Hounds Selected Malenkikh with 1st Pick in Import Draft

June 29, 2011 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Soo Greyhounds News Release

With their 1st pick in the CHL Import Draft (7th overall) on Wednesday morning, the Soo Greyhounds selected YEGOR MALENKIKH from Chelyabinsk, Russia.

"We did a tremendous amount of work and research on Yegor including speaking with numerous NHL clubs who had viewed Yegor in advance of the 2012 NHL Draft. Considering that he was the 4th overall selection in the KHL Draft and still wanted to come to North America, Yegor's commitment is very impressive" began Hounds GM Kyle Dubas.

The 17-year old defenseman played for the regular season champion Gazovik Tymen Urals of the Western Siberia 1994 league during the 2010-11 season. In 26 games played, the Assistant Captain had 2 goals and 11 assists to go along with an impressive +26 rating. Additionally, Yegor was part of the Russian U17 team that competed in Chicago, IL.

"Yegor adds to our very talented but young defence. We feel that after an adjustment period that Yegor will evolve into an elite defender in the Ontario Hockey League. By adding Yegor to a defensive core that already includes Ryan Sproul, Gianluca Curcuruto, & Darnell Nurse we feel very excited about the future on the blueline" continued Dubas.

Malenkikh, who stands 6'4" while weighing in at 202 pounds, is NHL draft eligible in 2012.

"Yegor is a big kid with a lot of room to add to his frame. We view him as a complete defenceman who moves the puck well in all 3 zones and uses his reach & positioning to his advantage in his own zone. He has played in the top pairing for the Russian National Team and for his age and size is a good skater" concluded the Hounds General Manager.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from June 29, 2011

• 2011 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft Results - OHL
• Attack Take Belarussian with Second Pick - Owen Sound Attack
• Generals Select Sebastian Uvira in CHL Import Draft - Oshawa Generals
• Spirit Add Skilled Russian Forward Vadim Khlopotov in CHL Import Draft - Saginaw Spirit
• Attack Take King's Prospect with First Pick - Owen Sound Attack
• Otters Select Russian Center Tkachev with 37th Pick in 2011 CHL Import Draft - Erie Otters
• Spirit Acquire Forward Michael Fine - Saginaw Spirit
• Frontenacs Move a Forward - Kingston Frontenacs
• Elsner Selected by Hounds with 34th Pick - Soo Greyhounds
• Otters Draft Maple Leafs Prospect Olden in CHL Import Draft - Erie Otters
• Colts Select Goalie In Import Draft - Barrie Colts
• Frontenacs Add Forward - Kingston Frontenacs
• Rangers Select Radek Faksa in 2011 CHL Import Draft - Kitchener Rangers
• Majors Select Kuptsov 16th Overall in the CHL Import Draft - Mississauga St. Michael's Majors
• Attack Obtain Additional First Round Pick - Owen Sound Attack
• Rangers and Attack Complete Trade - Kitchener Rangers
• Otters Receive 31st Overall Pick in CHL Import Draft from Whalers - Erie Otters
• Petes Select Slovakian Defenceman in CHL Import Draft - Peterborough Petes
• Knights Select Olli Maatta 1st Overall in the 2011 CHL Import Draft - London Knights
• Hounds Selected Malenkikh with 1st Pick in Import Draft - Soo Greyhounds

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