Konstantin Volochko

Volochko is a slightly below average sized right shot defender playing his first season in the MHL. He has very good four way mobility and shows an explosive lateral push when pinching off even man line rushes. At 6’0″ 170lbs he still needs to gain considerable strength to have a chance to play professionally in North America, which is statistically backed up by him winning just 48% of his puck battles this year in the MHL. From a body checking standpoint Volochko is very involved physically as he is on the receiving end of 1.11 hits per game and delivers 1.35 hard body checks per game. We are not going to say he is Niklas Kronwall as an overall player, but he does look to initiate contact and deliver body checks in a very similar manor to the former Detroit Red Wing. Offensively Volochko makes quick decisions and does not waste time looking for the highlight type of play. His passes are flat and hard. Along the offensive blueline he has scanned the ice prior receiving the pass so he is moving laterally before the puck is on his tape. we don not feel he is a threat to beat his man along the blueline, but we do like the puck poise he shows as he draws the opposing forward to him creating open space for his teammates. As he we said he needs to continue gaining strength to play professionally in North America, but this is something he can control. And there are times that Volochko can be too hyper focused on the puck during defensive zone coverage, but we feel this is a thing that can be coached out of his game through consistent video work and detailed practices.