Duluth Denfeld Adds Russian Trio

[sinbin006]

http://www.howiehanson.com/?p=11860

UP NORTH HOCKEY BREAKING NEWS
Copyright 2009, Up North Hockey

Soviet Union U17 hockey stars G Boris Novichenkov and C Evgeny Kuznetsov — both sure-bet 2012 Russian Olympians, according to the Russian Olympic Development Hockey Federation (RODHF) — will attend Denfeld as foreign exchange students in the fall, Up North Hockey has learned.

And a third top Soviet prospect, 6-3, 176-pound D Kirill Kabanov (who led the Russian Olympic Development League in penalty minutes, 812 in 63 games, in 2008-09), will also join his current Team Russia teammates at Denfeld, once the final paperwork is notarized by his West Duluth host family and received by the RODHF — simply a final formality in the foreign exchange process between the United States and the Soviet Union, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Kabanov and Kuznetsov are considered Russia’s top two 92-born players.

All three players were named to the six-player all-tournament team for champion Team Russia in the recent 2009 U17 Winter European Youth Olympic Festival in Poland.

“Boris Novichenkov likely will be the Soviet’s starting goalie in the next Olympics, and Kabanov and Kuznetsov are elite, very elite young Russian prospects,” said Guy Meeker, head of Canadien Central Scouting. “My guess is they chose Minnesota schoolboy hockey over major juniors to give the kids sort of a break before they’re asked to ramp it up before the Olympics. I saw all three play in the European Olympic Festival, and any of the three could have been the tourney MVP. They were sort of like men among boys. Whatever barns they play in down there (Duluth area) will be packed every night with pro and college scouts, for sure.”

All three players will live with families residing in the Parkwood addition of Duluth, near Morris Thomas Road and Haines Road. Two players will live with one family. Novichenkov and Kuznetsov are scheduled to arrive in Duluth on May 4, and Kabanov about two weeks later after participating in a National Hockey League development camp in Toronto.

Both host families confirmed the information in this story and asked not be identified until the start of the 2009-10 school year. Novichenkov — a world-class soccer forward who has competed in several elite international tournaments — will also play soccer at Denfeld in the fall, a member of his host family said.

All three players are already signed up to play in the Minnesota fall high school elite league.

The RODHF, in a press release, said it chose to expose the elite players to North American hockey through the high-skilled and high-profile Minnesota high school program, which it said would aide in the players’ development both as players and students. The search led to the Duluth area, “by the big lake,” and eventually to Denfeld which, according to the press release, is “The Home of the Hunters. Kabanov and Kuznetsov love to hunt and fish. Hopefully they have wild buffalo and big carp.”

Oscar Hedlund, a foreign exchange student from Sweden, skated a regular shift for the Hunters in 2008-09.

The addition of the Russian players makes Denfeld a legitimate contender in Section 5A. The Hunters will graduate goaltender Matt Messina and scoring leader Cody Hotchkin, so goaltending and scoring are major concerns heading into next season. Minnesota high school coaches are not allowed to comment on foreign exchange students prior to the start of the school year.

[shakey]

I just read the article. These guys come with impressive resumes. Three kids are going to get bumped not only from the Denfeld varsity but from the NE Elite team. The article states that all three players are set to play in the Elite league this summer. Hey Russo, what's all this noise about keeping Minnesota players at home?!

[MrBoDangles]

Section 5A has a winner already There will be a big uproar from the other teams.

[DubCHAGuy]

http://www.howiehanson.com/?p=11860

UP NORTH HOCKEY BREAKING NEWS
Copyright 2009, Up North Hockey

Soviet Union U17 hockey stars G Boris Novichenkov and C Evgeny Kuznetsov — both sure-bet 2012 Russian Olympians, according to the Russian Olympic Development Hockey Federation (RODHF) — will attend Denfeld as foreign exchange students in the fall, Up North Hockey has learned.

And a third top Soviet prospect, 6-3, 176-pound D Kirill Kabanov (who led the Russian Olympic Development League in penalty minutes, 812 in 63 games, in 2008-09), will also join his current Team Russia teammates at Denfeld, once the final paperwork is notarized by his West Duluth host family and received by the RODHF — simply a final formality in the foreign exchange process between the United States and the Soviet Union, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Kabanov and Kuznetsov are considered Russia’s top two 92-born players.

All three players were named to the six-player all-tournament team for champion Team Russia in the recent 2009 U17 Winter European Youth Olympic Festival in Poland.

“Boris Novichenkov likely will be the Soviet’s starting goalie in the next Olympics, and Kabanov and Kuznetsov are elite, very elite young Russian prospects,” said Guy Meeker, head of Canadien Central Scouting. “My guess is they chose Minnesota schoolboy hockey over major juniors to give the kids sort of a break before they’re asked to ramp it up before the Olympics. I saw all three play in the European Olympic Festival, and any of the three could have been the tourney MVP. They were sort of like men among boys. Whatever barns they play in down there (Duluth area) will be packed every night with pro and college scouts, for sure.”

All three players will live with families residing in the Parkwood addition of Duluth, near Morris Thomas Road and Haines Road. Two players will live with one family. Novichenkov and Kuznetsov are scheduled to arrive in Duluth on May 4, and Kabanov about two weeks later after participating in a National Hockey League development camp in Toronto.

Both host families confirmed the information in this story and asked not be identified until the start of the 2009-10 school year. Novichenkov — a world-class soccer forward who has competed in several elite international tournaments — will also play soccer at Denfeld in the fall, a member of his host family said.

All three players are already signed up to play in the Minnesota fall high school elite league.

The RODHF, in a press release, said it chose to expose the elite players to North American hockey through the high-skilled and high-profile Minnesota high school program, which it said would aide in the players’ development both as players and students. The search led to the Duluth area, “by the big lake,” and eventually to Denfeld which, according to the press release, is “The Home of the Hunters. Kabanov and Kuznetsov love to hunt and fish. Hopefully they have wild buffalo and big carp.”

Oscar Hedlund, a foreign exchange student from Sweden, skated a regular shift for the Hunters in 2008-09.

The addition of the Russian players makes Denfeld a legitimate contender in Section 5A. The Hunters will graduate goaltender Matt Messina and scoring leader Cody Hotchkin, so goaltending and scoring are major concerns heading into next season. Minnesota high school coaches are not allowed to comment on foreign exchange students prior to the start of the school year.

There are no winter olympics in 2012. Interesting anyways though. What brought them to Duluth?

[karl(east)]

This is...interesting.

In the past I have supported foreign exchange students playing hockey in MN, so I guess I will stick to my principles here and say that I'm fine with it.

This is also somewhat strange because I heard a rumor, through a somewhat dubious source, that a bunch of very talented Russians were coming to East this past year. I just dismissed it as silliness. Apparently, this person was saying things based on fact...just with the wrong school and the wrong year.

Not quite sure what to make of this yet.

[theblandyman]

Well, this doesn't help any team in 5A that's for sure.

However, if this does end up being true, this team will be a very fun one to watch!

[MrBoDangles]

This is...interesting.

In the past I have supported foreign exchange students playing hockey in MN, so I guess I will stick to my principles here and say that I'm fine with it.

This is also somewhat strange because I heard a rumor, through a somewhat dubious source, that a bunch of very talented Russians were coming to East this past year. I just dismissed it as silliness. Apparently, this person was saying things based on fact...just with the wrong school and the wrong year.

Not quite sure what to make of this yet.

I hear you about the occasional foreign exchange students.
The three best senior aged kids from Russia seems extreme.

[LakeEffect]

Hmmm interesting. I wonder if this will keep Denfeld's top player(s) from leaving and possibly even get a few kids to move into west Duluth?! Sounds like section 5A has a new favorite for 09-10.

[hshckfan08]

Ha wow, the top 2 Russian 92's and a 6'3 Russian Defender who leads in penalty minutes would have me pissing my pants if i was a hermantown player.

[MrBoDangles]

Ha wow, the top 2 Russian 92's and a 6'3 Russian Defender who leads in penalty minutes would have me pissing my pants if i was a hermantown player.

[Lord Stanley]

I wonder why they are repeatedly called Soviets? Don't they know that communism has ended?

[MrBoDangles]

I wonder why they are repeatedly called Soviets? Don't they know that communism has ended?

I get it! A week long joke with a April fools ending- GOOD ONE!

[east hockey]

I wonder why they are repeatedly called Soviets? Don't they know that communism has ended?

I get it! A week long joke with a April fools ending- GOOD ONE!

Well, the 812 penalty minutes in 63 games was a bit of a tip.

This might be the best piece Howie has wrote. Not that this is saying much....

Lee

[karl(east)]

I wonder why they are repeatedly called Soviets? Don't they know that communism has ended?

I get it! A week long joke with a April fools ending- GOOD ONE!

Well, the 812 penalty minutes in 63 games was a bit of a tip.

This might be the best piece Howie has wrote. Not that this is saying much....

Lee

Sad thing is, it's true...

[sinbin006]

[juniorhockey]

Good entertainment!

Russia doesn`t encourage players to leave for the NHL let alone the Minnesota High School league. Might have been more believable if you had picked another country.

Got a good response though!

[deacon]

Imagine what people would be saying if STA or Breck were getting Russian foreign exchange students.....hahaha

[ACTUALFORMERPLAYER]

Imagine what people would be saying if STA or Breck were getting Russian foreign exchange students.....hahaha

They aren't?

[DotaDangler]

Imagine what people would be saying if STA or Breck were getting Russian foreign exchange students.....hahaha

They aren't?

No they only recruit in Canada.

[jigs78]

http://www.thestar.com/sports/article/554295

ya know im sorry. anybody being compared to ovechkin at this point in his life.. getting paid to play hockey in russia. im sure he isnt stupid enough to come to minnesota and go to Denfeld?? If you read the article.. he could pay by himself to live around edina and actually go to a school that meant something in the state of hockey..

[observer]

And they'd have to play JV for a season like the top rated cross country runner this last fall.

[ref101]

And they'd have to play JV for a season like the top rated cross country runner this last fall.

some info....
FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS — Approved Foreign Exchange Students are limited to 1 calendar year of high school eligibility beginning with their 1st date of enrollment and attendance.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS – students not participating in a CSIET approved foreign exchange program are eligible only at the B-squad or JV level for one calendar year.

[buddish4mrhockey]

why would they go to denfeld? Why not a powerhouse like Edina jeff tonka Bsm or aha

[Goldy Gopher]

why would they go to denfeld? Why not a powerhouse like Edina jeff tonka Bsm or aha

For the same reason that the US has a foreign exchange policy with a country that hasn't been around since the early 90's.

[Elvis]

This is just another attempt by the Soviets to spread Communism to the US, but instead of missiles in Cuba, they're planting hockey players in Duluth. I guess they didn't take into account that Minnesota is a Communist State already.