48 Ukrainians on extended 2018-2019 NHL rosters
The Calgary Flames’ organizational chart boasted five players of Ukrainian descent, ranking them first in the National Hockey League for the 2018-2019 campaign. Six clubs listed three Ukrainians each on their combined parent, prospect and minor league affiliate player rosters: Boston, Florida, Montreal, New York Islanders, Philadelphia and St. Louis. Seven teams had a pair of Ukes, another dozen claimed one, while five organizations had no Ukrainians in their player system.
An examination of the 48 Ukrainians by position reveals two goaltenders, 17 defensemen and 29 forwards.
The most popular first names these days are Scott, Zach and Brett, two each among the 48.
There are eight “second-generation” Ukrainian hockey players – sons of ex-National Hockey League players, including a pair of Tkachuks (Matthew and Brady).
Our 48 native sons have been broken down into three categories: NHL players, bona fide prospects and career minor leaguers. Below is an assessment of some key Ukrainian players with 2017-2018 final scoring totals in parentheses.
MATTHEW TKACHUK – He has all of the requisite abilities to be a future Flames superstar and parallel the achievements of father Keith. He must avoid injuries, continue the maturation process and not be goaded into unnecessary penalties. Expect a significant increase in his scoring totals (68GP-24G-25A-49PTS-61PIM) in his third year thanks to respect earned around the circuit and better team depth at forward. (Watch for a Matthew Tkachuk feature article on these pages in a future upcoming issue.)
DEVAN DUBNYK – His performance in net will dictate the Wild’s success in the standings. He did not meet his All-Star/Vezina Trophy contender status in 2017-2018 (60G, 35-16-7, 2.52, .915, 5SO), playing great at home (22-4-6), but disappointing on the road. The club cleaned house in upper management, yet chose not to change player mix.
TYLER BOZAK – Toronto’s influx of young centers along with the John Tavares signing meant an exodus for the long-tenured Bozak (81-11-32-43-28). The Blues were happy to add him as a strong, third-line center, excellent face-off man and stalwart defensive forward. He is being counted on to be an important contributor on and off the ice as part of an overhauled group up front.
TRAVIS ZAJAC – The Devils are praying he still has a little something left in his tank. The now 33-year-old No. 3 center has been hampered by injuries the last several years. A rejuvenated Zajac (63-12-14-26-25) would make league MVP Taylor Hall even more effective.
JOHHNY BOYCHUK – Another Ukrainian whose time on the ice was quite limited by physical ailments. This defensive mainstay (58-6-12-18-30) must justify his $6 million annual salary with double-digits goals, 50-plus points and potent presence on power play and penalty killing units.
NOLAN PATRICK – The second overall pick in the 2017 draft will take a major step in upward trajectory now that he’s recovered from sports hernia surgery and an unrelated abdominal injury from his 2016-2017 junior season. This rookie came on strong in second half last year (73-13-17-30-30), teasing the Flyers with potential future stardom.
MARK PYSYK – He has quietly established himself as a top-four rearguard (82-3-13-16-20) on a Florida squad which just missed the playoffs in 2017-2018. The organization touts stability as its main theme, and Pysyk perfectly exemplifies this quality on defense.
COLTON PARAYKO – His average time on ice per game was a Blues second-best 22.37 minutes, which shows his importance to the team’s blueline. His production was down (82-6-29-35-13), and the hope is his booming slapshot will find the net more often, especially with the time he receives on the power play.
CALE MAKAR – Colorado’s top prospect is 19 years old, coming off a tremendous showing at the World Juniors with Team Canada. He’s referred to as a dynamic defenseman who has been entrusted with a meaty role at the University of Massachusetts in Hockey East. He’s projected to be in the NHL in 2019-2020.
KIEFFER BELLOWS – Brian’s son is this close to sticking with the parent New York Islanders. The 20-year-old power forward with leadership skills wants the puck in pressure situations. He has shown a solid overall game and is starting 2018-2019 in Bridgeport (AHL). In his final junior season with Portland (WHL), he notched 41G, 33A, 74PTS with 63 PIM in 56 games.
BRADY TKACHUK – Originally thought to be a year away from active NHL duty, Keith’s younger son stuck with the main club coming out of training camp as Ottawa undertakes a total makeover under owner Eugene Melnyk. Brady is wearing his father’s No. 7 jersey number and should have no problems forging a long, successful NHL career much like brother Matthew. He’s tough, mature and already tested in last-minute situations. At Boston University last season he scored 8-23-31-61PIM in 40 games.
Ukrainian Utterings: Prior to the opening face-off of the 2018-2019 campaign, Boston released forwards Lee Stempniak and Daniel Winnik from its tryout deals. Calgary traded spare defenseman Brett Kulak to Montreal, who assigned him to Laval (AHL). The Kieffer Bellows assignment to Bridgeport (AHL) was a surprise move, most pundits expecting him to start with the Isles. Fellow Flames teammates selected Matthew Tkachuk as a rotating alternate captain for this season. Curtis Lazar passed through waivers, started year with Calgary, then was assigned to Stockton (AHL). Since January 15, 2015, goalie Devan Dubnyk leads the NHL with 231 games played and 20 shutouts. He’s top-three in wins, GAA and save percentage. Free agent Winnik signed with pro club in Switzerland. Brady Tkachuk scored his first two NHL goals and had three points in October 10 loss to Philadelphia.
Here is the entire list of Ukrainian professional hockey players who appeared on NHL organizational rosters prior to the start of the 2018-2019 season.
Ihor Stelmach may be reached at [email protected].