Greyhounds veteran D making his mark
by Peter Ruicci (Independent Media) | Photo by Bob Davies
Whether he’s attacking or defending, Kirill Kudryavtsev has the ability to move the needle.
His play at both ends of the ice is one of the big reasons why the Soo Greyhounds carry a 17-8-2-0 record into Wednesday’s 7:05 p.m. start in Sudbury.
The 19-year-old (2004 birth year) defenceman has taken such strides over his three OHL seasons, his head coach is willing to hand him a rare designation.
“Kirill is the best defenceman in the league. I don’t think anyone is close,” said John Dean, whose club is 5-1-2-0 over its last eight starts. “He’s so multi-dimensional. He has so many tools.”
Dean went on to explain how Kudryavtsev is seldom, if ever, out of position, combining high I.Q. while handling the puck with the ability to thwart some of the best offensive players in the league.
“He distributes the puck better than anyone else on our team when it comes to exiting our zone,” added Dean. “He runs our power play, has unbelievable leadership skills on and off the ice and approaches the game like a professional.”
In his second OHL season, centre Christopher Brown has also found himself marveling at Kudryavtsev’s play.
In 27 games, the native of Yaroslavl, Russia, has three goals and 19 assists for 22 points. He also boasts of a plus-minus of plus-10, despite often facing the opponents top line.
“I think overall, he’s the best defenceman in the league, easily,” said Brown, a Toronto native and the Soo’s first-round selection (No. 16 overall) in the 2022 Priority Selections draft.
When asked what has impressed him most about Kudryavtsev, Brown spoke of his teammate’s two-way play.
“I don’t think he’s ever had a game where he hasn’t worked his rear end off,” Brown added. “Overall, he puts everything into every game and I think he’s one of the smartest players in the league.”
A quiet sort whose grasp of his second language continues to improve, Kudryavtsev spoke of how much he appreciates the kind words offered about the way he’s played.
And while explaining how he believes there are always things he can improve upon, he did agree that he’s presently playing his best hockey in a Greyhounds uniform.
“I’m super proud to hear those comments especially from my coach and my teammates,” said the six-foot, 194-pounder. “It makes me happy to hear. I’m flattered by it.”
Taken by the Soo in the first round (No. 6 overall) of the 2021 CHL Import Draft, Kudryavtsev talked about how he was reluctant early in his career to take chances with the puck offensively.
However, these days he’s “gotten back to who I am.”
He also noted how he’s always been a two-way defenceman.
Asked what he’s worked on of late, Kudryavtsev spoke of making sure he keeps his feet moving at the blue-line while the Hounds are in possession of the puck. He says he surely doesn’t want to just stand and shoot, but is determined to move the defender in front of him while faking passes and/or shots.
What makes him most happy? Is it setting up a goal or making a slick defensive play?
Kudryavtsev talked about how everyone wants to be a part of putting a goal on the scoreboard.
“But if I can make an unbelievable defensive play in the final minute, I’m obviously happy with that, too,” he added.
More than anything, the versatile rearguard is focused on team goals, while describing how he wants the 2023-2024 Hounds to win division and conference championships, en route to an OHL title.
A signed Vancouver Canucks prospect, who joined that organization in the seventh round in 2022, Kudryavtsev said he loves his teammates, and is happy living in the Sault, calling the people here “unbelievable,” while also noting how “the atmosphere at our games is unbelievable.”
Meantime, the Wolves enter Wednesday’s clash with a 13-10-1-1 mark, having lost 7-4 to the Hounds on Nov. 15 in the Sault.
Following that contest, the Greyhounds return home to play host to Kingston on Friday (7:07 p.m.) and London on Sunday (2:07 p.m.).
