Skorohod Joins Mallards for 2004-05
September 1, 2004 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Quad City Mallards News Release
Moline, IL-Quad City Mallards President and General Manager Howard Cornfield today announced the signing of rookie defenseman Alexander Skorohod (score-o-hod). Skorohod joins the Mallards after spending the 2003-04 season with Soko Kiev in the Eastern European League.
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound defenseman has made a name for himself in hockey circles on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Literally translated from Ukrainian, Skorohod's last name means "fast moving object". Last season, the 21-year old Ukrainian participated in the Eastern European League's All-Star Game representing Soko Kiev. On the year, Skorohod had a pair of goals and six assists for eight points in 26 games on the Soko Kiev blueline.
Prior to joining Soko Kiev, Skorohod played two seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Mississauga Ice Dogs and the London Knights. Skorohod recorded 53 points (18 goals and 35 assists) in 156 OHL games. He played under former NHL coaches Don Cherry and Steve Ludzik with the Ice Dogs.
Cherry, who is also a popular and controversial Canadian television commentator, holds Skorohod in very high esteem even though he is outspoken against the European influence in North American hockey. "Alex Skorohod is, without a doubt, one of the hardest working players I have ever coached," said Cherry, who coached the Boston Bruins to back-to-back appearances in the Stanley Cup Finals in the late 1970s. "He was the first guy on the ice each day, and the last guy to leave. He's got a great shot from the point and can really quarterback a power play. This kid has the heart of a lion, and that's a tough thing for me to say about any European, but it's true."
"Don Cherry does not give rave reviews about any European players-except Alexander," said Cornfield. "The reports on him are that he hits like a truck and competes hard every night. That's all I needed to hear. We expect him to be a solid rookie for us."
The Mallards begin the home portion of their tenth anniversary season in just 64 days on October 30th vs. Kansas City at The MARK of the Quad Cities. Season tickets are available via the Mallards ticket office at (309) 764-7825. For the latest Mallards news and ticket information, visit www.qcmallards.com.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from September 1, 2004
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- Skorohod Joins Mallards for 2004-05 - Quad City Mallards
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