Tough year for Ukrainians

.. and for Ukrainian born hockey players as well,

Nikolai Zherdev - 41 games, 20 points
Alexei Zhitnik - 45 games, 17 points
Ruslan Fedotenko - 48 games, 22 points (not bad, but still behind last years pace)
Alexei Mikhnov - 2 NHL games, 0 points. Disappointing thus far.

Sokol Kyiv - The team that had produced such players as Khristich, Zhitnik and Fedotenko has fallen, to its lowest point in team history losing players and games left and right.


Some bright spots however, Alexei Ponikarovsky, who was out with injury, is doing fairly well however with 26 points in 37 games. Anton Babchuk has won a regular spot on Carolina's defense corps, Vitaly Vishnevsky is a valuable part of Atlanta's team.

Feds started out the season really well but has fallen off pace recently. Hope he gets it going again soon.

Sucks about Sokol Kiev too. They should let clubs from ex-Soviet countries into the Russian leagues like they do for some of the Kazakh clubs(although those clubs aren't allowed into the top division - that should be changed). I think it would help hockey in all of Eastern Europe.

Alexei Mikhnov hasn't been given much chance to play. True, Edmonton had a sortee of injuries throughout the season, but I don't think Mikhnov was up for it this year. This year, you might see Kevin Lowe toying with him in the roster more often. If Thoresen didn't have such a good start to his season, Mikhnov would have had more chances.

I doubt Mikhnov will return to North America...

shame, wasted talent. I hate to see good young players blocked. At least trade them to a team who has an opening in another Conference. Guys like Suglobov and Vorobiev come to mind when thinking of promising young players who didn't get their shot...

I'm hoping that Mihknov gets his chance still with the Oilers this year.

I think the year in Russia did him some more good.

Or.. it could be that im biased and being of Ukrainian decent I want to see him succeed.

I'm hoping that Mihknov gets his chance still with the Oilers this year.

I think the year in Russia did him some more good.

Or.. it could be that im biased and being of Ukrainian decent I want to see him succeed.

I remember seeing hockey clips of him on the internet, this kid has talent. With the Oilers 'rebuilding' , he'll be given a shot.