Cup Champion in 1997 and 1998 with the Detroit Red Wings. Kozlov played a total of 1182 NHL games, with 853 points.
Kozlov: "I'm glad to be back in the team which is almost my home club, and it's the greatest team in Russia. I'll do all I can to help the team fighting for the Gagarin Cup. I think I am in good shape and I'll be able to help my team mates very soon. Recently I underwent the physical examinations and the doctors were satisfied about my shape. I hope I'll be able...
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Marek Svatos signs with Avangard Omsk

Alessandro Seren Rosso — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 07:22:17 +0000
28 years old Marek Svatos signed with Avangard Omsk of the KHL. He was an unrestricted free agent. The forward was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2001 NHL Draft, and played with the Avs a total of six seasons. Svatos scored a 164 points in 316 NHL career games. He won the Memorial Cup with the Kootenay Ice of the WHL in the 2002. Svatos struggled in producing constantly, mostly due to his size and injury proneness. Avangard Omsk now has a good contingent of Czech and Slovakian players, having in their team also Jaromir Jagr, Roman Cervenka and Martin Skoula. Svatos signed a one year deal with the Siberian team....
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Chris Bourque: "Got sick of waiting for my chance in Washington and then being used to plug holes in roster"

Alexander Zaitsev — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:19:18 +0000
The former Washington Capitals forward Chris Bourque, who moved this summer to Atlant Mytischi of the KHL, gave an interview to SportsDaily.ru. RussianHockeyFans.com offers you a translation. The story of your signing with Atlant was pretty long. Were you hesitating? Bourque: "I just wanted to see how it'd turn out with the Capitals. When the situation wasn't clear I had to told Atlant that they'd have to wait." But then finally the Capitals offered you a contract. Why did you decide to move to Russia? Bourque: "Things were going the way that I'd not get a spot with the Capitals. I have won...
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