2015 NHL Draft: Red Wings select Evgeny Svechnikov in first round

By @MichaelCaples –

Last year, the Red Wings picked a kid from Waterford with their first-round pick.

This year, they took a kid from Russia.

The Red Wings selected Evgeny Svechnikov with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.

Svechnikov, 18, played for the Cape breton Screaming Eagles of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League last year, getting a headstart on adapting to North American hockey. He recorded 32 goals and 46 assists in 78 games with the Screaming Eagles.

“It was very important,” Svechnikov said of coming to North America, via the Wings’ Periscope channel. “For me, it’s a huge step for NHL. I wanted to come here the year before, but couldn’t…it’s very important for me because I want to play in the NHL, that’s why.”

When asked on the official NHL Draft show on NBCSN about whether he would play for the Red Wings immediately – analysts have said Svechnikov could be NHL ready immediately – Red Wings GM Ken Holland said he will have a shot.

“Well we’ll bring him to training camp and we’ll give him an opportunity. We’ve got some other young forwards – Dylan Larkin, we’re hoping is going to compete for a spot, so hopefully we’re putting together a group of forwards that over the next couple of years are really going to form a nucleus of forwards that we’ll have for a number of years.”

Svechnikov, who was born in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk but lists his hometown as Kazan, was ranked No. 17 overall for North American skaters by Central Scouting.

“He proved to be a very skilled skater, strong on the puck and a player capable of doing a lot of things well,” said NHL Central Scouting’s Troy Dumville. “He plays a physical game, doesn’t back away, is aggressive on the forecheck and finishes checks.”

“I just want to make my dream,” Svechnikov said in regards to his time in Cape Breton. “…that’s why I came here to play in Canada. I just appreciate it, appreciate it every day in Cape Breton and especially that place because everybody do all stuff for me… Just really happy to be there and make my dream to this point.”

Svechnikov said his favorite NHL player is Pittsburgh star Evgeni Malkin. When told he has been compared to him before, he said “it’s a good feeling.”

Prior to coming to North America, Svechnikov played for Ak Bars Kazan in Russia. He played in three games with the pro club in the KHL, while posting 27 points and 68 penalty minutes for their junior team.