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Russian Junior Team B takes on Holy Cross, Army, and Yale

B

Bullmoose

New member
Hey folks,

So the Russian Jr. Team B (a.k.a. the "Red Star" team, a.k.a. MHL Selects -- and those are just the Russian sources) takes one three college teams in the Northeast:

Dec. 27: at Holy Cross
Dec. 28: at Army
Dec. 29: at Yale

This team is assembled out of the Russian Major Junior leaguers who didn't get invited to the team Russia is sending to the IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo. Russian Major Junior League is called the MHL ("Molodezhnaya Hokeinaya Liga" or Junior Hockey League). They are organised similarly to the Short-season Class A Minor League Baseball, in that each junior team is affiliated with and get players contracted by the "major league" -- in this case, the KHL, and there is an age ceiling (the notable difference between American professional d-leagues is that there are a few independent teams in the MHL not affiliated with a KHL club, thus, MHL has more clubs than KHL). Thus, players on the team facing the colleges are 18-20 years old. Would folks on this board like more information about the Russian team, from Russian sources?

Also, if folks have general questions about KHL/MHL/Russian hockey, feel free to ask -- I follow the KHL pretty closely, MHL less closely.

I will be at those three games, supporting my countrymen.
 
Re: Russian Junior Team B takes on Holy Cross, Army, and Yale

That Russian team has a lousy SOS, no wonder they are not ranked ;)

Bullmoose, any info would be appreciated, I will be at the Yale contest. There is some info on Red Star posted already on the Yale season thread.
 
Re: Russian Junior Team B takes on Holy Cross, Army, and Yale

Ok, first an update on the whereabouts of this team. According to http://mhl.khl.ru/news/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=3746 (text in Russian), due to the blizzard in the Northeast, their flight to JFK got cancelled. They are still in Moscow. The current plan is to leave Moscow's Sheremetevo Airport early Monday morning Moscow time (late night EST) on a flight to Boston, where they'd land on Monday morning (I have no idea how they'll fly direct from Moscow to Boston unless they got a charter, as there are no direct regularly scheduled flights between those two cities.) As far as I can tell, they haven't cancelled the game against Holy Cross. If they arrive to Boston tomorrow morning, I don't see them cancelling. I'll keep posting on this thread with updates.

In the next message I'll post a translated article about the team that some folks may find interesting.
 
Re: Russian Junior Team B takes on Holy Cross, Army, and Yale

Here is some info about the team. This was published yesterday and is translated from Russian: http://mhl.khl.ru/news/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=3738 using google translate and cleaned up somewhat by me. Note that birthdays follow the European date format: Day.Month.Year

THEY DEFEND THE HONOR OF MHL

From December 27 to January 4, a team composed of players from the Russian Junior Hockey League will tour North America for the first time in history. Their opponents will be the teams of higher education institutions and conferences teams in Ontario league. So who in the very near future will put on the uniform of "Red Star"?

Goalkeepers

Rafael Khakimov
Tolpar
Born 04/06/1990
In the MHL 2010/11 regular season - 24 games, 15 wins, 93.0% save percentage. Statistically the best goalkeeper of the MHL regular season thus far, giving up only 1.83 goals per game. He has Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Raphael painted on his helmet, for which he received the same nickname from his teammates. Favorite players - Dominik Hasek, and Ilya Bryzgalov.

Roman SMIRYAGIN
Diamond
19.04.1990
17, 10, 93,3%
The pupil of the Moscow school "Rus" trails Khakimov's GAA by only 0.01 goals per game. He is friends with Filip Toluzakovym and Yaroslav Tulyakova. Can punish opponents for hanging around the goalmouth. He likes to bark at the defenders, but in everyday life he is a calm guy.

Oleg Shilin
Omsk Hawks
4.05.1991
17, 11, 89,3%
After a disastrous start, Omsk Hawks are still involved in the hunt for a play-off spot largely thanks to robust game of this 19-year old goalkeeper. Good in a series of shoot-outs - won almost all of his this season.

Defenders

Mikhail Churlyaev
Steel Foxes
22.10.1989
In the MHL 2010/11 regular season - 12 matches, 10 (2+8) points, 6 penalty minutes, and +10 a rating. Captain of the "Red Star" and the "Steel Foxes", which has already won three trophies - Cup for winning the regular season in 2009/10, the Kharlamov Cup for winning the 2010 play-offs and the Opening Game Cup (Note from translator: this is a minor trophy, awarded to the team that wins the season-opening game -- usually contested between the previous season's play-off finalists). Leader both on the ice and in the locker room. Has an excellent shot, plays well both on the power-play and on the penalty kill. Very funny in person. The distinguishing feature - a beard.

Sergei Tereshchenko
Steel Foxes
28.12.1991
30, 16 (6+10), 24, +11
Like Churlyaev, won three trophies MHL. Excellent at seeing the ice, has a good shot. Quite ready to play in the KHL. Her dream is to play at the Romazan Memorial Tournamenet (Note from translator: KHL pre-season tournament). This summer, when "Steel Foxes" for the first time participated in Magnitogorsk pre-season tournament, was with the Russian Junior National Team.

Ildar Isangulov
Tolpar
20.05.1992
28, 15 (1+14), 44, +16
Overall, strong, tough defender, likes hitting the opponent. Fighter to the bone. In games against the North Americans may become crucial, as he can definitely stand up for himself and his teammates. Modest. He is not afraid of pain - at an open practice suffered a broken tooth, but continued the workout without blinking an eye.

Dmitry Kostromitin
Polar Bears
22.01.1990
26, 18 (3+15), 58, +2
As Churlyaev, a real captain, leader of the Polar Bears. Spent two years in the lower North American leagues, and then returned to his native Chelyabinsk. Participated in the U18 and U20 World Championships, where the Russians could not win the title. Expect the grudge he's held against Canada to motivate him on this tour.


Konstantin PLAKSIN
Polar Bears
15.10.1990
29, 18 (7+11), 63, -5
As Kostromitinov, a key player in the Polar Bears defense. But unlike his partner, he has already spent 40 matches for the Traktor in the KHL. A powerful defender, an enforcer. Off the ice - friendly.

Anton Popov
MHK Chemist
18.06.1991
31, 11 (8+3), 16, +12
The leader and captain of the Chemist, the best defender of the team. Largely thanks to him, last years outsider transformed into a play-off contender. Has one of the most popular names in the league - there are five other players with the last name Popov.


Yegor Yakovlev
Bars
17.09.1991
34, 30 (7+23), 32, +25
The best scoring defender of the regular season so far, having the best +/- among defensemen. Good at face-offs, winning half of them. Capable of powerful and accurate shot from the blue line. Indispensable on the power play.

Eriks SHEVCHENKO
HK Riga
28.04.1991
32, 10 (3+7), 22, +11
Lett with typical Ukrainian surname. At the last moment replaced Red Army's Alexei Marchenko on the defense, due to the latter being promoted to the CSKA. One of the leaders of the defense, perhaps the best rookie of MHL regular season so far.

(continued in the next message)
Click to expand...
 
Re: Russian Junior Team B takes on Holy Cross, Army, and Yale

(continued from previous post)

Forwards

Dmitry POTAYCHUK
White Tigers
9.11.1989
32, 36 (17+19), 20, -7
Best scorer of the "White Tigers" combines the quality of the sniper and an assistant. Winger, able to play in the center. In general, all-around player, but have to improve on the face-offs. Loves detective stories by Agatha Christie and Daria Dontsova. Serious beyond his years.

Yaroslav Alshevsky
Reaktor
9.05.1991
24, 32 (9+23), 62, +6
As befits a man born in the Victory Day, the winner in spirit. At the beginning of the season was involved by Vladimir Krikunov (Translator's note: head coach of Neftekhimik) for matches for KHL's Neftekhimik. He is doubly dangerous in conjunction with his brother Stanislav, triply-dangerous - with center forward Airat Ziazovym. Well disciplined, but does not recognize authority on the ice (Translator's note: I don't know what this means either).

Pyotr Khokhryakov
ReaKtor
16.01.1990
23, 20 (9+11), 14, +5
In the absence of injured Ziazova able to bind to link Alshevsky brothers. With this has become one of the leaders of the team. Strong in the face-off. As a real Capricorn, hard-nosed in a good way.

Raimonds VILKOYTS
HK Riga
10.04.1990
32, 30 (17+13), 20, +15
This season's rookie sensation is leading his teammates in HK "Riga". He has thus proved his necessity to Julius Shupleru, the head coach of Dinamo Riga (KHL club). Already managed to play 3 matches and score one goal in the KHL. Major hope of Latvian hockey. Speaks pretty good Russian.

Albert Zagidullin
Olympia
14.09.1989
34, 31 (12+19), 32, 0
Good with hands, sees the ice well. Able to both serve a precise assist and complete the attack. Best scorer of his club by a wide margin. The only player with a non-negative +/- of the ones consistently getting playing time for "Olympia".

Yaroslav Tulyakov
Russian Knights
7.04.1990
36, 42 (13+29), 58, -9
The powerful forward that does not have trouble gaining a lot of points. The leader of an outsider in the Central Division. Largely thanks to him, Russian Knights still have a chance of getting into the playoffs. Resilient, ready to fight on the ice even with the injury.

Alexander Streltsov
Avto
31.01.1990
21, 23 (13+10), 28, +7

Vasily Streltsov
Avto
31.01.1990
20, 22 (10+12), 58, +6
Doubly dangerous on the ice together. Both - the future of hockey in Ekaterinburg. Actively involved in "Avtomobilist" (KHL) by head coach Eugene Mukhin, who saw the talent in these twins last season. There is no pronounced sniper among them - they can score themselves, and give an assist.

Filip TOLUZAKOV
MHK Spartak
10.01.1989
28, 31 (14+17), 12, +9
Technical skater. Leader of the MHC Spartak. Was called up to the major league club for five games, but did not perform well-enough to earn a promotion. Likes to work out penalty shots, demonstrating the most unexpected moves and feints.

Pavel DEDUNOV
Amur Tigers
8.04.1990
32, 26 (13+13), 14, +12
Churlyaeva rival in size the beard, but thanks to his girlfriend, shaves more often. Born in the town with the beautiful name of Bolshoy Kamen (Translator's note: "Large Stone"), in Primorsky Krai. Has experience in the KHL and the World Junior Championship. He likes to score goals, but knows how to give an assist. During his career fought five times during the game, but never left the ice with blood.

Dmitry Lugin
Amur Tigers
1.04.1990
26, 31 (11 +20), 38, +10
The main scorer and leader of the club. Known in Russia playing for Dynamo Moscow and its farm club. But few know that he was born in Khabarovsk. Skilled assistman. In his club he does not play on the line with Dedunov, but "Red Star" will unite their efforts.

Nikita Feoktistov
Minsk Bison
23.06.1990
33, 30 (11+19), 50, +7
Excellent puck-handler, knows how to command it and give a pass. Thanks to Feoktistov Minsk Bison is still in play-off contention. In the closest reserve of both the Belarus National Team and Minsk Dynamo. Made a good impression on the coaches of the "Red Star".

Nikita Tochitskiy
SKA-1946
17.08.1991
32, 50 (11+39), 20, +8
The star of the MHL, the best scorer and assistant in the league. The captain of the Team West in the Challenge Cup that will take place in February in Ufa. Perpetually looking for his permanent linemate Albert Konozov on the ice.

Albert KONOZOV
SKA-1946
4.06.1991
34, 43 (22+21), 52, +9
Single entity with Nikita Tochitskiy - one gives an assist, the other scores. Is able to competently bang around the crease, redirect the puck with a stick. Excellent command of the puck. Coupled with Tochitskiy, organized the lion's share of goals for SKA-1946. Unfortunately, the teams is moving further and further out of play-off contention with each day.

Scrimmage
Yesterday the Red Star met with the Wings of Soviets and won 6:3 (1:0, 3:2, 2:1). Goals for the Red Star were scored by Khokhryakov, V. Streltsov, Isangulov, Tereshchenko, Kostromitin and Lazarev. Each of the goalies served for one period. Red Army's Alexei Marchenko was replaced by HK Riga's defender Eriks Shevchenko.

Sergei Begishev, "Soviet sport"
Click to expand...
 
Re: Russian Junior Team B takes on Holy Cross, Army, and Yale

Thanks for the very detailed report. Should be an interesting game. Hopefully they make it here. I would not count on Logan being open in the early AM tomorrow.
 
Re: Russian Junior Team B takes on Holy Cross, Army, and Yale

Just got back from the trip to West Point and New Haven.

Russians were clearly gassed in the Yale game -- I think the long wait for transportation (and the disruption of scheduling stemming from that), the reduced roster (they had to leave 3 players in Moscow because there was simply no room on the charter), and the lack of time adjust for jet lag all reared their ugly head in that game.

What the hell with the experimental short-handed icing rule??? I've never seen it in any hockey league, European or American or International... Seems like noone told the Russians that they'll be playing under this rule. The first Yale goal came about because Russians couldn't change the line... Seems like they made the adjustment though...

Unlike some other posters on this board, I think that this Yale team is legit. I was impressed that that were able to skate with and beat this highly skilled (albeit very tired) Russian team. And I understand that Yale was playing without Little, Bachman and a couple of other top players....

Re: Army game. Army team showed a lot of heart, and carried a 3-2 lead into the second period. They are a good, hard-nosed, disciplined team. Noone outstanding on it, but the sum is much greater than the individual components. Those guys knew where their linemates were on the ice at all times -- a mark of an experienced team. That's what I saw in Mullins Center in November (when they beat UMass) and that's what I saw at Tate two days ago. The final score (11-4 Russia) was more indicative of superior skill level of the Russian team...

Hope this Russian MHL teams comes to the States again next year.
 
Re: Russian Junior Team B takes on Holy Cross, Army, and Yale

BM, was that you happily waving the federation flag all game. The team was very skilled and somewhat undisciplined when it came to checking and hitting, other than that a very entertaining game. FYI Bachman (Backman) graduated last year, missing from the Yale lineup were the three top scorers, Little, Kearney and O'Neil, so we were shorthanded as well. I was also surprised to see icing called during the powerplay, international rules maybe? I hope the team has some more time to enjoy the US before its return to Mother Russia, maybe the Yale guys took them to Mory's for some food.
 
Re: Russian Junior Team B takes on Holy Cross, Army, and Yale

jcarter7669 said:
?? So does Yale, somehow they won the opinion poll...
Click to expand...

It was a joke Kreskin, hence the winky thing. I was referencing all of the Yale doubters who keep pointing to strength of schedule as Yales lack of hockey cred. It was also a continuation of FlagDudes post.
 
Re: Russian Junior Team B takes on Holy Cross, Army, and Yale

LTsatch said:
I was also surprised to see icing called during the powerplay, international rules maybe?
Click to expand...

Experimental NCAA rule to be used in all, but only, exhibitions. I wasn't a huge fan of it when I saw the SLU/Carleton game earlier this year, but if they want to increase scoring and truly make you pay for taking a penalty, then so be it. But with the consistency of reffing in just about every conference...
 
Re: Russian Junior Team B takes on Holy Cross, Army, and Yale

Bullmoose said:
Seems like noone told the Russians that they'll be playing under this rule.
Click to expand...

Paul Stewart was down in the Russian locker room before the game and he spent at least 10 minutes talking to Semek and the other coaches about the rule and how the ref's would be calling icing, penalties, etc. Stewart closed by telling Semek that Yale is the fastest team he had ever seen in college and he (Stewart) thought they were as good as some pro teams he'd seen; to which Semek raised his eyebrows in surprise.

Yale's top players (Little, Kearney, O'Neill, Miller) all sat out the game. Nice to see Root, Peltz and Otto playing. Root and Peltz scored and had some decent shots. Otto rang the post in the first period as well.
 
Re: Russian Junior Team B takes on Holy Cross, Army, and Yale

hockeyplayer1015 said:
Experimental NCAA rule to be used in all, but only, exhibitions. I wasn't a huge fan of it when I saw the SLU/Carleton game earlier this year, but if they want to increase scoring and truly make you pay for taking a penalty, then so be it. But with the consistency of reffing in just about every conference...
Click to expand...

We did not use it during the USA/RPI game, however I think instead we used IIHF rules. No touch icing, 4 on 4 overtime, etc.
 
Re: Russian Junior Team B takes on Holy Cross, Army, and Yale

Sorry for resurrecting this thread -- I was away from the computer for a while.

Here is a photo gallery on the MHL site from the Yale game, for those interested: http://mhl.khl.ru/photos/index.php?PAGE_NAME=section&SECTION_ID=113

LTsatch said:
BM, was that you happily waving the federation flag all game.
Click to expand...

That was my fellow countryman with the large flag. I was next to him in a red Russian National Team jersey with a small flag on a flagpole.

LTsatch said:
I hope the team has some more time to enjoy the US before its return to Mother Russia, maybe the Yale guys took them to Mory's for some food.
Click to expand...

I don't know whether they were taken to Mory's. The team is currently in Niagara Falls, ON, getting ready to take on the Golden Horseshoes Conference (OHA) All-Stars.

Stan The Man said:
Paul Stewart was down in the Russian locker room before the game and he spent at least 10 minutes talking to Semek and the other coaches about the rule and how the ref's would be calling icing, penalties, etc. Stewart closed by telling Semek that Yale is the fastest team he had ever seen in college and he (Stewart) thought they were as good as some pro teams he'd seen; to which Semek raised his eyebrows in surprise.
Click to expand...

Ahh, thanks for the info. As I said, it *seemed* like they didn't know they were playing under that icing rule at first. They adjusted after the first two penalties...
 
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