Traverse City News and Notes: Vishnevskiy confident after taste of NHL
/Andrew's Dallas Stars Page
Stars prospect Ivan Vishnevskiy got a taste of the NHL late last season, and came away from the experience with some confidence.
"Last year at the end of the season I played in a couple of games and I saw the NHL level and how they play. I can compete at this level," said after a recent practice at the NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan. "Yeah, I have some stuff to prove at this tournament and the preseason."Vishnevskiy, a highly skilled, slick skating offensive defenseman, embarked on his professional career last season but it wasn't under ideal conditions. The Stars didn't have an AHL affiliate, so Vishnevskiy ended up with the St. Louis affiliate in Peoria. He picked up six goals and 13 assists in 67 games and had his ups and downs.
But he got a chance to play in the NHL late in the season and opened some eyes. He suited up for three games with the Dallas Stars, averaging 19:33 of ice time and registering two assists. He drew good reviews at the time and that has fueled talk that he is close to making the jump to the NHL full time.
"He's got some great offensive assets. Last year he got in three games and it gave him a chance to see the NHL level with his own eyes instead of always hearing from adults that you've got to do this and you've got to do that. He's seen it for himself," said Stars Director of Scouting and Player Development Les Jackson. "I think he'll get in three or four games in exhibition and that will set him up for the season. If he does well he'll be right on the cusp of our team."
There are some hurdles to clear. The Stars already have eight NHL defenseman on the roster. Vishnevskiy said he won't be looking at that when hits the ice for Stars training camp this weekend.
"I just have to go out there and do my stuff," the Russian-born 21-year-old said. "I don't worry about they are going to take my spot or I am going to take their spot, I am going to do what I do, do my best and see what happens."
Vishnevskiy said he's looking at the Traverse City tournament, where he has two assists in three games, as a chance to get ready for training camp and to work on his game.
"I just have to work on everything," said Vishnevskiy. "Join the rush and be like the fourth forward, move the puck quick, see my play before I get the puck. The NHL is really quick, so you have to know one or two plays before you get the puck."
Cracking the Stars' roster out of training camp might be a tall order, but there's a belief that with a strong showing Vishnevskiy will get a chance to see more time in the NHL this season.
"Great skill, great skater, good passer," said Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk. "With the loss of [Sergei] Zubov, it's a great opportunity for a kid like that."
Stars prospects beat Columbus 4-3
Richard Bachman made 35 saves and Sergei Korostin scored two goals as Stars prospects beat Columbus 4-3 Wednesday afternoon at the NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan. Scott McCulloch and Mathieu Tousignant also scored for the Stars, who finished third in their division with a 1-1-1 record. They will play Detroit, the third place finisher in the other division, in the fifth place game Thursday at 2 p.m. Central Time.
Prospect snapshot: Philip Larsen
One of the Stars' top prospects not playing at the tournament in Traverse City is defenseman Philip Larsen. He's been playing preseason hockey with Frolunda of the Swedish Elite League and will attend Stars' training camp, which gets underway this weekend.
Larsen had an excellent 2008-09 season, posting two goals, 15 assists and a plus-eight rating in 53 games with Frolunda.
"He had a great year last year. He's got some similarities in his game to [Ivan] Vishnevskiy. He's real poised and can move the puck," said Stars Director of Scouting and Player Development Les Jackson said. "He'll get in three exhibition games with us and then he'll go back to Frolunda. This is kind of a training period for him so that he can see what kind of competition he has ahead of him in the NHL. He's certainly got the ingredients to be a player, it's just a matter of growing and maturing."
