| Vyacheslav Ulyanov | Almaz Cherepovets | MHL | L | RW | 5’9″ | 148 | Cherepovets, RUS | 2006 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B-
Comments: Although only 5’9″,148lbs Ulyanov plays with a lot of passion and helped drive offense for his team tonight. The vision and playmaking ability was impressive. He made quick scans before receiving the puck, allowing him to make crisp, intelligent passes to help create offense for his team. We also liked the number of shot opportunities he was able to successfully attempt throughout the game. He managed to find open space, occupied it, and opened himself up for passes which he ripped on goal. That is exactly how he found the back of the net early in the first to open scoring for his team. He also picked up an assist on the second goal of the game where he was able to slip a pass through a defenseman to his teammate cutting into the slot in transition. There were some major flaws to his game however. He has trouble rushing the puck with any speed or purpose. He is more of a background player and doesn’t drive play on his own. He is able to find space and create chances after receiving a pass, but requires a teammate to do the heavy lifting by retrieving and working the puck to him. There was also a rush that could have gotten him blown up in the neutral zone. He was waiting for a pass from the defensive zone with his head turned all the way back towards the puck and his body continuing to skate forward. If the defenseman wanted to, he could have rocked him with a solid clean hit. He needs to be more aware and smart with his decisions. We liked a lot of aspects of his game, but he has as with most young players he has work to do.
| Lev Volzhenkov | Almaz Cherepovets | MHL | L | C | 6’0″ | 181 | Yekaterinburg, RUS | 2006 | 2024-2025: C |
Game Grade: C+
Comments: The late 2006 Volzhenkov had some great moments throughout the match. Early in the game we noted a beautiful through the legs, no look pass from behind the net that resulted in an easy one time goal to open the scoring. He picked up a secondary assist later in the first, helping to create a goal with good puck movement after stealing the puck in the defensive zone. He made quick, smart decisions with the puck all night, finding open teammates and hitting them on time to continue possession. One in particular was on the breakout where he was coming up ice along the boards. He had tight pressure applied to him and an incoming check from a second forechecker. He was able to remain calm and complete a short slip pass to his center, successfully exiting the zone. He is still developing his explosiveness, speed and puck handling which makes it difficult to beat defenders 1v1 or possess the puck for very long when under pressure. He has full ice vision and passing ability but lacks many of the skills necessary to truly utilize his playmaking prowess. He is young and has plenty of time to improve. He should be a high quality playmaker next season for Almaz during his NHL draft year.
| Daniil Kazulayev | Almaz Cherepovets | MHL | L | C | 6’3″ | 172 | Moscow, RUS | 2005 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: C
Comments: Kazulayev is a 6’4 center that tied his line together tonight. He is super long and lanky but worked hard on both ends to earn possession for his team. He scored the second goal of the night off of a great feed from Ulyanov that sprung him on a 1v0 that he was able to finish on his second shot attempt. He showed off some slick edgework and cutback moves when rushing the puck that created enough space to manipulate the gap into his favor allowing him to make passes or fire a shot at the goal. He was the least notable from this line but was a major contributor to his teammates’ success tonight against AKM.
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