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Vitali Abramov named to Russia’s WJC selection camp

December 12, 2017, 1:17 PM ET [1 Comments]
Paul Berthelot
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Team Russia has finally announced the players playing in North America who will be participating in their selection camp for the World Juniors. Among them was Blue Jackets top prospect Vitali Abramov.




Russia is notorious for leaving young players and those not playing in Russia off the team, which is why Abramov did not make the team last season, despite being arguably the best player in the QMJHL. This time around Abramov should 100% be on the team and should be one of the top players on the team.

After what Abramov did last season in the QMJHL, many thought he was done with the league. He came to Jackets camp looking to make team and when he was cut he opted to return to the QMJHL rather than pursue another opportunity in Europe. Abramov has picked right back up where he left off in the Q. He has 16 goals and 25 assists, his 41 points are tied for third in the league. His 1.52 points per game rate is third in the league.

What makes Abramov special isn’t that he puts up big points it’s how he goes about putting up those points. Of his 41 points, 35 are primary per Prospect-Stats, tied for third in the league with newest Jackets prospect Maxime Fortier. Abramov has also been deadly at 5 on 5 so he’s much more than a power play specialist. He has 27 points at 5 on 5 (24 primary) which ranks second in the league. This should be very appealing to Russia as Abramov does not the need the power play to be effective. Russia is going to have plenty of skilled players upfront who will be fighting for time with the man advantage. Abramov would give the team flexibility there as they don’t need to force him onto a PP unit, he can be effective at even strength.

He showed that in front of the Russian coaches at the Canada Russia series in late November. Abramov in the final game, scored late for Russia, at 5 on 5, winning the game and sending the series to a shootout. It was a big goal and showed when the pressure is on, Abramov can elevate his game. Abramov was very good that whole series. I tracked the two games and while possession stats were just ok, 50% Corsi, everything else was really good. Abramov was given a ton of defensive zone starts, and did a tremendous job exiting the zone with the puck. He had six successful exits, versus just two dump outs and one failed.

Despite his size Abramov is a good player is his own end. This again should be very appealing to Russia. Abramov does not need to be sheltered, he can start in his own end and regardless of who his opposition is, if he gets the puck he can keep it away from anyone and transition it up the ice.

The final thing with Abramov is how he continually gets himself into the best areas of the ice to score. His hands are terrific and he can stickhandle through anyone and gets himself right into the slot more often than not. In all situations he has 17 high danger shots, tied for 10th in the QMJHL. He's scored six of his 16 goals from high danger, second in the league. The QMJHL league website has him with 69 dangerous shots which ranks ninth.

The big contenders for Gold this year, Canada, USA, Sweden, and Finland, all look to have incredible defence units this season, the latter two in particular. Goals are going to be tough to come by in the medal round. Those teams are going to do everything they can to keep the puck out of their end and keep players out of the slot. Abramov gives Russia a player who can both gain the zone efficiently and consistently get to the dangerous areas of the ice.

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