Stevenet
11-10-2003, 04:56 AM
Apparently there is more to the story on how Alexei Shkotov ended up in Quebec. It was obvious that Shkotov's offense-first mentality was clashing with coach Christian LaRue's defence-first system. Several times Shkotov was benched by LaRue and told that his free-wheeling style would not fly with the Wildcats. After a second period benching in a recent game, Shkotov went to the locker room, took off his equipment, showered, and got dressed in his street clothes. When LaRue saw this he went ballistic, yelling at Shkotov, and Shkotov just told him that he doesn't need LaRue and that he is going back to Russia. At this point LaRue thew a clipboard or dryboard at Shkotov, which prompted Shkotov to yell back at LaRue, and since he isn't very fluent in english, 99% of the words were profane. Soon thereafter, Shkotov was in a Remparts uniform.
With the return of Petr Preucil to the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, it gave them the problem of having 3 European players. After shopping Michal Lukac around, and with no takers, the Drakkar released Lukac who has now headed south to the Tri-City Storm of the USHL, where he will play with Slovak U20 teammate Rastislav Spirko. Lukac was rumoured to be going to Quebec if they somehow failed getting one of the 3 Europeans from Moncton, but once Shkotov ended up in Quebec, Lukac was stuck without a team.
Martin Slovak, of the Voltigeurs is still in Canada. The 19 year old forward recently left Drummondville without saying anything to anyone and going to Victoriaville to be with his billets from his time in Victoriaville. Upon hearing this, Drummondville asked Slovak to come back, which he refused, and was then promptly released. Slovak was supposed to return to Slovakia and play for HC Kosice, but is still plotting his next career move.
Speaking of Victoriaville, the Tigres have released 19 year old Czech Josef Fojtik. The gritty forward no longer had a place in the Tigres lineup after starting the year on the top line. The Tigres have struggled to find consistant line combos this season, and Fojtik just couldnt find his place. With his release, this now gives the Tigres an open European slot, and with defenceman Jesse Lane still holding out from the Carolina Hurricanes, awaiting a trade, the Tigres have a 20 year old slot open. Rumour has it GM John Greene is going to be looking at overager Martin Kasik to return. Kasik is currently playing in the Czech 1.Liga with HC Prostejov and would more than likely return to the Tigres if asked. He stated last year tha he would play as a 20 year old in the Q if the opportunity arose.
Several players from around the league will be playing in the World Juniors this year. Ervins Mustukovs (Drummondville) and Martins Karsums (Moncton) will be representing Latvia in the 2004 U20 Division 1 in Berlin, Germany from December 14th to 20th. They are both scheduled to leave North America on the 26th of November to attend training camp. Juraj Leska (Bathurst), Richard Stehlik and Vladislav Balaz (Lewiston), Vladimir Kutny (Quebec), and Michal Sersen (Rimouski) will more than likely represent Slovakia in the U20 A Pool tournament in Finland. Marek Hascak and Michal Gavalier (Shawinigan), Stanislav Lascek (Chicoutimi) and Milan Hruska (Bathurst) all have an outside chance at making the team. The Czech will be represented by Martin Vagner (Gatineau), Petr Vrana (Halifax) and Zbynek Hrdel (Rimouski), with Petr Pohl (Gatineau) and Jan Steber (Halifax) as possible surprises. Belarus' lone Q rep will definitely play in the tournament, Konstantin Zakharov (Moncton) will take his usual place on the top line next to Andrei Kastitsyn. Tim Ramholt (Cape Breton) and Daniel Manzato (Victoriaville) will be wearing the ed, white and black of the Swiss national team as well. Finally, the Russians could once again have 2 QMJHL reps this year, after Artukhin and Shishkanov helped the Russians to gold last year, it may be the turn of Alexei Shkotov (Quebec) and Alexander Kojevnikov (Val D'Or).
With the return of Petr Preucil to the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, it gave them the problem of having 3 European players. After shopping Michal Lukac around, and with no takers, the Drakkar released Lukac who has now headed south to the Tri-City Storm of the USHL, where he will play with Slovak U20 teammate Rastislav Spirko. Lukac was rumoured to be going to Quebec if they somehow failed getting one of the 3 Europeans from Moncton, but once Shkotov ended up in Quebec, Lukac was stuck without a team.
Martin Slovak, of the Voltigeurs is still in Canada. The 19 year old forward recently left Drummondville without saying anything to anyone and going to Victoriaville to be with his billets from his time in Victoriaville. Upon hearing this, Drummondville asked Slovak to come back, which he refused, and was then promptly released. Slovak was supposed to return to Slovakia and play for HC Kosice, but is still plotting his next career move.
Speaking of Victoriaville, the Tigres have released 19 year old Czech Josef Fojtik. The gritty forward no longer had a place in the Tigres lineup after starting the year on the top line. The Tigres have struggled to find consistant line combos this season, and Fojtik just couldnt find his place. With his release, this now gives the Tigres an open European slot, and with defenceman Jesse Lane still holding out from the Carolina Hurricanes, awaiting a trade, the Tigres have a 20 year old slot open. Rumour has it GM John Greene is going to be looking at overager Martin Kasik to return. Kasik is currently playing in the Czech 1.Liga with HC Prostejov and would more than likely return to the Tigres if asked. He stated last year tha he would play as a 20 year old in the Q if the opportunity arose.
Several players from around the league will be playing in the World Juniors this year. Ervins Mustukovs (Drummondville) and Martins Karsums (Moncton) will be representing Latvia in the 2004 U20 Division 1 in Berlin, Germany from December 14th to 20th. They are both scheduled to leave North America on the 26th of November to attend training camp. Juraj Leska (Bathurst), Richard Stehlik and Vladislav Balaz (Lewiston), Vladimir Kutny (Quebec), and Michal Sersen (Rimouski) will more than likely represent Slovakia in the U20 A Pool tournament in Finland. Marek Hascak and Michal Gavalier (Shawinigan), Stanislav Lascek (Chicoutimi) and Milan Hruska (Bathurst) all have an outside chance at making the team. The Czech will be represented by Martin Vagner (Gatineau), Petr Vrana (Halifax) and Zbynek Hrdel (Rimouski), with Petr Pohl (Gatineau) and Jan Steber (Halifax) as possible surprises. Belarus' lone Q rep will definitely play in the tournament, Konstantin Zakharov (Moncton) will take his usual place on the top line next to Andrei Kastitsyn. Tim Ramholt (Cape Breton) and Daniel Manzato (Victoriaville) will be wearing the ed, white and black of the Swiss national team as well. Finally, the Russians could once again have 2 QMJHL reps this year, after Artukhin and Shishkanov helped the Russians to gold last year, it may be the turn of Alexei Shkotov (Quebec) and Alexander Kojevnikov (Val D'Or).