The work of Vsevolod Komarov rewarded by the Sabres
By Mikael Lalancette
The 2023 Memorial Cup tournament hasn't even started yet, in Kamloops, that Vsevolod Komarov is already all smiles. Thursday morning, the defender of the Remparts was granted an Entry level contract by the Buffalo Sabres, news that comes at the right time 24 hours before the start of the competition.
It was Komarov's agent who told him the good news by Zoom, a call his parents were on from Russia. "They're really proud of me, he said with a smile. Very happy too!"
The announcement of Komarov's signing spread like wildfire Thursday morning around the Quebec Remparts' locker room at the Sandman Center in Kamloops. His Remparts teammates greeted the official announcement with cries of joy, a reaction that pleased the new Buffalo Sabres.
"I'm really happy and excited, it's every player's dream, but now it's time to focus on the tournament," reacted the Russian defenseman, always humble when it comes to talking about his success.
Roy predicted it
His head coach Patrick Roy, who has seen him progress at high speed in recent months, is not surprised. He had to work hard behind the scenes to convince professional scouts to take an interest in the right-handed defenseman.
“Last year, I was trying to sell him to everyone", Roy recalled.
“I don't know why, but it was hard to sell him. Today, Buffalo is so happy with him, their scouts love his progress. His ceiling is so high, he doesn't have beard yet, he will still get bigger and stronger physically. That's quite a pick from the Sabres!"
The Remparts head coach, who has learned a few words of Russian over the years, has been able to build a "bridge" between the club and the Sabres' 2022 5th round pick, whose english has improved a lot in the last months.
“When I aske him if he understood and he says no, we start over,” explains Roy. These few words of Russian allowed an easier approach. "The good things that happen to him are all thanks to him, he gets on the ice, he plays big minutes, he worked hard with [the coach responsible for defensemen] Benoit Desrosiers. They connected really well together."
Work, the key
Komarov's recipe is very simple. It's not what he eats or what he drinks that has allowed him to rise as one of the best defenders in the QMJHL, but rather the work. He admits that he would never have thought of living all of this when he left Chelyabinsk two years ago.
“It was a big step for me to come and play here in Canada, he recalled, still excited with the emotions he had just experienced. It wasn't easy, leaving my family, but now that it's behind me, I'm so happy with what happens to me."
A difficult context
The “commitment” of the 19-year-old young man was exemplary, believes Patrick Roy. All this in the very difficult context of the armed conflict that is tearing Ukraine and Russia apart, a war that continues to claim victims.
“The conditions are not necessarily easy at the moment, but he has adapted well. He fits in amazingly with the group, he hangs out with the same group of players, and you see how much the guys love and appreciate him", says Patrick Roy.
Not finished yet
His admirers are numerous pm Quebec's team. Turning his back on the media after his interview, the Russian was quickly embraced by his coach, who congratulated him for everything he had accomplished so far.
Patrick Roy knows very well that he will need a Komarov in great shape, Friday night, in the opener of the tournament against the host team of the Memorial Cup, the Kamloops Blazers.
If the Buffalo Sabers prospect keeps the same confidence as the last few months on Friday, Monday and Tuesday nights, Quebec could be in a good position for the final round of the tournament…
