Miroshnichenko could have been playing right now. Like Michkov.
Instead he's sitting on his butt, wondering how much development time he will lose in the USHL.
For the longest time Russians have been screaming for their boys to stay and develop at home when they’re young in the Russian system.
I am more and more pursuaded by that argument, especially for forwards. They’re better off staying in Russia. It’s a massive culture shock coming from Russia to Canada or the USA. Even if the Russian boys are embraced by the hockey world and we open the doors to them and their families into our homes to these boys coming over.
However, for some reason I think it’s a good choice to come to Canada and Western Canada in particular for young Russian D men. The WHL is a D man factory for developing good, big, tough, and well rounded D men the NHL covets.
As for Michkov, thanks to the Russian guys keeping us updated. What a fantastic talent, him and Bedard should be competing for #1 in 2023. Love watching this Michkov kid play.