Pavel Grishin has just turned 17, is already 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs almost 200 pounds. Most of all, the Phoenix made him the 53rd pick in the first round to add speed and offense to his lineup.
A member of the CSKA Moskva under-18 team, Pavel Grishin was at the top of the list of Jocelyn Thibault and his team of recruiters.
“We needed to improve our defense and according to the needs that our club had, it was our first choice. It is imposing, it can play robustly. But we are no longer in 1992. We are not only selecting a defender because he is tall and fat. Above all, he is a good fast defender capable of playing on a power play, ”says Jocelyn Thibault, who was managing his latest dossier as general manager of the team before handing over to his head coach, Stéphane Julien.
The task of evaluating players has proven difficult this season due to the cancellation of the various international championships and of COVID-19.
This means that the various formations of the Canadian Hockey League could not gather all the data hoped for before the draft of the European players.
“We had to watch a lot of videos to do our assessments. We saw a few games of Pavel during the world championship for players under 16. We were supposed to attend the World Under-18s, but it was canceled. It was therefore necessary to discuss with the agents to better know the players and to trust the match films, ”specifies Jocelyn Thibault.
His ability to play in both directions of the ice and his mobility immediately attracted the Phoenix’s attention to the right-hander.
“Some players caught our eye and Pavel is one of them! It fulfills a specific need. ”
Grishin confirms his presence
Jocelyn Thibault has already obtained confirmation from the player and his agent: Pavel Grishin wants to play in Canada and ensures his presence at the Phoenix camp if conditions allow in relation to the pandemic.
“We are certain that he is coming,” says Jocelyn Thibault.
After Ukrainian Vladislav Lysenko, Pavel Grishin is the second European defender drafted in the history of the Phoenix. We will especially remember the robust Lysenko for his 89 minutes of punishment in 66 games.
“There will be an adaptation in his case, explains Thibault. It will evolve in a new environment and on a smaller ice rink. ”
In 27 games for the under-18s, Grishin had nine points and 18 minutes of penalty time with CSKA Moskva.
First choice Petrov
The Russian Matvei Petrov became the first choice of the CHL international draft and the North Bay team had this selection. Czech Jan Bednar (2nd) goes with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan.
Swiss Atillio Biasca will join the Halifax Mooseheads while 17-year-old Russian forward Alexei Prokopenko will become a member of the Gatineau Olympiques. The Omsk Avangard forward under 17 was the captain of his team. In 30 games, he collected 26 goals and 40 assists.
The Quebec Remparts have selected a player from Finland, Viljami Marjala, for the first time.
Lorenzo Canonica, a center player from Switzerland, was later drafted by the Shawinigan Cataractes. Also in the first round, a Russian winger was added to the Saint John Sea Dogs roster: Fyodor Svechkov.
Ivan Barbashev’s brother in Moncton
The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies have made striker Danila Klimovich (Belarus) the 29th European auction selection.
The Charlottetown Islanders immediately selected Czech Jakub Brabenec, a forward who played in the under 20s … just 16 years old. The latter even faced professionals in Division 2 of his country.
In 41st place, the Rimouski Océanic opted for Alexander Lazarev, a Russian striker. In 47th place, the Chicoutimi Saguenéens chose Matej Kaslik, a center from Slovakia. Just before, Mikhail Nizovkin became the pick of the Cape Breton Eagles.
Among other highlights from the draft, Ivan Barbashev’s brother Maxim will play in Moncton. His brother had 95 points in just 57 games in his last season with the Wildcats and has been playing in the NHL for the St. Louis Blues for three years.
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