Anisimov Arriving in North America Brimming With Confidence

Artem Anisimov is coming out this year. After toiling for a year in obscurity even in his native Russia, getting little ice time in his first season in the Super League, he is poised to hit North America, first as part of Russia’s entry is the Under-18 Super Series vs. Canada, and then as part of the New York Rangers’ organization. He has gotten a taste of the Rangers already in Prospect Development Camp last June. “I loved New York,” he said of his week at the MSG Training Center. “I worked productively there. I was in camp a week, and in that time had to pass several small tests and undergo on-ice training.”

He was not surprised by the Rangers’ invitation. “I had long wanted to try going overseas and did not turn down any options,” he said. “The invitation to me was a major success, because few receive it. In America, [we go through] intensive one-hour training sessions. The entire training process moves very quickly at maximum speed.” He said that he got along well with the people he met here. “It was surprisingly easy. I tried to communicate with everyone -- Americans are a friendly and affable people. Besides, it helped me to practice English -- thus far I cannot boast good language proficiency.”

Despite having only one full season in the Super League under his belt, Anisimov is confident that he can conquer North America. “It is better to leave earlier than not go at all,” he said. “This opportunity happens once in a lifetime, and I do not think it is worthwhile to miss this chance. My goal is to break in with the New York Rangers, and I will pursue that. [But] even if I have to go through the lower leagues, I will, and I will work. I will play in the NHL!” He is doing “nothing special” to prepare for his North American adventure. “In the summer, I practiced with Lokomotiv’s top team,” he said. “I’m thankful to team management and the coaches for allowing me to do so.” Lokomotiv was Anisimov’s team last season, but he did not make an impact there until the playoffs. The reason, he said, was “common bad luck. Cross-bars, posts -- sometimes it was not even possible to shoot on net. The puck simply did not want to go in the net.”

Fellow Russian draftee Alexei Cherepanov was at Ranger Prospect Camp too, immediately after being drafted in the first round (17th overall) by the team a few days earlier. Anisimov described their relationship as “normal, friendly.” Asked if the two would unite to lead the Rangers and conquer the hearts of New York fans, the upbeat young man answered, “Everything is possible -- we will try! Nothing is impossible!” He had no explanation for Cherepanov dropping out of the top ten in the draft. “Am I a scout?” he said, laughing. “If it happened, they must have their reasons.” One could have very well have asked him why he fell to the second round in his draft year when he was projected as a first rounder -- the answer is the same: the lack of a transfer agreement between Russia and the NHL.

Anisimov will initially team up Cherepanov in the Super Series. “We will beat them!” said Anisimov of his team’s prospects. “Our team is very strong in character. We have kids who won silver at the last world championship. We already have some experience in international tournaments. Furthermore, we are now joined by kids a year younger who this spring took gold at the [Under-18] World Junior Championships.” For Russia to prevail, they will have to get past devastating losses to Canada in recent WJC finals. Anisimov explained the difference between the two countries at the junior level. “The main reason, I think, is that our young people lack experience in playoff games,” he said. “In Canada, the experience gained in elimination games is very important. Our rivals are in a league where they get in-game practice, in contrast to Russia's young players, who are rarely trusted in the critical moments.”

Sergei Nemchinov, a Ranger when they won the Stanley Cup in 1994, makes his head coaching debut in this series. “If the management of Russian Hockey Federation appointed Sergei Lvovich head coach, that means they trust him,” said Anisimov. “This Super Series -- his debut, we will try to make a success.” Nemchinov named Anisimov as one of the team’s leaders. “Any player on our team can take upon himself the role of leader,” Anisimov said. “Maybe it is best when there is no one specific person pulling evenyone along behind him. In one match, the burden will fall on some, the next day the lead will be accepted by others. This was the story with us this year in Sweden. All parts were of equal importance and in their own way interesting.” Anisimov is nevertheless a top candidate to wear the captain’s C for Russia. “Let’s wait for the decision of the coaching staff,” he said. “If they make me captain, it is good. If not, I will not be upset. I will help however I can.”

Thanks to Blueshirt Bulletin reader Laurie for the above quotes, all of which come from her translation of an interview at AllHockey.ru -- sure beats those weird Babelfish translations. A Cherepanov interview is presented in English at RussianProspects.com, but like the one we linked to yesterday, he talks only about the Super Series, not about the Rangers. In other Ranger reading, Marc Staal and Tommy Pyatt are preparing for training camp with other Thunder Bay natives, including Marc's less sensible brothers -- Staal speaks about his preparations in an article in the Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal. And the Detroit Free Press checks back in with former Red Wing and current Ranger Brendan Shanahan in a brief interview.

Comments

[emscam]

I heard that Anisimov's contract has an out that allows him to return to the RSL if he doesn't make the Rangers.

[Dubi]

Maybe so, but you read it here -- he says he will work his way up through the AHL if he has too, and work hard, rather than go back to Jaroslavl. He views this as a once in a lifetime opportunity and wants to seize the day -- gotta love the kid's attitude.

[emscam]

No doubt his attitude is great. I think he has a big tourney vs Canada.

[laurie]

emscam,

The stuff about Anisimov's contract came from an article about the Russian junior team's win over Spartak Moscow in a warm-up match for the Super Series (in which the junior team won 7-2 over the under-manned Spartak team, and, depending on which score sheet you look at, Anisimov either got 2 goals and an assist, or 3 goals, and along with his linemate was considered the hero of the game). The article (in Russian) is here: http://www.hawk.ru/press/5887.html At the end of it, they ask Anisimov a few questions, mostly about the game and the Super Series, but at the end he's asked "Is there clause in your agreement with the Rangers which allows you to return to Lokomotiv if you don't make the team?" His reply is: "Yes, but I hope to make the team." He's then asked if he thinks his he's ready for the NHL game, to which he replies "I have a good chance to prove it. I will try." Like Dubi said, the clause may exist, but it doesn't sound like he's interested at this point in exercising it.

Incidentally, Cherepanov didn't play very well in that game (though he got an assist) and was dropped to the 3rd line and saw less than 8 minutes of ice time -- despite wearing the alternate captain's "A". In their next warm-up game against Khimik, however, he played better, scored a goal (possibly the game-winner, I don't recall), and wore the "C" while the player who'd worn the "C" the game before was rested (along with Anisimov and a few others).

[Jess]

I will second Dubi's comments as I got to meet both the kid and his agent at the 2006 draft and my impression of AA is that he is way mature for his age.

Unlike other Russians youngsters who have viewed the AHL as a demotion, I believe that AA understands that this is the quickest route for him to make the Rangers so he will not cut and run back to Russia.

[emscam]

I never said he would use the out clause, just that he had one in his present contract.

[K]

He sounds like a good team guy as well as a hard worker. Can't wait to see him in pre-season games!

[TommyG]

Does anyone know if the pre-season game tickets are the same price as a regular season game???

[Alex]

I am pretty sure pre-season games cost the same as regular season games. It should come at a special price in my opinion. CAN'T WAIT FOR IT!

[Jess]

Emscam

Doubt then that your information is correct since AA signed the standard entry level contract.

It is very doubtful that Sather would allow anyone to have an out clause unless it was to Sather's advantage.

[Jess]

Preseason Update

8/25 David Skokan (07 7th) scoreless as his Oceanic lost to the Chicoutimi Saguenéens 2-0.

8/26 Ryan Hillier (06 3rd) 2 goals wearing the "A" as the Mooseheads got blasted 10-2 by the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

Later this week OHL teams will start to show up for camp (Sanguinetti and Zaborsky)

START THE COUNTDOWN as Rangers Rookie Camp is just 2 weeks away.

[sk]

Dubi,

Any idea why - other than by mistake - NHLNUMBERS.COM lists Dan Girardi and Ryan Callahan as inactive players on their summary page for the Rangers? Are they eligible to go back to Hartford without passing through waivers??

[Dubi]

During the off-season, only players with one-way NHL contracts are considered as active, with only their contracts counting toward the off-season cap of $55.33 million ($50.3 million + 10%).

[emscam]

Jess

laurie;s post answered the question about AA having an out clause in his current contract. He does have one

AA says

"Is there clause in your agreement with the Rangers which allows you to return to Lokomotiv if you don't make the team?" His reply is: "Yes, but I hope to make the team."

http://www.hawk.ru/press/5887.html

[imitation]

JESS
give me a hint, how is asking the head of the officials about consistency, ambush reporting ? I didn't say attack him or accuse him of anything. With's with the defensive answers? You have no problem in the name of humor trying to offend. I guess you think they call the stick to the mid section, alias the hockey hack, consistently.

[sid21]

Thanks Laurie for the excellent translation, it was a great read. Maybe you apply to be the Ranger translator for these 2 young players when they are on the team.

[laurie]

sid21 - I'd love to, but somehow I don't think they'd appreciate having to wait for me to look up every third word in the dictionary. ;)

Btw, those who want to watch the Super Series can get an online feed here: http://www.hockeywebcasts.com/