| Timofei Zhulin | Irbis Kazan | MHL | R | C | 5’11” | 168 | Pavlovo, RUS | 2005 | 2023-2024: C+ |
Game Grade: A
Comments: Zhulin (#26) had a fantastic game tonight. He has recently been called up to the VHL and has settled in very quickly. Zhulin is a great two way player who had his feet moving all night to support play on both sides of the puck. His forecheck effort was perfect tonight. He applied harassing pressure along the boards, finished his checks, and did not give up if an opponent beat him on his first attempt. He kept his feet moving and continued to apply pressure until he won the puck. He kept his feet moving in the offensive zone to slip into open space and become a great supporting option for his teammates. Zhulin protects the puck well with agile turns and quick fakes. He keeps his feet moving with the puck on his stick and is able to absorb contact then push right through opponents while maintaining possession. The best part of his game tonight was shown off on the rush. He generates speed incredibly quickly with a couple of crossovers then flies up ice with confidence. Zhulin scored his first ever VHL goal tonight and calling it a beauty would be an understatement. He rushed the full length of the ice, consistently generating more speed with his crossovers. When he approached a defender in the offensive zone, he pulled off a gorgeous deke, faking outside then cutting in and around his opponent. He powered through the pressure applied by both defenders to slip into the slot and buried a shot, glove side high. This was a fantastic goal and a great showing of all of Tim’s best traits in one highlight reel rush. He made multiple rush attempts like this throughout the game and was able to gain the offensive blue line with possession nearly every time. The energy he brings to each shift is contagious and provides a major impact to his team. In one particular example, Timofei rushed the puck up ice, powered through a check at the line and walked in to fire a shot. The shot was deflected and ended up bouncing off the back wall and springing the opponents on a rush the other way. Zhulin never stopped skating, got on his horse, and powered back down ice on a high effort back check that helped shut down play. He showed off an incredible motor tonight and earned every minute he was given. Zhulin’s passing was a bit off in this game. He made the right choices, just missed his target a bit too often. This is only his fifth game at the VHL level and based on the passing ability he showed in the MHL, I have a good feeling he will correct this very quickly. Zhulin is one of the most underrated Russian forwards in this year’s draft class. I think he deserves 2nd or 3rd round consideration and has a middle six NHL upside. He is a guy that will provide energy and offensive ability every time he hops over the boards. He can be trusted on the power play and penalty kill as we have seen all year at the MHL level. Zhulin has stepped up at the VHL level and continues to impress me each time I watch him. Definitely a guy worth a deep look for a mid round steal in the 2024 draft.
Scout: Henry Lawrence