Chibrikov makes big impression in Young Stars Classic finale

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/09/2023 (719 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Nikita Chibrikov is ready for everything that comes along with preparing to play his first full season in North America, whether it’s putting in some extra time learning a new language or adapting to new systems.

The skilled Russian forward got a taste of what is on the horizon last spring when he joined the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League for a few skates.

While he didn’t get into any game action, the second-round selection (50th overall) of the Winnipeg Jets in the 2021 NHL Draft was able to get acclimated with his surroundings and that seems to have paid off during his first trip to the Young Stars Classic in Penticton, B.C.

As the Jets wrapped up the four-day prospects showcase at the South Okanagan Events Centre on Monday with a 4-2 loss to the Calgary Flames, Chibrikov was all over the ice and all over the scoresheet as well.

Chibrikov was driving the offence throughout the contest, finishing with a goal and an assist as the Jets finished the event with a record of 1-2.

Chibrikov set up defenceman Elias Salomonsson for a power-play goal that came with four seconds remaining in a two-man advantage, then showed off his patience and quick release by walking out of the corner into the slot and ripping home a shot in the second period for his first goal of the tournament.

Both of the Jets goals on Monday came on the power play and Chibrikov nearly tied the game at 7:35 of the third period on a two-on-one rush, but his quick wrister rattled off the post and sailed out of play.

Playing mostly on a line with first-rounders Chaz Lucius (2021) and Colby Barlow (2023), Chibrikov showed why he’s such an intriguing prospect as he was around the puck all game long, using his smarts and creativity to create opportunities for himself and others.

“Game by game, I feel more comfortable in making an adaptation to North American hockey. For the speed on the ice and the fast decisions on the ice,” Chibrikov told Jets TV in Penticton. “I had some good moments (on Monday). I’m excited to start the season. This was a good experience for me.”

Chibrikov, who spent his summer training in Toronto, is expected to spend this season playing in the AHL and he’s already made an impression on Moose head coach Mark Morrisson.

“We saw him do a lot of things here,” Morrison told Jets TV. “He handles the puck real well, he can make a play, he can shoot the puck. His compete level is good. We saw him block a shot, we saw him go after people physically. He has a high compete level all over the ice.”

Salomonsson, a second-round pick of the Jets in 2022, had another strong outing on the blue line as he approaches his first NHL training camp.

The smooth-skating Swedish defenceman has the type of skillset that should turn some heads during the coming weeks, even if the likely outcome will be that he spends the upcoming campaign suiting up for Skelleftea in the SHL.

Thomas Milic made his second consecutive start and gave up a pair of goals, both of which came after the Jets lost draws cleanly in the defensive zone.

Dominic DiVincentiis came on in relief midway through the second period and the only goal he allowed came while the Flames were enjoying a two-man advantage and Rory Keirns found Adam Klapka for a backdoor tap-in.

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

X: WiebesWorld