The Moncton Wildcats announced on Tuesday that they had signed Maxim Barbashev, a Russian forward with Atlant Mytishchi U17. Barbashev was selected with the 50th overall pick in the CHL Import Draft this past spring.
tallied 19 points in 19 games with Atlant, while also serving as an assistant captain. He was called up to the U18 team, and contributed seven points across five games. In six playoff games with the U18 squad, he added another seven points.
Last season, Barbashev played with Atlant Mytishchi U16, and notched 22 points in 30 games played.
Barbashev is the younger brother of Wildcats alumnus Ivan Barbashev.
“I like the combination of skills and high compete level I saw in the games I’ve watched,” said Moncton head coach Dan Lacroix. “He’s young and eager and wants to be a hockey player. He seems committed to making that happen.”
Meanwhile in the OHL, the Saginaw Spirit inked defenseman Pavel Mintyukov to a standard player agreement. Mintyukov was the first-round pick, 52nd overall, for the Spirit in last week’s CHL Import Draft.
“The late 2003 has good size,” said NZ scouts at the World Selects Invite. “Showed speed to avoid the rush and hit to defend. Knocked players down in space. Passes are crisp and he sees the whole ice. Can make the simple outlet or zip a pass further up ice. Stayed behind the puck as he is not overly skilled. Smart, consistent player who has lots of upside, particularly on the offensive end. Low risk/high reward player right now. Finished with 3 assists.”
Mintyukov a native of Moscow, Russia, spent last season in the MHL where he recorded 1 goal and 2 assists in 33 games. Pavel was a standout for team Russia at the World U17 Challenge last November helping lead Russia to a Gold Medal while recording 5 assists in 6 games making him the teams highest scoring defenseman.
“We are pleased and excited that we can get this deal done so quickly allowing us to get to work right away with Pavel,” said Saginaw GM Dave Drinkill. “It also allows us to continue to build and shape this roster knowing we have him as part of our back end next season and beyond.
“As a staff we believe he will come over and after some adjustment to our league be an impactful player for us this season. He has a high-end skill set and all the tools you look for in a modern-day defenseman. Our system in Saginaw needs mobile skilled defenseman that can skate, get up in the rush, and help drive our offense. Pavel checks off all the boxes and that is why we are so excited about him, and he is equally excited to be able to play our style of hockey”
