ADT Challenge: Russians Gone but Not Forgotten

The 2007 version of the Russian team that competed in the Canada/Russia challenge was a much-improved squad compared with previous teams. This team was compromised primarily of 1988-born players with many still draft eligible this year giving NHL scouts another chance to see what was missed the first time around. The Russians managed to win two games and lose one in a shootout with victories coming against Team QMJHL and Team WHL. Since the tournament's inception five years ago, the Russians have yet to beat Team OHL in 10 games. McKeen's correspondent David Burstyn looks at several Russian players who performed admirably in the third game of the series held in Kitchener on November 22.

Stanislav Galimov (2008), G, Ak Bars, Kazan

A highly athletic goalie with an unorthodox style .. named player of the game for Team Russia .. quick glove hand that he flashed often .. challenged shooters and forced them to take the shot .. relied primarily on reflexes, as his positioning was wayward .. hybrid goalie whose concentration down low helped him make many key saves in the later stages of the game .. kept his team in the contest, as he faced 47 shots and stymied Team OHL on the PP.

Pavel Doronin (2008), D, Salavat Yulaev

Captain of Team Russia .. played a conservative style-of-game and led by example, as his work ethic was flattering .. average skill set .. he showed poise with the puck but was inconsistent with his first pass, as he appeared slightly intimidated with Canada's aggressive forecheck .. limited feet and overall mobility combined with lack of grit made him vulnerable to the outside.

Marat Kalimulin (2008), D, Lada Togliatti

A serviceable defenseman who played an all-purpose game .. not afraid to jump into the play and attempt to create offence .. he showed some hesitation in the neutral zone and surrendered valuable ice that was swallowed up by faster Team OHL forwards .. had a difficult time making adjustments in the defensive zone and his slow feet did not help him .. he competed down low, as he showed good balance and was able to fend off a cycling attack.

Evgeny Kurbatov (2008), D, Anangard, Omsk

Physical specimen who was Russia's biggest and meanest player .. he relished in the physical side of the game and often tried to goad Team OHL forwards into taking penalties, as he played a very pestering style-of-game .. decent stride that helped him launch into the offensive zone .. played the point on the PP, as he could control the line and boasted a good shot with healthy puck distribution skills .. very sloppy in the defensive side of the rink .. he constantly lost guys down low while attempting to line them up with a hit .. he made many mistakes, as he did not evaluate his options thoroughly and coughed-up the puck often.

Nikolay Okhlobystin (2008), RW, Khimik, Moscow

Deceptive player who is not a scorer or a checker but somehow manages to create opportunities for himself .. sneaky and elusive, he found ways to get around defenseman and remain unnoticed .. he is a better open-ice player, as he was knocked off the puck too easily .. an average skater with limited speed .. he also made poor defensive reads .. with all the knocks on him, he somehow managed to overachieve in this contest and architect some scoring chances.

Vadim Golubtsov (2008), LW, Amur, Khabarovsk

Team Russia's most consistent performer in terms of stickhandling ability and vision .. he made smart dump-ins and plays that accelerated offense .. exhibits patience with the puck .. very imaginative player who made passes to where teammates were supposed to be .. was not afraid to go to the wall to retrieve a puck to make a play .. played on both special teams .. showed a bit of sulkiness when his team was down in the third period.

Artem Gordeev (2008), C, Salavat Yulaev

Second-line centre meshed well with linemates, as he displayed patience and a strong feel for the game .. good vision backed with gifted playmaking abilities .. mirrored the efforts of Golubtsov in terms of overall consistency .. able to suck players out of position to create open ice for his linemates .. works hard and always stayed involved with a developing play .. went to the corner and played well in open ice .. he played better as the game wore on, as his confidence in all areas of his game improved.

Dmitri Sayustov (2008), C, Torpedo

First-line centre played admirably, as he has superior offensive instincts and was always around the puck .. healthy skater who pushed for the offense regularly .. he stayed with plays and was always buzzing around the goal .. good speed in short spaces allowed him to pounce on loose pucks .. came back defensively and tied up his man but was very offensive minded.

Alexei Dostoinov (2008), RW, Kitchener

Recently acquired by the Kitchener Rangers, Dostoniov had only played two games before sporting the Russian jersey on his home ice, yet his reception was very supportive .. a tall, lanky player who has a fluid stride and presence on the ice .. moves his feet and goes into open areas .. smart player without the puck .. created ample turnovers in the neutral zone, as he has an active stick and a long stride to cut the ice down .. he is agile and athletic, which helps him get to the puck but he needs to add some strength in both his upper and lower body to hold onto it longer.

Alexander Vasyunov (NJ), LW, Lokomotiv Yaroslv

Only forward to be drafted by an NHL team, Vasyunov was the most dynamic forward on Team Russia in terms of speed .. graceful stride coupled with multiple gears allowed him to motor freely up and down the ice .. he played an ok defensive game and was put on the PK .. with his speed, he was a threat to score and did a good job of positioning himself well to create turnovers .. has a good shot but was targeted and had a hard time unleashing it .. big body but rarely used it to muscle players off the puck .. has a good skill set but needs to play a more North American style-of-game.