FAZLEYEV MAKES EARLY IMPACT IN CALGARY
It’s safe to say that Pavlo Padakin and Radel Fazleev will be connected at the hip for the upcoming season.
Fazleev, the Hitmen’s selection in the 2013 CHL Import Draft, arrived in Calgary about three weeks ago from his homeland of Russia, and doesn’t speak much English.
Padakin, on the other hand, was born and raised in Ukraine, speaks Russian and has lived in North America for two seasons.
For Fazleev to make an impact in Calgary, he’ll need Padakin by his side to help him along.
“When he came to Calgary, it was pretty tough for him, but he’s skated with us for a few days and likes the guys on the team,” said Padakin, translating for Fazleev after the first scrimmage of Hitmen main camp.
“He’s glad there is a Russian speaker like me to help him because it’s pretty tough coming over by yourself. He’ll try to progress and become a member of the team.”
If his first day is any indication, Hitmen fans should be salivating over the potential of the 17-year-old forward from Kazan, Russia.
Playing for Team Red, he showed fantastic puck skills while scoring one goal and ringing another one directly off the crossbar.
In the second contest, he scored his second marker of camp while adding two assists as his team went a perfect 2-0.
He also finished tied for first in the beep test during fitness testing.
“He’s a hard-working guy, his fitness testing was exceptional and his skill is terrific,” said Hitmen general manager Mike Moore.
Padakin added, “He’ll help our team.”
Fazleev was one of the best young hockey players in Russia, representing his nativeland at a number of international tournaments, most recently securing a fourth-place finish at the 2013 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament earlier this month.
During the tourney, he scored one goal while adding two assists in four games.
“Every country brought their best roster to the tournament so it was pretty good,” Fazleyev said via translator.
Last season, Fazleev scored seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points along with eight penalty minutes over 23 games with Irbis Kazan of the Russian Junior League. He added one goal and two assists in five playoff games.
He had previously been in Calgary before for a tournament, and it was his love of hockey that brought him back this time around.
“He came here to play hockey and it’s pretty different than Russia because in Canada, people live for hockey,” Padakin said for him. “In Calgary, everyone knows who you are.
“It’s a Russian’s dream to come over and play in Canada.”
