IceMen Sign Two Russian Standouts
Published on December 9, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Evansville IceMen News Release
EVANSVILLE, IN.--- Approaching their most critical and pivotal point of their inaugural campaign as a AA member of the Central Hockey League, the Evansville IceMen are effecting some significant roster alterations for this weekend and beyond.
Under the direction of General Manager/Coach Rich Kromm, the IceMen have announced on this date the acquisitions of two standout performers of the AAHL with both having stellar stock from Russia. The newest members of the IceMen are left wing ANTON KHARIN and defenseman PAVEL ZAYTHEV with both newcomers set to make their Evansville debuts this weekend when the IceMen conclude an extended four-game home stand by hosting the reigning CHL league kingpins, the Rapid City Rush. After this weekend, the IceMen will be facing the daunting assignment of an extended stint abroad, including a 6-game road journey and 10 of their next 11-games away from home bay.
KHARIN (hah-REEN), 25, is presently in his third pro season, having most recently plied his craft in the AAHL with the Indiana Blizzard. In his one and only outing with the latter squad, he fired a pair of goals including one of those on the power play. The 5-11, 185lb fleet forward actually commenced the current campaign in the ECHL with the Greenville Road Warriors 3(1-0-1) 2-PIM before casting his lot in the CHL with the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees 3(0-0-0) 0-PIM.
In the 2009-10 season, Kharin was off to a superlative start in the ECHL with the Kalamazoo Wings, collecting 9-points in 7-games on 2-goals, 7-assists before sustaining a season-ending knee injury. He originally turned pro late in the 2008-09 season when he was signed right off the campus of R.I.T. (Rochester Tech) by the IHL Muskegon Lumberjacks. The Russian import achieved a most auspicious pro premiere in Muskegon where his father, Sergei, starred for 5-years from 1996-2001. In 10-games with the Lumberjacks, he collected 15-points on 5-goals, 10-assists with 2-PIM and extraordinary +10 rating. Despite his late season short stint there, Kharin was acclaimed both IHL Player of the Week and IHL Player of the Month.
Anton Kharin comes from some true, consummate hockey pedigree as his father, Sergei Kharin, was an elite player in the old Soviet Union, playing for that country's National Team and Gold Medal Olympics Team in Calgary in 1988. He also played in the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets.
ZAYTHEV (ZYE-chev), 22, is currently playing in his first-ever season in the professional ranks. The 22-year-old right-hand shooting defenseman has also been under the employ of the Indiana Blizzard team so far this season. In 11-games this season, the native of Chelybinsk, Russia has earned 2-assists; 11(0-2-2) with 15-PIM. Zaythev is 6-1 185lb.
In another player move and development, the IceMen have placed right wing JOHN DIPACE on the injured reserve list. The 28-year-old, 8-year veteran has been slowed recently with a nagging ailment. In 21-games thus far this season, "Johnny D." has engineered 11-points on 3-goals, 8-assists with 35-PIM. His season output has included 1-PPG, 3-PPA, 1-SHG and 58-SOG.
Both IceMen newcomers, Anton Kharin and Pavel Zaythev will make their Evansville debuts this weekend when the IceMen guest the reigning CHL Champions Rapid City Rush in a two-game series which will cap the club's current 4-game home stand. The IceMen/Rush clashes are on the docket for 7:30 pm both Friday and Saturday nights at Swonder Ice Arena. The IceMen organization is conducting a holiday season Canned Food Drive for both games while Saturday night has been designated as "Ladies Night" with 5-lucky ladies winning special prizes and the IceMen players conducting a "ladies only" mini-clinic immediately following the game.
Central Hockey League Stories from December 9, 2010
- Dayton Falls to Rapid City 5-2 - Dayton Gems
- Away Game Watch Party with the RiverKings - Mississippi RiverKings
- IceMen Sign Two Russian Standouts - Evansville IceMen
- Bucks Look to Stay Hot Friday - Laredo Bucks
- 'Dogs and the Salvation Army 'Doing the Most Good' this Holiday Season - Arizona Sundogs
- Texas Stars Recall Goaltender Lemay from Allen - Allen Americans
- Bonk Recalled by OKC - Allen Americans
- Bloomington PrairieThunder Weekend Preview - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Bucks Insider Replay Saturday on Fox 39 - Laredo Bucks
- Weekend Preview - Rapid City - Dayton Gems
- RiverKings Upcoming Events - Mississippi RiverKings
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