[News] With the #187 overall pick the Flames select D RUSHAN RAFIKOV

[Pointman]

Originally Posted by girlysports

what's calgary in russian?

Калгари

But questions only show up after being responded. He didn't respond yet (no surprise, it is early sunday morning here)

[nik-]

man, his twitter pic makes him look like a dbag

[trackercowe]

Strange dude. Does he even know he's been drafted into the NHL today?

Russia U18 NT @ RussiaU18NT 15 May
Today, celebrate birthdays Rushan Rafikov @ raf8795 and Valentin Zykov! We wish them a good summer and the great teams in the NBA Draft!)
Retweeted by Rushan Rafikov
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Did the Raptors draft him as well?

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by nik-

man, his twitter pic makes him look like a dbag

Yeah, he's Russian.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Yeah, he's Russian.

I bet his jeans have so many holes ripped in them, and the shirt he took off to take that picture is mesh ... and white.

[trackercowe]

Well out last great NHL level prospect was also a giant dbag who dressed like that; here's hoping history repeats itself.

[Pointman]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Yeah, he's Russian.

He's tatarian actually.

[Pointman]

Finally his twitter is getting filled with congrats from his russian friends and also from @oldschoolgoalie. He seems to be happy and replied to @oldschoolgoalie, that he's also looking forward to coming to Calgary.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Pointman

He's tatarian actually.

Appreciate the info, but you'll have to excuse us for not knowing. There are a LOT of ethnicities that are encompassed in Russia and the former Soviet republics. Every write up has Russia listed as his nationality. But thanks all the same.

Anyway, the kid looks like a solid late round pick. A big frame and he already plays with a physical edge. He skates pretty well and is a good stay at home defender. He's a few years away, but that's ok for a late pick. I like that Kravchuk thinks he's a worthwhile player. I always liked Kravchuk.

[sureLoss]

Pointman do you know if he has a KHL contract? Some people say he does, read a report that say he doesn't.

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by Pointman

He's tatarian actually.

Is he Muslim?

[Pointman]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Pointman do you know if he has a KHL contract? Some people say he does, read a report that say he doesn't.

In this interview (in russian) Rafikov says:

"I'm happy to be drafted, but I am committed to Lokomotiv as I have two-years contract with them. I didn't know if I will get drafted or not, so I went to sleep after watching first round. I got up in the morning and saw Calgary Flames twitter following me, so I got it that they drafted me. My english sucks, but I'm going to hire a teacher and learn it. If my career won't pan out in Russia, I will come over there and try to prove myself. I hope, I will change their opinion about Russian players. From former Flames I know Kravchuk, Bortschevsky, Val Bure, Anton Babchuk and Jarome Iginla".

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

Is he Muslim?

Yes, he is muslim. He said it himself on his http://sprashivai.ru/Raf81 page.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Pointman

"If my career won't pan out in Russia, I will come over there and try to prove myself."

If those are actually his priorities at the moments, we'll never see a glimpse of him.

If he doesn't make it in the KHL, he's not going to make it in the NHL.

[Da_Chief]

I honestly don't think he even knows what he truly meant with that line or the whole paragraph to be honest.

He wants to learn english but stay in Russia etc. He's a longshot to make it right now, lets just leave him over there for couple of years and see how develops before throwing on the Russian - not coming over tag.

[dammage79]

We don't even get him at any of the summer camps either do we?

In any case I am sure he will come over to try it out. Wasn't Traktor Ramo's team?

[Enoch Root]

He played on Russia's U-18 team right?

As a 95'er he has 2 cracks at the WJ team. It would be nice to see him make it next year so we can get a look at his game

[FlamesAddiction]

Of course there is a chance this kid isn't 100% interested in the NHL, hence why he was still available in the 7th round and wasn't taken in the 2nd or 3rd round.

It's up to the Flames to convince him to give it a shot now.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Of course there is a chance this kid isn't 100% interested in the NHL, hence why he was still available in the 7th round and wasn't taken in the 2nd or 3rd round.

It's up to the Flames to convince him to give it a shot now.

Maybe because everybody knows he is under contract with KHL team. I like this gamble by the Flames. Not a lot of players very late makes it to the NHL. If he makes it..... pretty awesome for the Flames if not, big deal. Maybe he will turn out to be one of those late picks who had success with the NHL namely Theo Fleury, Pavel Datschuk, Steve Larmer, Lucky Luc Robitaille and others.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Pointman

He's tatarian actually.

I think it's just Tatar ... not Tatarian.

[sureLoss]

As a KHL player, the Flames hold his NHL rights until he is 27 years old. Plenty of time to try and convince him to come over if they ever decide to try him out.