Russia names roster for CHL series

Aaron Vickers2016 Draft Center, Tournaments & Events

Twenty-five players eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft are among those named by the Russian Ice Hockey Federation for the 2015 CHL Canada-Russia Series.

Team Russia will play Team WHL on Nov. 9 in Kelowna, and Nov. 10 in Kamloops; Team OHL on Nov. 12 in Owen Sound, and Nov. 16 in Windsor; and Team QMJHL on Nov. 17 in Rouyn-Noranda, and Nov. 19 in Halifax.

Among those eligible for the draft, including goaltender Anton Krasotkin, defenseman Artem Volkov, and forwards Kirill Pilipenko and Daniil Vovchenko.

Krasotkin, 18, has previously represented Russia at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and the World Junior A Challenge.

“He is a solid stopper that uses aggressive positioning and quickness to make up for a lack of ideal size,” Future Considerations’ scouting director Dan Stewart said. “Standing a shade under five-foot-11, he is not the prototypical size NHL teams look for in a goaltender but with his athleticism and fluid mobility, also his penchant for making the flashy save, he could become a fan favorite if given the playing time.”

The 18-year-old Volkov has been held pointless in 15 games with Dynamo Moskva of the KHL this season.

Like Krasotkin, he was passed over in the 2015 NHL Draft.

“I’m surprised he wasn’t drafted last June,” Stewart said. “Volkov doesn’t take any guff from his opponents and will battle in the crease or on the wall for the puck until he has used every last bit of energy. He plays in all situations, is active and reads the play. He moves well, generating healthy levels of speed, and is not fazed by pressure.”

Pilipenko, who has seven goals in 11 games with Daniil Vovchenko of the VHL, and Vovchenko, who has three points in eight games with Severstal Cherepovets of the KHL, have previously gone undrafted, too.

“Both will be fun to watch and can make skilled plays,” Stewart said. “Pilipenko can be a game-breaker for the Russians, and someone the Canadians will need to keep in check, while Vovchenko is offensively creative and likes the puck on his stick.”

Rosters for Team WHL, Team OHL and Team QMJHL have previously been released.