Yaroslav Bogatyrev – Junior Review

[Bojovnik 487]

 

 

A new Russian star has entered the chat.

 

Introducing Yaroslav Bogatyrev, one of the most promising hockey players to come out of Russia over the last decade.

 

The young prospect announced his intention to play in the VHL on Monday after signing with the Houston Bulls, a minor league team in the VHLM.

 

Bogatyrev is a 6’6’’ winger weighing in at 220lbs. However, despite his size, the Nizhnii Tagil native is in fact known more for his skill. He “skates well for a big man”, but he also has the hands to match, finding the back of the net in close, and also with his one timer on the off wing.

 

He began his junior career at the age of 4 in his hometown, playing for Sputnik. During in-age competition, Bogatyrev’s size allowed him to dominate the competition, and he frequently found himself playing up an age group.

In his U12 season, Bogatyrev got onto the national team radar when he was invited to numerous development camps in Moscow and St. Petersburg. It was from there that Bogatyrev would leave the Urals region and move to the Russian capital, where he signed with Dynamo’s junior system.

 

The move to the capital led to Bogatyrev getting greater attention, and at the age of 15, he was once again on the move. This time, he would leave the Russian capital and head to one of Russia’s hockey powerhouses, Magnitogorsk.

 

He signed with the Metallurg team and led his team to two Molodezhnaya Hokkeynaya Liga titles on the trot, being named Playoff MVP in his U17 season with 15 goals in 14 games.

 

At this age, Bogatyrev then graduated to Russia’s second professional tier, where he was loaned out to Buran Chelyabinsk. In his first season playing against men, Bogatyrev continued to impress, although he struggled to match his scoring pace in the juniors. Nevertheless, a 20-goal season put Bogatyrev on the radar of several Russian Superliga teams.

 

Bogatyrev in action last season

 

That makes it all the more shocking that Bogatyrev decided to move back into the minor leagues and sign with Houston. Despite seemingly having the Russian hockey space at his feet, Bogatyrev joined a growing list of Russian hockey players looking to make their name on the global stage.

 

Despite his flashy game, Bogatyrev has previously cut a quiet figure when it comes to his media appearances, so little is known about his personality. Given his abrupt decision to leave Russia, many of his previous coaches refused to give their views on the player.

 

That being said, Yaroslav Bogatyrev is out to impress. And with his pedigree, you’d better be paying attention.