Red Wings first-round pick Svechnikov talks about his whirlwind introduction to Hockeytown
By Nick Barnowski –
TRAVERSE CITY – Life has been anything but calm for Evgeny Svechnikov the last two weeks.
The 18-year-old was drafted 19th overall by the Red Wings at last month’s NHL Draft in Florida. He got his first taste of life in Hockeytown last Thursday, touring Joe Louis Arena and taking in a Tigers baseball game. By Friday, he was getting settled in on the shores of Lake Michigan in Traverse City.
Oh, and Pavel Datsyuk – a legend, Svechnikov said – congratulated him on Twitter after being drafted.
Now, the Russian is getting the chance to show his skills at this week’s development camp at Centre Ice Arena.
“It’s been a busy summer,” Svechnikov said following Sunday’s practice. “Just the experience, it’s pretty exciting.”
He’s not the only one who’s excited. Jiri Fischer, Detroit’s director of player development, spoke highly of Svechnikov’s play following the camp’s third on-ice session.
“We’re all getting our first hands-on experience, getting to know him,” Fischer said. “He has great awareness and has one of the softest pair of hands in our training camp.”
With only a few days to make an impression, Svechnikov has already turned heads. Todd Nelson, new head coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins, told MLive.com Saturday that Svechnikov stood out and has “a good skill set.”
Fischer was impressed with Svechnikov’s play in the offensive zone in both Saturday’s scrimmage and the drills.
“He has high-end skill, high-end puck possession,” Fischer said. “He knows where his linemates are even though he’s never played with them before. He can withstand the pressure of the opposition, keep the puck in and still try to make a play.”
Entering only his second season of play in North America, Svechnikov said he feels comfortable due to his experience with the KHL’s Ak Bars and play in international tournaments.
Svechnikov has played with the Russian U17, U18 and U19 teams and spent time with Ak Bars, playing in three KHL games when he was 16-years-old.
“I was young and didn’t have much of a chance to play there,” he said. “It’s such a tough time, kind of like the NHL.”
Svechnikov moved to Canada to play for the QMJHL’s Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, where he excelled, scoring 78 points in 55 games. He had 1.42 points per game, which ranked 10th among all QMJHL players.
“It was a tough decision,” Svechnikov said of moving, “but my parents and me wanted to play in Canada to help my dream of playing in the NHL.”
Fischer expects Svechnikov to play even better now that he’s had a full North American season under his belt. The former Red Wings defenseman said Svechnikov’s body (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) is “mature,” but has room to grow.
“He really needs to strengthen pound-for-pound and be able to battle against the NHLers,” Fischer said.
He’ll head back to Cape Breton following Detroit’s training camp in September, but he’s focused on taking his game to the next level in the meantime.
“Everybody right now is on the same level,” he said. “So you have to keep improving and get better and better.”
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