Russia today has announced their squad and squad captains for the upcoming World Junior Championship, featuring a great combination of soon-to-be SHLers and promising players who will no doubt join them soon. Let's go through it!
Goalies:
Aleksi O'Koivu-Volkova (@Wally, MTL): "AOV", as he is known as, has been a backbone in nets for the Militia, who are currently competing in the SMJHL finals. He was 5th in the league in both GAA (2.67) and save percentage (.891%), while playing the second-most minutes of any netminder in the league. He will be a shoe-in at starter for the entire tournament.
Alexandr Alexandrov (@dmuda11, FA): The undrafted free agent from S44 joins AOV as a more experienced goalie who provided a more veteran presence behind the Montreal tendy in the depth chart.
Defence:
Anastasia O'Koivu (@Pris, COL): O'Koivu, the backbone of the Colorado Raptors backline who is due to join the Hamilton Steelhawks soon, is a very talented defensive defender who does not allow much to get beyond her. A second overall pick in her draft, she is a lock for the top defensive unit of this Russian team.
Oliver Klozoff (@Alex Mack, MTL): Klozoff, a steal of an undrafted pick for the Militia, will suit up alongside O'Koivu in the defensive unit of Russia. A 60th overall pick in his SHL draft year, Klozoff projects to be a solid SHL blueliner who can provide on both ends of the rink.
Egor Kucherov (@Djenthallman, VAN): Yet another key squad member coming from S45, Kucherov is a pure shutdown defenceman who will be a vital component of the team's penalty killing and general defensive situations. He was a 4th round pick for the LA Panthers in S46.
Piotr Horvat (@Slowpoke, KEL): A S48 SHL rookie who will be drafted in the upcoming SHL selection, Horvat is a rock-solid defenceman whose game is already full of poise and talent at a young age. The youngster only adds to a very exciting core group on the blueline for Russia.
Zarley Zalapski (@PenKnight, MTL): Another S48 prospect looking to make his mark on the international level, Zalapski, currently involved in the SMJHL finals with Montreal, is a smooth-skating and technically gifted youngster who will bring much-needed offence from the blueline.
Igor Volkov (@TheHockeyist, VAN): The last of the blueliners in this Russian squad, Volkov is another intelligent defensive-minded defenceman who adds even more poise and ability to a stacked D-core.
Forwards:
Jerry Mander (@GCool, ANA): One of the star men in an Anaheim team that upset St. Louis to make the finals, Mander shook the hockey world when announced earlier in the season that he would retire in the SMJHL following the end of his 5-year stint in Anaheim. He also announced that he would be finishing his career as a defenceman, but due to roster needs he will be suiting up on the top forward line for Russia.
Aleksandr Scherbak (@jjaybs, KEL): The star center of this team, Scherbak put up 29 points on a lacklustre Kelowna team, and will be expected to produce well for Russia. A strong and accurate shot is his best asset, one that will be inavluable to the squad.
Vadim Malichov (@lizzywho, KEL): Scherbak's friend and teammate on Kelowna, Malichov, an 18th overall pick in the S46 J draft, is a talented winger with a strong shot and good physicality. He scored 14 goals and 27 points for Kelowna last season.
Gunnar Petrov (@Hanson94, ANA): A skilled sniper, Petrov netted 12 goals and 23 point with the Outlaws, as well as 4 points in the playoffs. He was a 4th round pick for Anaheim in S46, and will provide invaluable secondary scoring.
Valeri Tikhonov (@mel24, STL): Another forward with a lethal shot that adds to a forward group gifted in this domain, Tikhonov did not quite see the ice enough to have a sizeable impact on a strong Scarecrows team, posting 13 points while averaging about 8 minutes a game. He will provide strong depth to the wings of the team.
Mika Kandinsky (@Mika_Kandinsky, STL): A third class of S48 prospect that is very highly rated going into the coming SHL draft, Kandinsky will play a large role in the team as the second line center. He also did not see much ice time on St. Louis, but put in a strong playoff showing, getting 3 goals and an assist despite averaging 7.8 minutes a game.
Gabriel Johnson (@Gwdjohnson, ANC): Another defenceman-turned-forward in the team, Johnson signed up for the Russian team for this tournament due to his close relationship to their GM, and will be lining up in the top-6, likely on the right wing. Soon to be drafted, Johnson is rated as one of the better prospects of his draft class. ( )
Mister McCarty (@Mark H, LBL): One of the most veteran players on the team, McCarty is a strong and responsible center who brings a lot of energy and physicality to the fold. He will suit up as an important member of the bottom six, in what will be his last WJC.
Oleg Scoreov (@MR_Datsyuk13, FA): Another strong sniper in the team, Scoreov, currently a free agent, was a 6th round draft pick for Halifax who brings talent and an efficient shot to the depth of the team.
Alexey Ivanov (@JoeyOCanada, FA): Ivanov, currently a free agent, was a 9th round pick in the massive S45 SMJHL draft, and he is another among the group with a slick release and solid technique.
Pavel Volkov (@TeaKay, FA): A free agent player at the moment, Volkov rounds out the centers in this team. He plays a solid all-around game that will slot into the fourth line very well for Russia.
Dwayn Petatyutin (@Petatyutin, FA): Rounding out the S48 prospects in the team, Petatyutin, currently a free agent after going undrafted, brings youthful energy and a solid all-around game to the depth of the Russian team.
Captains:
Assistant Captain #1: Jerry Mander (ANA)
Assistant Captain #2: Oliver Klozoff (MTL)
Russian Captain: Anastasia O'Koivu (COL)
Russians will watch with great anticipation as their best prospects get prepared to go out and make a big impact on the world stage!
Word Count: More or less 1k
P.S: I'm sorry to the people I pinged many times by saving drafts of this announcement, I had no clue that it did that LMAO
05-31-2019, 02:23 PMGwdjohnson Wrote: P.S: I'm sorry to the people I pinged many times by saving drafts of this announcement, I had no clue that it did that LMAO
is ok bb we luv u <3
Proud to represent as always, proud to have the honor of serving as captain... for basically the first time ever in Russia hahaha
Gwdjohnson
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