Prospect Scouting Report – Yaroslav Bogatyrev

[Bojovnik 487]

 

 

Yaroslav Bogatyev – Russia’s Next Great Hope

 

Age: 21

Position: RW

Height: 6’6’’

Weight: 220lbs

Born: Nizhniy Tagil, Russia

Junior Teams: Sputnik Nizhniy Tagil, Dynamo Khmiki, Torpedo Magnitogorsk, Buran Chelyabinsk

VHLM: Houston Bulls (GP: 28 | G: 3 | A: 7 | P: 10 | +11 | SHT: 42 | HIT: 41)

VHLE: Cologne Express (No games played)

 

Enter the next big thing from Russia. And we’re not just talking about his frame. Yaroslav Bogatyrev is a big-bodied Russian forward who is set to be one of the top picks in the upcoming VHL S86 Entry Draft.

 

He is set to begin what many think will be his only campaign in the VHLE with the Cologne Express in S85, and while we may be a long way away from the draft, VHL Scouting Services wanted to give their take on a player we think that many will be hearing about down the line.

 

Overall Prospect Rating: A-

 

Skating: B+

Shot: A

Puckhandling: A

Offensive Vision: A

Hockey IQ: A+

Defensive Play: B

Compete: C+

 

Let’s start with the positives. Bogatyrev comes from a long, storied line of highly skilled Russian forwards. His puckhandlng skills, skating, and shot (both on the rush and his onetimer) are all elite. There is no doubt among our scout’s eyes that Bogatyrev will put up points at the top level.

 

He also is blessed with elite offensive vision, which allows him to make plays that others simply won’t see. On the flipside, it is fair to say that Bogatyrev is a high risk, high reward player. He can make the gamebreaking plays, but he is also prone to turning over the puck in dangerous areas, which can lead to goals against.

 

Yes, he struggled to score consistently in the VHLM, but many have put that down to Bogatyrev’s abrupt move away from home. It’s difficult to underestimate the personal upheaval that comes with a move from Russia to Texas, and this was reflected in his play.

 

We saw what Bogatyrev can provide in the recent Junior Showcase Tournament, where he was by far the top scorer on a Steel team that was eliminated in the first playoff round.

 

Now onto the negatives. Bogatyrev on the defensive side of the puck is fine, nothing more. It is clear that he doesn’t enjoy the defensive part of the game, and it will take a diligent effort on the part of any coach to give him the foundation he will need to play in the VHL.

 

The primary question about Bogatyrev’s game is his compete level. The simple matter of fact is that Bogatyrev goes all out if a play is going towards the opponent’s goal. When it comes to the neutral zone and defensive zone, however, he can often be found lacking. He has a tendency to float at times, and can go through spells during a game where, in all honesty, he does nothing.

 

Bogatyrev isn’t the finished product, but there is a lot to like. He is a mercurial talent who will likely thrill and frustrate in equal amounts. Whether these flaws will hurt his draft stock remains to be seen, but we predict that Bogatyrev will be a lottery pick in the S86 VHL Entry Draft.

 

 

 

 

Edited September 1, 2022 by Bojovnik