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Oct32011 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Alexander Avtsin: I hope to play some pre-season games

Alexander Avtsin: I hope to play some pre-season games (Photo © cyberpress.ca) 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 C...

Aug52011 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Alexei Kovalev: “I had two offers from NHL teams, but I decided to get back to Russia”

KHL News and Interviews

Alexei Kovalev: "I had two offers from NHL teams, but I decided to get back to Russia" (Photo © Getty Images) 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 ...

Nov282010 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Mikhail Stefanovich assigned to Dynamo Minsk

KHL News and Interviews

Mikhail Stefanovich assigned to Dynamo Minsk (Photo © Life.com) 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 ...

Nov22010 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Artyukhin’s contract with SKA confirmed

KHL News and Interviews

Artyukhin's contract with SKA confirmed (Photo © Jeff Gross/Getty Images) 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.

Oct292010 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Ramo on NHL, goalie fighting, move to Habs, ties with Tortorella

KHL News and Interviews

Ramo on NHL, goalie fighting, move to Habs, ties with Tortorella (Photo © Getty Images) 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. You played under John Tortorella. Is it true that he considers you late at the practice if you arrive only two minutes before its start? Ramo: "He always wants you perfectly on time. John always says playes to come earlier. If we agreed to meet, let's s...

Oct172010 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Sergei Bobrovsky: “Philadelphia is a great city”

Russian Players In NHL

Sergei Bobrovsky: "Philadelphia is a great city" (Photo © Jeff Gross/Getty Images) 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 ...

Sep292010 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Slava Kozlov signs with CSKA Moscow

KHL News and Interviews

Slava Kozlov signs with CSKA Moscow (Photo © Getty Images) 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...

Sep252010 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Marek Svatos signs with Avangard Omsk

KHL News and Interviews

Marek Svatos signs with Avangard Omsk (Photo © Getty Images) 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.

Sep242010 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Chris Bourque: “Got sick of waiting for my chance in Washington and then being used to plug holes in roster”

KHL News and Interviews

Chris Bourque: "Got sick of waiting for my chance in Washington and then being used to plug holes in roster" (Photo © SportsDaily) 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 everything in the AHL - like the Calder Cup and the pla...

Sep222010 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Alexander Semin on being playoff choker, contract with Caps

Russian Players In NHL

Alexander Semin on being playoff choker, contract with Caps (Photo © Luis M. Alvarez/Associated Press) Alexander Semin talked with Slava Malamud of Sport-Express about being a playoff choker and his contract with the Capitals. Here is a quick translation. Semin: "I can't get into the Caps bosses' heads. I don't know what they are thinking. Even if they trade me, so what? I'd finish the season somewhere else, then become a free agent. But I have been here for five years and I like it. It's comfortable here." Some say that you are a playoff choker. What do you think? Semin: "They can say whatever they want. I think that a player must be a player everywhere - in the regular season and in the playoffs. You know, it happens when you have no luck and it just doesn't click. And what, should I th...