Igor "Ледяной Призрак" Sokolov Biography.

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Igor "Ледяной Призрак" the Glacial Ghost Sokolov

 

 Igor Sokolov was born on December 25, 2001, in Vorkuta, Russia, to a single mother named Katerina Sokolov. He grew up in what is called one of the most depressing towns in Russia due to the cold climate and the falling population. What was once a booming coal mining city turned into a dark, depressing city in just a matter of years. Igor grew up in a very poor household, with his mother finding it almost impossible to find a job. Life was really hard, and while growing up, Igor knew he would have to do something to help his mother make it out of this city. Life was hard for Igor, and growing up, he was already feeling the effects of being in such a small town. One thing that Igor's mom would do to keep him happy was to put hockey games on the radio. They could not afford a TV, so Igor would have to use his imagination and visualize what was happening in the games. He fell in love with the game of hockey without even watching a game. Katerina knew she had to do everything she could to get Igor on the ice to help make his dream come true. She took a big risk and moved them to the big city of Moscow. Little did she know, this would be the greatest decision for both Katerina and Igor.

 

The Start of Ледяной Призрак

 

When Katerina moved to Moscow with Igor, she knew she had to get him on the ice. Igor was six years old when they moved to Moscow. Igor started to learn how to skate on a pond near their new house. He was not the best skater to start, but he never gave up. Igor would start to visualize like he did when he was listening to the radio, and he started to skate better and better every day. Igor would practice every day after school, knowing he could be great. He loved the game of hockey, and he loved skating, so he knew that when he was older he had to be a hockey player.. He needed to be a hockey player... Igor started to play organized hockey that year. It was like he was in a league of his own. The way he could just sneak by and disappear from the defenseman's eyesight and sneak by and get a quick goal. Igor loved that he was having fun and that he was good at what he loved to do. Igor kept playing every year until it was time to play high school hockey and take it up a notch. Katerina got a really good real estate job when she moved to Moscow so Igor could go to a nice high school that had a top-notch Hockey program in it. Igor played for a team called the "Moscow Mustangs." He was the star player of the team. He would put the most hours in the gym, on the ice, and in the film room. Igor was dedicated, and it started to get him noticed on his high school team. Igor got so noticed that the OHL wanted him to come over and play to help improve his game. Igor had to have a huge conversation with his mom, Katerina, about this move, and she supported him one hundred percent. She saw her little boy, who used to pretend to play hockey, and now he has the opportunity to be the next big thing. She told him to get on over to Canada and to do his best. Good luck, Ледяной Призрак she said as he hopped on the plane headed to Canada.

 

Hockey Career leading up to the VHLM 

 

Igor signed a one-year deal with the Kingston Frotenacs, accomplishing his dream of playing some real hockey. This was a huge change of pace. Igor was finally playing with players that were his skill level and better. This was a huge first test and a different pace than what he was used to back in Russia. Igor struggled, but he would push and push to compete with these high-level players who had been playing and skating since they could walk. Igor started to find his stride and gain more and more confidence on the ice. He would shoot more, throw the body, and do everything he needed to be a complete player. Igor was ready to be the man the coach calls upon when the team needs something special. Igor had 12 goals and 13 apples in 34 games his first year, which earned him an extension to the Frontenacs the following season. Igor took a massive step forward, using his lightning-fast speed, super high hockey IQ, and rocket of a shot. The fans of Kingston started calling him The Glacial Ghost.  Igor finished with 41 goals and 23 apples in 50 games played. Igor took his options and is ready to declare for the VHLM draft. 

 

 

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