ADT Challenge: The Russians have left the Building

It was another disappointing outing for the travelling Russian team, as they only mustered a single victory in their six-game series against CHL teams. Since the tournament started in 2003, they have yet to beat Team OHL (0-12), have only beaten Team WHL once (1-12), but have a respectable 5-7 record against Team QMJHL with two wins coming courtesy of a shootout. Much like Hockey Canada uses this tournament as a means for evaluating talent for the WJC, so does Russia, as several players have a good chance to represent their team in Ottawa over the Christmas holidays. McKeen's was on hand for the Canada/Russia challenge and files notes on several Russian prospects.

Andrei Konev (2009), D, Chelyabinsk Traktor

No stranger to the International circuit, Konev, the team captain has participated in the Four Nations tournament last year capturing gold and was also a bronze medal winner in the World Junior A Challenge in 2006 .. known more for his defensive acumen, Konev did an admirable job keeping Team OHL forwards to the outside with his wingspan and better than average mobility .. he defends his goal with valour, as he willingly gave the lumber to forwards who got close .. was capable of making a good first pass but he fumbled the puck too often .. given the lack of talent on the Russians backend, he was forced to play the puck often and was put in a situation that was probably above his skill set .. more of a fourth or fifth defenseman, as opposed to the top pairing he was thrust into in this tournament .. has an outside chance of making Team Russia for the upcoming WJC.

Evgeni Dadonov (Fla), LW, Chelyabinsk Traktor

Another player with a plethora of International experience, Dadonov has played in all the important events/tournaments this past season and is a fixture on the National team .. not blessed with great speed, he makes up for it with his uncanny vision and quick hands .. he can stickhandle marvellously to gain the line, however he needs to be aware and exercise the simple play .. can be stripped off the puck by bigger defensemen who simply out muscle and lean on him .. he was a permanent option for coach Nemchinov who constantly threw him over the boards in PP situations .. not a great shot but in the open ice he can dangle his way down low giving himself enough room to slither a puck past the goalie or make a timely pass .. he is shifty and like most talented Russians his hand skills are perfectly trained .. should be a good option for Team Russia as he makes his second consecutive appearance on the WJC stage.

Pavel Chernov (2009), C, Atlant Mytischy

A cerebral forward who can play on any line and not hurt you .. he has played amongst some of the best in his age group including Grachev and Filatov and not looked out of place .. his game is based on anticipation, timing and an unrivalled hockey sense that always has him in the right place at the right time .. his speed however, raises many question marks and was a big reason why he was not drafted, despite being a first-line player on many Russian National teams .. he can play either wing and on both special teams .. he has good puckhandling ability and a decent scoring touch .. his active stick and pick pocketing ability make him effective in the neutral zone .. lack of speed may hinder his chances this season at the WJC stage.

Andrei Loktionov (LA), RW, Windsor

The seventh overall pick in the Import Draft, Loktionov gives the Spitfires yet another offensive weapon as his cool, calm approach to the game lends to his success .. his first step quickness and overall speed are not strengths to his game .. he often appears sluggish and slow but he is a very calculated player who sees the ice and has a firm understanding of his surroundings .. he could benefit from being more assertive on the puck, however his calmness intimidates the opposition and almost soothes his linemates .. he makes razor sharp passes, as his wrists are super quick .. he is able to pry loose pucks out of scrums with resounding accuracy and proficiency .. has posted solid numbers and not looked out of place on Canada's No. 1 ranked junior hockey club.

Evgeny Grachev (NYR), LW, Brampton

He could be the steal of the Import draft as Grachev, (selected 40th overall) in only his second month of the OHL is becoming a dominant force on an already potent Battalion team that has gone 18 games without a regulation loss .. a slick forward with soft hands and a mammoth frame .. is deceivingly fast for a player of his size, especially in a straight line .. he has tremendous agility and can undress a defender with his stickhandling and create a scoring chance down low .. he already boasts one of the better hands in the league and his game has benefited from being on a line with Duchene .. he is strong on the puck and strong shooting the puck .. the defence sags on him and opens up room for linemates as well as himself .. he is defensively conscious, he comes back to support the defence and will not hang on the redline .. he excels at the transition game and is an opportunistic scorer taking advantage of his deceptive speed to go in alone on a goalie .. has all the tools to be a successful NHLer, as he has seen a steady improvement in his game for the past two seasons and is a shoe-in to make the WJC team.