Interesting barbell approach between the academic inclination of the flame's two first round picks
One is from Indian-Korean Heritage. Dad is a dentist.
Education is usually a high priority no matter what you path you're pursuing in life. One is born into that family in Canada. English is a first language.
The other is a Russian teenager who moved across the world to pursue his dream of playing in the NHL. Essentially, he left his family behind and is a teenage immigrant. English is his second language. I'm not sure of his upbringing or support he had in his family or the drive/support for education.
Completely different contexts.
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I dunno if I would have been able to go to Russia at 16 and become fluent enough in the language to thrive in a local high school by graduation to be fair. The kid has shown a ton of drive and focus on becoming a north america pro player by coming over as young as he has. Just wish it wasn't the Q
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I’m not sure if your just pointing this out or if there is some sarcasm here but if this was me (I hated school and was solely focused on sport) then combine that with coming over from Russia and English being a “2nd” language and being expected to jump into a university setting at the age of 18 when again all I want to do is play hockey! This is a no brainer for me if I put myself in his shoes.
Well it points that he didn't have an option.
I read that as he can't go back to school because of his academic performance.
PS: I hated school too that's why I joined the army after grade 12
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Captain James P. DeCOSTE, CD, 18 Sep 1993
Checks notes 4 of last 5 Mem cups have gone to the Q. WHL hasn't won a Mem cup since 2014.
I get it the Q is seen as softer than the other CHL leagues but but plenty of great players have developed just fine there.
Especially if he is traded to Rimouski who are hosting.
Can't wait to see him play this winter if he does end up in the Q.
Definitely some great teams coming out of the league but top to bottom it has always seemed like there's a little less focus on defensive hockey and physicality than the other leagues and for a high end offensive talent who already seems to have scoring in spades you'd maybe like to see him in an NCAA or pro program instead or a more gritty league where he learns to play in traffic/gets challenged physically a little more night in and night out and rounds out his game. The draft critique was around him being too perimeter.
Fear is he's given a long leash as long as he scores. But purely subjective... maybe he has a great coach in the Q and that's completely unfounded and I fully expect his offensive numbers to be gaudy this year. And maybe it's also a safer spot for an 18 year old to try playing in traffic and adding that element to his game vs. the NCAA against 22 and 23 year olds
So because he wasn’t drafted out of the CHL, could the Flames theoretically send him to the AHL at any time? Not that they would, I am just want to clarify the rules.
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"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
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I read that as he can't go back to school because of his academic performance.
PS: I hated school too that's why I joined the army after grade 12
n/m unsure of the propriety of the gif. Don't want to offend anyone. It does raise a question about boundaries and humour but I guess this ... discussion board is not the place to have that discussion.
That is a terrific and very glowing description of Matvei by his Calgary roots USHL coach. Well worth reading.
His hockey IQ is clearly special. Seeing the ice, 2-3 moves ahead. Both playmaker and shooter.
The part about him rehabing quickly rather than returning to Russia to get back for one last weekend of a hockey season even when games were meaningless says spades about his character and team first mentality.
The fact that is he is a key penalty killer speaks to defensive aspects of his game and trust his coaches have in him.
Finally, "He’s a hockey nut. He wants to be in a place where people care about hockey and support the team. And I know he said this at the draft — I don’t think there was a better fit from an organizational standpoint.” Will enjoy extra scrutiny within a Canadian market.
Should be an interesting season for him in the Q.
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Okay . Lots of room for growth but this kids situational awareness ia off the charts .
He doesnt play like a guy who isnt aware he has teammates....but he wants the puck and can create organic offense out of nothing because he is PATIENT.
He understands time and space and pace . Slow it down ...wait for support on a line change, hold the puck deep because i see 3 guys on the oppsing team not coming to me and i can let my teamamtes make a change and guess what i have the puck still....oh look i have 3 fresh linemates now apeeding to the net ....who di i pass too? Score!!!!
This kid has vision and focus whixh will help him drive any line , his coaches dont have as much to teach because he makes it easy....for everyone !!
I liloved watching the videos....it showed allot. Man we live in a great time....not even having to be there in person showed me this kid as CBL would say is going to be a beast.
A baby beast to start but once he grows into those skates and lesrns to skate with both legs.....lol....i could never come up with CBL material but yeah ....beast in the making
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