A young prospect’s hockey journey heavily relies on evolution.

In his third year of OHL hockey, Kirill Kudryavtsev discovered the valuable lessons of the past season.

In the 2023-24 season, the Soo Greyhounds had a 20-year-old defenseman who scored five goals and made 42 assists in 67 games played.

Kudryavtsev’s decision to move to North America has proven to be a wise choice. He successfully adapted to the playing style in this region and fully embraced the life of a Major Junior player in Canada.

“With a chuckle, Kudryavtsev expressed, ‘The feeling of strangeness has completely disappeared. When I first arrived, everything felt unfamiliar – the stores, the people, the language. But now, after a year, I’ve grown accustomed to it all. Initially, there was no one on the team who spoke Russian, so I had to push myself to improve my English skills.'”

Following a remarkable offensive performance throughout the 2022-23 season, Kudryavtsev expressed his desire to enhance his overall skills and evolve into a genuine top-tier defenseman in the OHL. His immense dedication paid off as he achieved a remarkable improvement in his plus/minus rating, skyrocketing from -15 to an impressive +29 difference this past season.

Kudryavtsev stated that due to our team’s strong offensive abilities, he chose to focus on maintaining a balanced approach as a two-way defenseman. While still contributing points during power play situations, he consciously avoided rushing or forcing plays. Instead, he prioritized minimizing risks and playing more for the benefit of the team. This decision was motivated by the disappointment of last year’s unsuccessful playoff bid, which occurred as a result of attempting excessive efforts.

GOAL HOUNDS

Thinking we should always be shorthanded?
ANOTHER shorty – this time by Kudryavtsev

6 – 3 US pic.twitter.com/Ee2hhezz2J

— Soo Greyhounds (@OHLHoundPower) December 16, 2023

Kudryavtsev is determined to secure a spot on the Abbotsford Canucks during training camp. However, he recognizes the importance of playing time at this stage of his career and acknowledges that he has other options. Should he decide to join the Greyhounds in the OHL for his fourth season, he would have ample opportunities to contribute on the blueline and gain valuable experience.

Kudryavtsev expressed, “In order to progress further, I must dedicate myself to improving specific skills. My goal is to join the AHL next season. To achieve this, I need to focus on gaining some weight and becoming more physically mature. Additionally, I will continue honing my strengths and excelling in areas where I perform well, but at a more advanced level. This summer, I am putting in tremendous effort to enhance every aspect of my game.”

The primary objective is to reach the AHL, though ultimately the ultimate goal for everyone is to make it to the NHL. However, the future is uncertain, and one can never predict what will happen. I am making a conscious effort to avoid getting ahead of myself and setting specific expectations like wanting to team up with Quinn Hughes in the upcoming season. While that would undoubtedly be amazing, my current focus is on making progress gradually and accomplishing my goals one step at a time.

At the Canucks development camp, he discovered a wellspring of motivation as Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin shared the story of Teddy Blueger, who took seven years to make his NHL debut after being drafted. The Sedins and Mike Komisarek emphasized the importance of patience in Kudryavtsev’s journey, highlighting the need for his development and ongoing progress to remain the primary focus.

KIRILL THE THRILL!

Kudryavtsev does it all himself, going upstairs for the overtime winner! @OHLHoundPower | @Canucks pic.twitter.com/g2bElwrtyv

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) October 29, 2023

After dedicating himself to enhancing his game in the OHL for the past two seasons, Kudryavtsev has developed an impressive set of skills. However, he is now determined to shift his focus back to his natural strengths and assess if they can secure him a position in the AHL this season.

He places a strong emphasis on confidently moving the puck, utilizing his skating abilities to disrupt passing lanes and quickly closing in on opponents, pressuring them to commit errors.

Should Kudryavtsev decide to return to the OHL, it is highly likely that he will join the AHL roster after completing his fourth season with the Soo Greyhounds. Despite being only 20 years old, Kudryavtsev is determined to follow a long-term development plan, and he has the unwavering support of the Canucks’ development staff. He wholeheartedly believes in the plan he formulated with the Canucks and is well on his way to becoming a professional player in the near future.