The Lethbridge Hurricanes announced the signing of 2014 Import Draft pick Pavel Skumatov to the Western Hockey League’s Standard Player Agreement.
The Hurricanes drafted the 6’0, 165 pound left winger in the second round (63rd overall) on July 2nd. Skumatov was one of the youngest players on his team where he played in the MHL (U20 Vityazi Chekhov), he had a pair of assists in 26 games. Prior to the CHL Import Draft, scouts were liking his size, speed, skating ability, decision making, hockey sense and his reliability as well as his compete level.
Over the first couple of days at the Hurricanes training camp, Skumatov has already made an impression on the coaches and scouting staff. “He’s come into camp in great shape and ready to jump right in to our team. He’s very skilled and it’s evident in his skating and puck handling skills” commented General Manager Brad Robson.
Awesome to have 2 skilled Euros in camp, can change the complexion of a team. Go Canes.
ReplyDeleteThis is all good and nice, but........the more I see Bellerive play it is so obvious of the skill and talent this player has, that it becomes absolutely a must that they sign him. He has all the signs of being a franchise player, the likes of which we have not seen in several years.
ReplyDeleteRJS
Agree. The first two picks of this year’s draft look to be the best I have seen in years. Long Run
DeleteRJS, you're absolutely right that it is a "must" but it is all in the hands of Bellerive... hopefully he recognizes that the club and the league is the best path to the NHL.
ReplyDeleteHow have the other 1999's looked??
We all remember what Portland did to improve their team a few years ago . It resulted in a very good team for a while but caused the coach/ gm to be suspended for a year and a loss of first round draft picks for several years. This will hurt them for a while .
ReplyDeleteThe league must guard against this happening again . I suspect there are agents trying to convince their clients not to sign with certain teams or leave teams and they will get them on teams that will give them certain perks etc. etc.
. If it happened once it can happen again .That is why the league should look very closely into this.
ANON....20:44,
ReplyDeleteI will not admit to being a person who can pick out talent during a training camp. But of those who played today, D-Nick Watson, Connor Rokosh, Connor Deighton, Ethan King, and fwds Zane Franklin, Jaeger White and of course Jordan Bellerive all caught my eye.
Sitting in the lower section of N, I could not help but notice the big smile on the face of GM Brad Robson when Bellerive scored his high lite reel goal. What's that expression? He put the puck up where Mom keeps the cookies"? Well something like that. Well BR better snap back to reality, Bellerive is not signed.
Hope this helps a bit.
RJS