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@Rodion Amirov | W | Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL)
Well that didn’t take long. Rodion Amirov picks up an assist in the first period of his KHL return from injury. Hasn’t played for Salavat since September 29, played three games in the VHL last week on what was basically a conditioning stint
— Kyle Cushman (@Kyle_Cush) December 6, 2021
Roni Hirvonen | C | HIFK (Liiga)
“For the season, he has registered 48 shots on goal but is shooting just 2.8% – a number that is sure to rise if continues to generate chances. Hirvonen has also been a positive play driver for HIFK, currently sitting second on the team with a 63.9 CF%. Even when the pucks aren’t going in, Hirvonen’s play style allows him to be a positive contributor for his team.”
#LeafsForever prospect Roni Hirvonen scored a pair of goals in HIFK’s 6-4 win over JYP, giving him six goals and 10 assists through 28 games so far this season. pic.twitter.com/Q6JECt9OSm
— Nick Richard (@_NickRichard) December 11, 2021
@Kristians Rubins | LHD | Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Keefe on Rubins through 2 games: "I think he's done a good job. There were times today that I thought he looked overwhelmed. He's a great guy, he battled a bunch today, he was physical. He got some shots to the net. He's done some good things."
— David Alter (@dalter) December 10, 2021
@Chad Krys | LHD | Toronto Marlies (AHL)
Notes from the rest of the prospect pool
- Topi Niemelä matched his longest streak of the season, going three games without a point but has gotten back on the board in each of his last two games, picking up a goal and an assist. His 24 points in 30 games continue to lead all Liiga defencemen as he gets set to depart for the World Juniors.
- Ryan Tverbeg was a surprise inclusion for Team Canada’s World Junior selection camp and though he was released on Sunday night when the final roster was announced, being recognized as a candidate to make that team in the first place is a nice feather in his cap. Though he ultimately didn’t make the cut, Tverberg’s high-energy style of play caught the eye of Canada’s coaching staff and he should be brimming with confidence upon his return to UConn.
Dave Cameron on Ryan Tverberg (TOR): “I liked him. He’s tenacious on the puck. That’s his biggest asset. He’s around it. I thought he had a couple of opportunities that he kind of whiffed on. But high energy, good reads around the puck, good on the forecheck, good in battles."
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) December 12, 2021
- @Mac Hollowell returned to the Marlies’ lineup over the weekend after being away from the team for over a month due to personal reasons. He registered an assist in his second game back to give him three points through eight games on the season. Here’s hoping that whatever issues Hollowell was dealing with are behind him.
- Semyon-Der Arguchintsev sits fourth in scoring for the Marlies but his play away from the puck has been a cause for concern in his first full AHL season. He was benched in the third period of Saturday’s game against Bridgeport and found himself demoted to the fourth line to begin Sunday’s contest against Providence. There is no questioning SDA’s puck skills and offensive vision but he is going to need to become stronger in his own end in order to earn the opportunities needed to take advantage of his offensive gifts.
- @Erik Kallgren has been a pleasant story for the Marlies so far this season. Signed as a free agent out of the SHL last spring, he has taken advantage of his opportunity in the AHL. Through nine games, he has put up a .928 save percentage – over thirty points higher than the next best mark among Marlies goaltenders so far this season. If injuries strike in the Leafs crease again, Källgren could be next in line for a look in the NHL if he continues his solid play with the Marlies.
- The offense hasn’t been there in abundance for @Mikhail Abramov in his first professional season but he had a solid weekend, adding three assists over his last two games. Like Der-Arguchintsev, he is adjusting to the pace of the league and learning what it takes on the defensive side of the puck in order to be successful.
- Joe Miller has been torching the USHL in recent weeks and is currently riding a ten-game point streak. He has piled up seven goals and 16 assists over that time to push his season totals to 11 goals and 22 assists in 25 games. His production has been remarkable during his second year with the Chicago Steel but the real test of Miller’s abilities will come next season when he begins his collegiate career at the University of Minnesota.
#LeafsForever prospect Joe Miller stays hot, setting up Adam Fantilli’s goal tonight: pic.twitter.com/2JaFMKE4x0
— Josh Simpson (@joshsimpson77) December 11, 2021
- Dmitri Ovchinnikov is back to spending his days sitting on the bench watching his Sibir teammates play. In the last nine KHL games he has been dressed for, he has seen the ice in just one of them. It has been a frustrating season for the young Russian forward, too good for the MHL but not experienced enough to earn consistent playing time in the KHL. Unfortunately, Sibir is one of the few KHL teams without a VHL affiliate so there is no middle ground for Ovchinnikov until he earns the trust of his KHL coaches.