Login

RaiN · 07-15-2017, 01:20 PM

<div align="center">Vancouver, B.C; The last time we saw a Barbashev in Vancouver, it was to raise Andrey Barbashev's jersey into the rafters. During Andrey's time in the SHL, he accumulated 409 points in 552 games. He shattered Vancouver point records and broke the SMJHL point record of 66 points in 40 games during the S23 season. Additionally, Andrey captained the Whalers for two seasons, managed the Whalers for a season and finished his SMJHL career winning the Raymond Lindsay Trophy for MVP voted by the players, Jared Hanson Trophy for Most Points and Elias Armia Award for MVP voted by commissioner. The one thing Barbashev was unable to accomplish, was winning the Four Star Cup and brining it back to Vancouver.
Today, Andrey gets the opportunity to relive his dream of winning the Four Star Cup in Vancouver. This time however, it is through his son's eyes.

[Image: av-1485.png]

Anze Barbashev was born in Toronto, Ontario during Andrey's third season as a North Star. Anze along with his father Andrey have dual citizenship between Russia and Canada given the Russian background. Andrey decided to have his son stay in Canada to be closer to family and grow up playing North American style of hockey. Immediately you could tell that Anze was born to be a hockey player. At the early age of 3, he was already skating and by the age of 4 he was playing against 5/6 year olds in competitive hockey throughout the GTA. In Anze's younger years he played as a forward but transitioned himself into playing defence. "He always hated being scored on, you could tell it ate him up inside whenever he was on the ice for a goal against", his father said. With Anze's speed and vision to read plays, the transition to defence was an easy one for him. During his grade 6 year, Anze caught the attention of some of the top AAA teams in the area including Don Mills Flyers and Toronto Marlboros. "It was an odd process. In Russia we don't have teams approaching players at the age of 11. If you're good you play for U18s - but in Canada kids are being looked at to play before they hit puberty" laughed Andrey. Ultimately, Anze made the decision to lace up for the Toronto Marlboros AAA. He played the remainder of his young career there capturing 3 OHL cups and winning MVP once. Anze also represented team Russia for the super series which features the brightest and most talented up and coming stars in today's game. Due to Anze's desire to represent his country to play in the super series, he unfortunately had to miss the S35 SMJHL entry draft.

[Image: Antropov_AB46305-730x584.jpg]

What it meant to stay in Canada

For the Barbashev's playing hockey professionally was always the dream. In Russia they could play in the KHL but for Andrey and his family, the dream was always bigger. To play in the SHL would mean to play against some of the worlds top players. "If you can win here (SHL), then you know you are one of - if not the best in the world" said Anze. "For my dad, he wanted to be the best. Playing in Toronto has given him that opportunity. He always said, if you can win in Toronto you will be the best." Andrey who is playing his final season of a long career enters the playoffs the final time with the team that drafted him. "For my dad, winning means a great deal to him, but winning in Toronto would mean even more because this city has become our home for the past decade and a half. The fans are always crazy and you are noticed here when walking the streets. Back in Russia, no one would recognize you the way they do here". Playing in North America has also given Anze a competitive edge as he will continue learning and developing at a high level on North American ice. As Anze gets set for the S36 SMJHL draft, he is grateful to have played the North America way as he feels it has elevated his game and has brought him to where he is today.

[Image: MarliesCupChamps3946.jpg]

Why Vancouver?

Anze Barbashev is no stranger to WhalerNation. He and his family come back to his fathers cottage every summer and participate annually in Andrey's hockey school for underprivileged children and families located in the heart of Vancouver. As we are already aware, his dad played his entire SMJHL career as a Whaler and brought them inches from a Four Star Cup - only to fall to the Detroit Falcons in the finals. For Anze he saw an opportunity to do something his dad was unable to, and that is to bring the Cup back to Vancouver. Along with the Whalers, three other teams offered Anze a contract to play in the SMJHL. All were playoff contenders and all were $2,000,000 + contracts. Ultimately, Anze decided he wanted to play for Vancouver.
"Everyone knows what Andrey brought to Vancouver during his time as a Whaler. We believe that his son Anze can do the same. I immediately reached out to Anze after he declared eligible for the SMJHL. Anze brings size, scoring and depth to our roster. He's the type of player that does the little things right and ultimately that will make the biggest difference." - Vancouver Management

[Image: 1297456504177_ORIGINAL.jpg?quality=80&si...6950527717]

[Image: 1297456504177_ORIGINAL.jpg?quality=80&si...6950527717]

Like Father Like Son

Like Andrey, Anze is a very gifted player. Very talented offensively and a strong knowledge of the game defensively. Andrey use to take Anze to outdoor rinks to primarily work on Anze's defensive side of his game. "Without defence, there's no offence" said Anze. "That's the most important aspect of the game in my opinion". As his father Andrey is heavily regarded as one of the best two way centres in the game, there's no question that Anze's game defensively has potential to be nothing but world class. As for expectations, when asked if he will try to break his fathers records, Anze simply said, "the game is a lot faster and competitive today. You can already see it as my dads game had to adjust for the North Stars in order to keep his spot on the roster. We are also two different types of players, so there is really no comparison other than the fact we share the last name. End of the day, I'm here to win cups; not to win individual trophies".

[Image: 5e4a38b0-f05f-11e5-8ac7-d7b73b06a886_Antropovs.jpg]

[Image: 5e4a38b0-f05f-11e5-8ac7-d7b73b06a886_Antropovs.jpg]

S36 SMJHL Draft

This is the biggest question mark for Anze Barbashev at this moment in time. He knows Detroit just swept Halifax for the lottery which means the Falcons will own the #1 Overall pick and a chance to select Anze. Despite a high desire to stay a Whaler, he's also fully aware that the odds of returning as a Whaler is unlikely, which also influenced his decision on signing with Vancouver for their playoff run. This all said, Anze is most likely seeking a top 4 role and a large enough contract that can help him sustain weekly training throughout the season. When asked about where Anze would like to play next season, he said "I will focus on that when the time comes. Today, it's all about Vancouver and winning a cup".

[Image: DDOq-WwXYAEPlOk.jpg]

</div>

Camo · 07-15-2017, 01:28 PM

Wooo Barbashev dynasty! :D

DeletedAtUserRequest · 07-15-2017, 01:38 PM

|

|

|

|

CFJ · 07-15-2017, 02:17 PM

Barbashev future Crow

Thanks to prettyburn, TML, Carpy, JNH, Jepox, Engi, Karey, Flappy, Skolpadder, Mook, DollarAndADream, Smirnov and Toe for the sigs.

Code:
Crossfit's First Career SHL Goal, 4. Manhattan Rage , Crossfit Jesus 1 (Pedro Sarantez, Nucky Toohoots) at 5:51

Code:
Devitt's First Career SHL Goal, 5. Calgary Dragons , Prince Devitt 1 (Barry Batsbak 21, Mike Izzy 14) at 10:43

Navigation

Extra Menu

About us