Rookie Sedov has already piqued NHL’S interest
Pats defenceman has rough start to first WHL season but vows to ‘work harder’
Things are moving rather quickly for Regina Pats defenceman Nikita Sedov.
The rookie import is only four regular-season games into his WHL career and he’s already on the radar for the 2019 NHL draft. He was named a ‘C’ prospect — Rounds 4 to 6 — in Central Scouting ’s preliminary list of players to watch for next year’s draft.
“I wasn’t expecting to be on that list,” offered Sedov, 17, who speaks excellent English. “I just saw my name on it and I was like, ‘All right, cool.’ It makes you want to be on that list higher — be a better player.”
The Pats were cautiously optimistic Sedov would prove to be a steal when they chose him in the second round of the 2018 CHL import draft. Their optimism grew when he and forward Sergei Alkhimov — Regina’s first-round import pick — were both named to Russia’s under-18 team for the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August.
“Those Russian players, they have good puck skills, they have good poise, their composure is really good,” noted Pats head coach Dave Struch. “Nikita is that guy. His assets are going to (emerge) over time when he learns how to read and react to certain pressures, especially against those good teams in making quicker plays. That just comes with experience.” And practise.
“We try to mimic it as much as we can so he can read and learn from it,” continued Struch. “The video sessions that we have with him are going to be important. He spends a lot of time wanting to get better, which is probably the biggest thing. In the end he’s going to move up as a player.”
Sedov may be new to the WHL but he understands that draft rankings in October bring zero guarantees. That’s why he remains focused on continuing to improve so he’ll be on the NHL radar when it counts.
“It feels nice but it doesn’t really mean anything (right now),” said Sedov, who has no points and a minus-three rating after four regular-season games.
“I had a tough start in the season — didn’t do anything like what I actually wanted. I’m just trying to find my game. I have to work harder and play my game every single game.”
Sedov was Regina’s top scorer in exhibition play with seven points (two of them goals) in five games.
However, it didn’t take long to realize that the level of play rises when the real games begin.
“I have to learn more, obviously,” he said. “So far I think it’s a good league to play (in).
“It was kind of hard at the beginning (to adjust) but I’m getting used to it. Every single period I feel more confident.”
Sedov is no stranger to the North American game after spending the past three years at Colorado Evolution Elite Hockey Academy.
That said, it’s a huge jump from the U.S. midget level to the Canadian major-junior ranks.
Upon arriving in Regina, Sedov immediately felt his biggest challenge was the pace of the game. That proved to be the case as he adjusted to having less time and space to make plays with the puck.
The Russian rookie believes he’s making progress, but there’s still a lot of work to do if he wants to hear his named called at the 2019 NHL draft.
“I have to get used to the speed and everything,” he said. “(There are) better players in this league — really good players. I’ve gotta work on things like speed and my quickness, puck movement and everything. I’m pretty sure it’s going to help me a lot with my future.” NOTE: The Kelowna Rockets were named Wednesday as the host team for the 2020 Memorial Cup, beating out the Kamloops Blazers and Lethbridge Hurricanes. Regina hosted the 100th Memorial Cup tournament in May.