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Tate · 01-27-2024, 06:30 PM

Name: Savva Kirik
Age: 21
Nationality: Independent Russia
Position: RD

Born in the rural town of Suzdal, Savva, spent his childhood far from the eyes of the Kremlin. But unlike most citizens of Mother Russia, Savva did not dream of one day venturing to the capital and instead, dreamt of a better tomorrow for him and his family. When Savva was fortunate enough to touch the ice in his hometown with his one pair of skates, he discovered his love for hockey. Being on the ice meant he got to play – but it also meant he got access to warm water afterward, something his family could not afford.

Pros

Temperament – Humble and calm, Savva acts as a stoic force upon any team he graces. A natural leader, he maintains his composure in even the most intensive pressure-filled situations. A big body allows him to take a hit, and his temperament allows him to keep his composure.

Decision Making – Due to Savva’s innate ability to keep calm, it allows for him to keep a leveled head. Rarely are there times where Savva is not two or three plays ahead of the game in his mind, and he does a good job of playing a smart team game – never trying to be too selfish with the puck or his chances.

Positioning – Part of what allows Savva to make such good decisions or stay calm is his knack for positioning. A student of the game, Savva has placed positioning as a high priority in his skillset and if it were not for his reliability, his team would not be able to take as many risks offensively.

Cons

Language – Without question, Savva lacks even a basic understanding of English, and it will be a challenge for him to adapt to the North American game if he cannot understand his teammates. We believe his work ethic will break through this hurdle for him, but time will tell.

Wrist Shot – Savva is not an offense-first player, and it shows. While he does sport a decent slap shot from the point, Savva is not as confident in his wrist shot. The talent is there to be developed, but the question remains on whether Savva himself will push for it.

Physicality – Savva can throw his body but tends to be reluctant to, and instead tries to pick his spots. If Savva wants to have the kind of success needed to be a top defenseman in the VHL then he will need to step it up in this area, or else he’ll find himself out of a job really quick.

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