Uncertainty in Austria

[der meister 3,197]

While his time spent with the Vienna Capitals of the International Central European (or ICE) Hockey League did not lead to championship glory, Ukrainian-born sniper Kostyantyn Shevchenko has found the experience to be immensely rewarding on multiple levels. For one, his ability as a player has led directly to his parents being able to flee his native Ukraine and keep his father free from any fighting. Secondly, the chance to play with fully-grown adults has helped Shevchenko develop his game to the point where, rumor has it, he is planning on declaring himself eligible for the upcoming VHLM Entry Draft. The rumor, or perhaps it's simply conjecture at this point, originates from several key items.

 

Firstly, Shevchenko has reportedly been working diligently on learning English. Obviously, he speaks fluent Ukrainian, and has now lived in Austria for a handful of years and has an excellent grasp of German. If his plan was to simply stay in Austria, there would be no pressing need for him to expand his linguistic abilities beyond what he already has.

 

The Capitals celebrating a win

 

Secondly, in response to a reporter's question about what the future holds, Shevchenko was recently quoted as saying that, while he values team success, money is of utmost importance to him, at least at this point in time. While it's possible that the translation was a little rough, and perhaps more blunt than the young Ukrainian intended, the comment got some scouts around the hockey world talking. One scout called it, "Refreshingly honest," while several others voiced concerns about what they perceive as a bad attitude.

 

Finally, Shevchenko's contract is said to be expiring at the end of this season, and with the Capitals struggles in the standings, he would have his pick of the litter, so to speak, on where to play next season. While most of the conjecture at this point is simply that, his expiring contract is a known fact. The team's General Manager has admitted in the media that Shevchenko has a contract offer on the table, but as to what the youngster would choose to do, there was little he could offer.

 

So where does that leave us? At this point in time, it's hard to say. If he decides to stay in Austria for another year or two, there are pros and cons. He could, for instance, lead his team up the standings by sheer force of will and talent, but some scouts have expressed concerns that course of action could lead to some bad habits in the defensive zone. Shevchenko could also use more time in the weight room, as he is easy to get pushed off the puck and frequently comes up short in one-on-one battles. Of course, this also has its own positive, in that he is learning to move the puck quickly, whether it's a pass to a teammate or a shot on goal. As he is still a minor, however, strength and physical development, growing into and filling out his lanky frame, will go a long way toward helping him reach his maximum potential.

 

As for asking Shevchenko directly, he has publicly refused to confirm his plans moving forward, only saying that he has a lot of options and wants to do what's best for him and his family.