Photo credit: RG
Alexander Zharovsky’s start to the season in the KHL has been nothing short of exceptional with Salavat Yulaev.
It’s very encouraging for Montreal Canadiens fans. The young forward was selected by the Canadiens 34th overall in the most recent draft, and he could turn out to be a real steal given where he was picked.
That said, his production places him among the top rookies in the KHL, and Bob Hartley, who coaches Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, had more to say about him.
Bob Hartley weighs in on a great acquisition by Kent Hughes for the Montreal Canadiens with Alexander Zharovsky
“We faced him twice, including once very recently, and unlike Demidov, Zharovsky is on a team where the budget (which comes from the government) has been cut. Salavat still let some very good veterans go.
Zharovsky is somewhat the leader of his team despite his young age.”
– Bob Hartley
Later in the interview, the Stanley Cup winner with the Avalanche in 2002 even mentioned that his style of play resembles that of a certain Ivan Demidov.
It’s no surprise the Ivan Demidov comparison keeps coming up. With 49 points in 65 KHL games, the benchmark is clear-and Zharovsky already has 28 points in 31 games at only 18 years old.
Let’s just say these are very promising comments for Montreal Canadiens fans, and one can hope that both young players (who are also compatriots) will be reunited in Montreal as soon as possible.
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics