Rafikov may come to the CHL next year

[sureLoss]

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?...id=rss-vickers

Rafikov, who was also drafted in the third round, 71st overall into the Kontinental Hockey League by Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in 2012, is hoping to take a North American approach to chasing his NHL dream.

It will start by attending the Flames’ development camp next summer.

It extends to potentially playing in the Canadian Hockey League next fall, he said.

“I had a talk in my first game (of the Subway Super Series) with (Flames scouting director) Todd Woodcroft and they expect me next season and have invited me to the camp,” said Rafikov, the 22nd Russian ever drafted by the Flames. “I’m very happy and would be happy to come over to play junior.”

Admittedly, it would be a step up from Loko Yaroslavl, his current MHL team.

Rafikov noted that, based on the level of competition in the Super Series, it would be the next step for his development, too.

“The level here is slightly higher than the MHL from my standpoint,” he said. “I’m pretty tired over the last games. Canadian players are more physical and quite skilled which is a little bit different from the same level in Russia.”

Look forward to seeing him this summer at development camp

[Locke]

Someone has to photoshop him wearing the hat.

[undercoverbrother]

Serious question.

Are they any Russians involved in out alumni?

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?...id=rss-vickers

Look forward to seeing him this summer at development camp

does this mean Tod Button has been fired?

[JonDuke]

Originally Posted by Locke

Someone has to photoshop him wearing the hat

Comme ca?



Or this?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

does this mean Tod Button has been fired?

It looks like Scouting Director is a different position from Director of Amateur Scouting: http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=679765

“John Weisbrod and I have been discussing for some time now a way to bridge our European and North American scouting operations, and we are confident Todd Woodcroft is the perfect person to help us build that bridge by increasing our cross-over coverage in Europe and North America, while also being available to us for special assignment work,” said Feaster. “Todd’s extensive experience in Europe, and particularly Russia, will be invaluable for us as we continue to place even greater emphasis on drafting and developing our own players.”

Hard to tell where they fall on the hierarchy. It sounds like this role falls somewhere in between Amateur and Pro scouting. Once players are drafted, Button doesn't care about them any more.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Serious question.

Are they any Russians involved in out alumni?

Igor Kravchuk I think. Conroy contacted him doing research on Nichushkin and he apparently suggested Rafikov to them.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by getbak

Apparently, Scouting Director is a different position from Director of Amateur Scouting: http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=679765

interesting, first I have heard of this Woodcroft fellow

[Travis Munroe]

Have to like the kids attitude vs what we often see from Russian players

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

Have to like the kids attitude vs what we often see from Russian players

I was a little apprehensive when we first drafted him. He mentioned that he was surprised that he was drafted and it didn't sound like the NHL was his long term plan at the time. Now it sounds like he is all in and has even improved his English quite a bit.

It will be nice to see what he can do.

[Fire]

I had doubts he ever cared about playing in the NHL. Good to see that he wants to come over.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Fire

I had doubts he ever cared about playing in the NHL. Good to see that he wants to come over.

yeah so did I when he was drafted his comments seemed to have an air of "I don't give a fata"

[J epworth]

Do you know if any CHL teams have his rights? If none do, does he get to play for whoever wants him?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by J epworth kendal

Do you know if any CHL teams have his rights? If none do, does he get to play for whoever wants him?

If so, put him with the Hitmen, he can be around the big boys.

[J epworth]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

If so, put him with the Hitmen, he can be around the big boys.

Ya that's kind of where I was going with my question, if the Flames can do it, would probably be best if he could play with the Hitmen.

[sureLoss]

As far as I can tell no one in the CHL holds his rights, however there is an import draft in June where a team might pick him up.

[Drury18]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

If so, put him with the Hitmen, he can be around the big boys.

The Hitmen will not have an open import roster space for him. They currently have Padakin and Fazeleev and I don't see either being moved.

I believe Eetu Selanne may also take up an import spot on the Hitmen roster if he joins them for the next season and will probably have priority.

[J epworth]

Originally Posted by Drury18

The Hitmen will not have an open import roster space for him. They currently have Padakin and Fazeleev and I don't see either being moved.

I believe Eetu Selanne may also take up an import spot on the Hitmen roster if he joins them for the next season and will probably have priority.

Would Selanne be an import? He's dual citizen, USA and Finland, born in California, so he should be a regular player for WHL.

Anyways, snooping around the rules for the WHL I found you need to be drafted through the import draft to play in the WHL, so it would be whoever picks him first then I guess.

16. How many Europeans can play in the WHL?
Each WHL team is allowed up to a maximum of two non-North American players. These import players must be drafted through the Canadian Hockey League Import draft held during the summer in order to play in the WHL.

[getbak]

It looks like he has not been chosen in a previous CHL Import Draft: http://www.chl.ca/draft/chl

If he plans to play in the CHL, he would have to sign a player agreement, then be drafted.

If you're looking for a comparable, he's basically in the same situation that Dmitry Sinitsyn was in last year. He was drafted by Dallas in the seventh round in 2012, and played last season in the NCAA. He was picked 16th by Regina in last year's import draft and has been playing with the Pats this season.

[dammage79]

As he is only 18 at this point he can have two more years of development in the CHL right? And has another shot at the WJC next as well if his birthdate does not conflict.