Skilled Russian winger Ivan Miloshnicenko

Ivan Miroshnichenko is a high-risk, high-paying outlook that could be elected in the 2022 NHL Draft and needs to add goal scoring potential and offensive benefits to Washington Capitals.

The Capitals ranked Miroschnicenko in 20th place overall in the first round of the draft on Thursday.

Part of the risk in drafting Miloshnicenko is that he is Russian and war, in addition to the relatively lack of recent reconnaissance due to his year being interrupted by health fears. Due to the fact that it comes from a country that is active in.

As Sam Cosentino of Sportsnet stated in his final mock draft, “Another factor the team must consider is the seriousness of the conflict in Ukraine. To Danila Yurov, Ivan Miroshnichenko and Pavel Mintyukov There are three solid first round Russian-born players. Since the first two played in Russia this year, the second half of these players’ viewing was limited to country-based scouts. … In addition, a recently reported incident involving Philadelphia goalkeeper Ivan Miroshnich could also affect how the team works on drawing Russian-born players. ”

Miloshnicenko was previously unable to attend the USHL Muskellunge Lumber Jacks in 2020 due to visa acquisition issues.

Teams that are willing to take risks forward can be rewarded with a seasoned right-shot winger who loves to snap homepacks from the left and slots.

He’s still not a 6’1 giant, and £ 185 already has room for growth in the NHL size and is predicted to be the top 6 in the type of skill set that tends to benefit power play units. increase.

Miloshnicenko produced at a better pace than points per game when competing with his own age group. He may not be able to plan for future Selke candidates, but he is also defensively responsible.

While at Vityaz Podolsk, he was excellent at dividing his two years into three different levels. He registered 36 goals, 17 assists and 71 PIMs in 25 games during the U16 season, then scored 7 assists and 16 PIMs in 16 games of the U17 group and added 10 goals, 4 assists and 29 PIMs in 8 games. did. U18 team.

One of the trends that can be seen from these numbers is that his goal is far above the total assists. Miloshnicenko is a finisher, ranked 11th among European skaters in the final draft rankings of Central Scouting, dropping from mid-season to 9th.

Cancer in remission

The NHL team was informed by the Russian Hockey League in March that Miloshnicenko was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and would end the 2021-22 campaign with Russia’s Supreme Hockey League Omsky Krilia early. I did.

It is the same illness that was diagnosed in 1993 before Mario Lemieux fully recovered and returned to the NHL.

Miloshnicenko traveled to Germany, where he was treated and eventually the cancer was completely in remission. Miroschnicenko, who needs time to fully recover from chemotherapy, is allowed to resume training in June and hopes to be ready for the 2022-23 season. increase. His contractual rights are owned by KHL’s Avangard Omsk.

International success

Some of Miloshnicenko’s best hockey was played while representing his country.

He led Russia to the gold medal at the 2020 Youth Olympic Games, winning six goals, six assists and tournaments. He got the highest plus 13 rating in just four games. Some of his highlights from that tournament can be seen in the video below.

He scored six goals in seven games on his way to the silver medal at the 2021 U18 World Championship the following year.

According to Nick Richard of Dobber Prospects, “a very talented and aggressive weapon that can influence the game with his shot and pass abilities.” “We need to be more consistent with his level of competition, but we have the raw skills to become an NHL star.”

The scout continued to saliva over the ceiling of Miloshnicenko during his outstanding performance as a Russian captain at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer.

He finished the tournament with 4 goals and 5 assists and was able to get out of the penalty box in 5 games.

“In terms of pure talent, he deserves the top 10 in this draft class,” Cosentino said of Miloshnicenko, “shot and skating abilities have already been well translated and not so much with the rest of the match. It’s not far, “he added.

Cosentino also said that Miloshnicenko “could be a home run” in this year’s draft election. Looking back at Cosentino’s first draft ranking in the 2022 class in October, Miroschnicenko was third overall.

As he returned to full force and resumed the trajectory he was in during this stretch of his junior career, he would have a positive impact on what the NHL franchise calls his seven-syllable name. increase.