Severstal Cherepovets News

Soon to be 22-years-old Yuri Alexandrov has been signed by the Boston Bruins of the NHL to a two-year contract, as reported by Capgeek.com.

Alexandrov had a career season this year in the KHL with Severstal Cherepovets, with 21 points (five goals and 16 assists) in 56 regular season games.

In the past Alexandrov skated with team Russia on the international stage in two WJCs (2007 and 2008) and in one U18 WJC (2006). Most likely the young defenseman will start the season with the Providence Bruins of the AHL.

Viktor Tikhonov has been recalled by the Phoenix Coyotes of the NHL. Tikhonov, 21, has been sent to the KHL on November 28th and scored 14 games and 1 assist in 15 games with Severstal Cherepovets.

The grandson of the legendary Soviet coach Viktor Tikhonov is at his second year in North America. After being drafted in the first round of 2008 NHL Entry Draft, he played 61 games in his NHL rookie campaign, with eight goals and as many assist.

After this year's training camp he has been assigned to the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL, but he decided to bolt back to Russia and was assigned to Severstal Cherepovets.

Viktor Tikhonov declared that he's not going to return back in Severstal next year. After scoring two goals to in the regular season contest between Severstal Cherepovets and Metallurg Novokuznetsk, he has been interviewed by a reporter of the local website sport-nk.ru.

RussianHockeyFans.com offers you a translation of the most interesting parts of the interview:

Where do you plan to spend the next season?
Viktor Tikhonov: "I have to come back to Phoenix, I have a three years deal with them. Most likely I'm going to play there."

Is there a big difference between the NHL and the KHL?
Viktor Tikhonov: "A little bit in the game's speed. And the different rinks size too."

St. Louis Blues' Russian prospect Nikolay Lemtyugov has been traded from Severstal Cherepovets to Ak Bars Kazan.

The former Peoria Rivermen's player has been sent to Severstal for the quick winger Evgeny Ketov, who disappointed in Kazan after being brought there from Lada Togliatti.

Nikolay Lemtyugov scored this year nine goals and twenty-three points in 39 regular season matches, being -1 and gettin an average ice time of about fifteen minutes a game.

Just a week ago Ak Bars got Hannes Hyvonen from Dynamo Minsk.

Viktor Tikhonov, 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.

Viktor Tikhonov, who was loaned to Severstal of the KHL by the Phoenix Coyotes, scored two goals in his debut game.

Tikhonov spent on ice 17:56, had 7 shots on goal and a +2 rating. His Severstal faced HC MVD and won 5:3.

"I missed Russia and our hockey very much," said Tikhonov after the game. "Two goals in a debut is a great start, as for me. I'll try to keep up the pace. Of course I wanted to score but I didn't have to try hard because it's easy to score with such partners as mine. It didn't take me long to adjust to the game as the team's roster is almost the same as it was when I left for the North America. My grandfather (famous coach Viktor Vasilievich Tikhonov) was at the game today so I dedicate these goals to him! I will find out if they took the puck for me and then I'll give it to my grandfather."