For American fans, the Russian school of hockey is a reliable supplier of star forwards and goalkeepers. But the representation of our defenders in the NHL is much more modest, and it’s not even about their number. It’s hard to find a star defense player with a Russian passport, and one who knows how to beat, pass and score is a difficult task.

However, this summer there were several events that significantly strengthened the position of the defenders from Russia. Firstly, one of the strongest teams in the league made it clear how much she appreciates Mikhail Sergachev. The defenseman’s new fat $8.5 million-a-year contract (totaling $68 million) makes him one of the highest-paid players in Tampa.

Secondly, Anaheim chose Russian shooting guard Pavel Mintyukov in the first round and signed him to a rookie contract today. Specialists praise Mintyukov and call him one of the smartest players in the draft. Surprisingly, before the Russian was not an attacking defender and could not boast of high performance. He was helped by theoretical classes and … chess.

Anaheim’s Surprise Choice

The choice of Anaheim in favor of Mintyukov surprised all the fans. The “Ducks” generally quite rarely chose the Russians in the first round – the last time such an honor was awarded to Stanislav Chistov in 2001. In addition, the defender received the jersey of the new team before compatriots Danila Yurov and Ivan Miroshnichenko, who were quoted higher in the scout ratings.

However, in Anaheim, they could not get past the shooting guard with high performance. Season 2021/2022 Mintyukov spent OHL, where in 67 games he scored 62 points (17 + 45) – the third place among the league’s defenders. In addition to his bombarding qualities, he is also remarkable for his dimensions – with a height of 185 cm, the Russian weighs 87 kg. According to experts, this combination will allow Mintyukov to become the defender of the top pair and loudly declare himself in the NHL.

Surprisingly, the past season was the best in the career of a young hockey player. Mintyukov did not have such performance even at a sports school. The sharp transformation into an attacking defender was due to daily work on himself.

From homebody to shooting guard through chess

Mintyukov is a graduate of the Moscow Dynamo, but he was not destined to completely go through the entire vertical of the capital club. The defender was played for the youth team and it seemed that getting into the main team was only a matter of time. However, Dynamo took a strange step – on June 1, 2020, the Blue and White exchanged three players of the junior team, including Mintyukov, for 30-year-old Dmitry Kagarlitsky.

Pavel Mintyukov / Photo: © MHC “Dynamo”

Dynamo did not see the high potential in Mintyukov, because in the 2019/20 season for 33 matches in the youth team, he scored only three points. The player simply could not show his best qualities. Thirsty to constantly connect to attacks, the defender was constantly reminded of the game in defense.

– In the MHL, I think I was just very young. I was afraid to make a mistake. And that’s why I played more defensive hockey,” Mintyukov recalled.

Everything changed when Mintyukov went overseas and started playing for Saginaw Spirit in the OHL. The Saginaw coaching staff saw that the Russian is able to play brilliantly in attack, and not just defend the goal.

Mintyukov’s desire to join the attacks did not run counter to the team’s tactics; on the contrary, Saginaw head coach Andrew Plate only encouraged his players for this. The defender finally got into a team that suits his style, but high performance came not only because of this.

Plate even worked individually with the Russian – studying game episodes, a large amount of theory, etc. At the same time, the specialist noted that he was pleased to work with Mintyukov, because he learns quickly and has a high intellect. Also, separate time was devoted to chess. As Plate admitted, for all the time they played about 200 games, of which the coach won only two.

– He is methodical. He thinks about his moves four or five steps ahead of me,” Plate said about Mintyukov.

Will we see Mintyukov in an Anaheim jersey soon?

A huge amount of theory brought results already in the second season in the OHL. Mintyukov was even called one of the smartest players in the 2022 draft. Therefore, it is not surprising that Anaheim decided to take a talented player, and Pavel himself became the third defenseman from Russia in the 21st century to enter the top 10 of the NHL draft.

Now, after signing a rookie contract with Anaheim, the Russian is waiting for a training camp. And his future next season will depend on how he shows himself against the background of other Ducks defenders. So far, everything is going perfectly for Mintyukov, and in Anaheim they are constantly praising his playing abilities.

Pavel Mintyukov / Photo: © Minas Panagiotakis / Stringer / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

However, many experts note that often the defender flirts in attack and loses position. Defensively problems like this could send Mintyukov to the AHL or even back to the OHL. In addition, he will have to win competition from other young defenders: Jamie Drysdale and Olen Zellweger, who are also in good standing at the club.

And even if Mintyukov still does not get a chance to prove himself in the NHL in the upcoming season, then there is no doubt that this will happen soon.