2007 Super Series graduates ignite NHL

The original Canada / Russia Summit Series in 1972 was a charged affair that made its mark on the hearts and psyche of both nations.  Not that anyone was acutely aware of how it was to change hockey forever, but many knew at the time that fundamental changes had to be made by both countries to win the eight-game tournament.  Conceit, reputation, conditioning, and pride had as much to do with the outcomes as individual skill.  The Russians shocked the Canadians in the Canadian segment.  Paul Henderson, Phil Esposito, and the others quenched their thirsts and exercised an indomitable will in what remains as the peak of Canadian perseverance in hockey.

The two nations sought to renew those rivalries last summer in a much-ballyhooed event.  Team Canada skated away with the bragging rights this time in comparative ease.  New Jersey Devils Head Coach Brent Sutter, then with the Red Deer Rebels, was the Head Coach of a staff that also brought in Gatineau Olympiques’ bench boss Benoit Groulx.  Florida Panthers’ Head Coach Peter DeBoer, who led the Kitchener Rangers to be named Ontario Hockey League Champion, also breathed life into the staff as an Assistant Coach.  As one can see, it is not only the players themselves that were soon to impose their will at the National Hockey League level.

For Russia, Summit Series ’72 goaltending legend Vladislav Tretiak called upon Sergei Nemchinov to coach along with Yuri Leonov and Vladimir Popov.  Popov joined with the former Stanley Cup Champion Nemchinov on numerous occasions, most notably, the 2007 and 2008 ADT Canada-Russia Challenges.

Of the players Canada selected to take part in this event, none is having more success in the NHL right now than Columbus Blue Jacket goaltender, Steve Mason.  Mason’s save percentage of .932 is second only to Boston’s Tim Thomas, and he leads all NHL netminders with a 1.91 goals-against average.  Back spasms will apparently keep Mason from participating in the NHL Young Stars Game in Montreal.  His counterparts Jonathan Bernier (Kings) and Leland Irving (Flames) have become the focal points of their team’s net-minding depth chart.

Of all the Canadian players that are now plying their trades with NHL clubs, the most impact has been made by Milan Lucic.  The Boston Bruins made the Team Canada captain a second-round draft pick in 2006 and that gamble has paid off in a big way.  A heart-and-soul type, management and Beantown faithful alike identify with his style.  Lucic is among the league leaders in hits administered and leads his Bruins, and needs just one more point to match the point total of his rookie season last year.  Seven game-winning goals in such a short span and a +16 rating this season have really cemented Lucic as a pillar of strength for Cam Neely and Peter Chiarelli to build around.

Among the other forwards from Team Canada to immediately pay dividends to their draft teams are David Perron (Blues), Colton Gillies (Wild), Brandon Sutter (Hurricanes), Sam Gagner (Oilers), and Kyle Turris (Coyotes).  Many are counting on wunderkind John Tavares to bring legitimacy to a club soon, with his #1 status all but set for this summer’s draft.  Claude Giroux may be the most offensively gifted of the bunch and has earned a few games in a Philadelphia Flyers’ sweater this winter.

The Washington Capitals have had some injury trouble on the blueline and this has  expediated Karl Alzner’s progress to the big leagues.  Alzner has been known for his competitiveness and well-rounded play, which has translated to the NHL.  The league and Los Angeles managment alike have been absolutely astounded by the maturity and big-time play of young defender Drew Doughty, and the Maple Leafs feel assured that moving up in the draft to select Luke Schenn was a smart move, with his brand of no-nonsense and gritty play.

NHL clubs have brought in these fine young men and have been rewarded with outstanding play.  There are not many cases of disappointment, though the surprising retirement of Columbus prospect Stefan Legein still raises many questions.  For the Russian side, the tragic death of Alexei Cherepanov serves as the most heart-wrenching of the stories.

The Capitals have another outstanding prospect in goaltender Semen Varlamov.  Varlamov has rebounded nicely from the disappointing Super Series, enjoying a fine campaign in the American Hockey League, and winning his first two NHL starts with 61 saves on 64 total shots.  Varlamov has a rare opportunity to catch a rising young team at its height as he comes into his own.

Vadim Zhelobnyuk turned scouts on with his stellar play at the recent World Junior Hockey Championships in Ottawa.  Zhelobnyuk won the starting job during the tournament, posted grand numbers (.925 save %, 2.26 GAA), and was named one of the ‘3 best players’, as voted on by the coaches.  An NHL team may venture a draft pick on the netminder this summer, hoping for a windfall.

The most promising forward that has emerged from the rubble of Russia’s performance is Artem Anisimov.  After turning heads by winning both silver and bronze medals in world junior play, Anisimov has been turning red lights on consistently for the Hartford Wolf Pack in the AHL.  Just now gaining momentum, Anisimov is a player that loves to shoot the puck.  The Yaroslavl-born centre has only been held without a shot in three games this season.  Anisimov is among the AHL’s leading scorers, accumulating 46 points in 44 games, and brilliant chemistry with Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau and Brodie Dupont gives Hartford one of the best lines in the league.  The Rangers’ second-round steal is a shifty playmaker that will bring his multi-faceted game to the ‘Big Apple’ very soon.

Other Russian forward prospects are making solid impressions on the hockey world as of late, forcing their NHL clubs to take notice.  Evgeni Dadonov (Panthers) was a force for Russia at the 2009 World Junior Championship; Maxim Mayorov has earned some shifts with the Blue Jackets this year; Alexander Vasyunov has been rounding his game into form in Lowell (AHL) for the Devils.

The most promising Russian defender is Ivan Vishnevskiy.  The Dallas first-round draft choice has been a pleasant surprise in his first pro year with the Peoria Rivermen of the AHL, scoring 12 points thus far and earning his first call-up to the Stars.  A former QMJHL First Team All-Star, Vishnevskiy’s puck-moving abilities are well regarded by Dallas and when the timing is right, look for the Stars to bring him into the lineup full time.

Vyatcheslav Voynov will further strengthen what is shaping up to be an incredible defensive core in Los Angeles for years to come.  Voynov’s strong offensive flair and credentials are impressive.  He has taken part in the last three World Junior Championships for Russia, winning bronze twice and silver in 2007.  The Kings love his progress and the four goals plus eight assists he has scored as a 19 year-old in the AHL this year, adds luster. 

The Boston Bruins stand curious about second-rounder Yuri Alexandrov.  Alexandrov plays immense minutes, has wonderful range and skating, and is a lead-by-example type defenseman.  A shoulder injury last season limited his play for Severstal Cherepovets both last year and has limited him to 12 games this season.  Youth and his well-rounded game may serve him well in the future.

On the whole the prospects and roster players that took part in the Series are extraordinary players.  Despite the lop-sided outcome, the resolve and top-end talent of many of the Russian players is shining.  While the Canadians have made very solid progress for the most part, a number of the kids have exceeded expectations while some have faltered at times.  The expectations can be the most perilous barrier.

22 January 2009

Robin Keith Thompson