Rubinchik ‘super excited’ he could be pro prospect
Mark Rubinchik isn’t begging, but he’s not at all choosy, either, when it comes to the upcoming NHL Entry Draft.
“I’ll be really happy to be drafted by any team,” says Rubinchik, an import defenceman from Russia on the Western Hockey League’s Saskatoon Blades.
“I’m super excited, though. I really hope that some NHL team has trust in me and picks me.”
Rubinchik is spending the offseason in the Moscow area. He heads into this year’s NHL Draft rated No. 140 among North American skaters in the NHL Scouting final rankings.
“Actually, I haven’t talked to any of the teams except for I kind of had a conversation with Chicago (Blackhawks) and Toronto (Maple Leafs),” says Rubinchik. “Other than that, I didn’t talk to anyone. It’s just exciting. Any other team can pick or maybe no one will pick me. It’s all about possibilities.”
Over in Russia, Rubinchik says he won’t be able to watch the draft unfold on television.
“They don’t show it on TV here,” he points out. “Last year, I was watching the draft just on my computer because a couple of my friends got drafted. Maybe I’ll follow it just like I did last year on my computer.”
The affable Russian is represented by high-profile and sometimes controversial agent Mark Gandler of International Sports Advisors.
“My agent offered to go to Chicago for the draft but, since I’m not going very high, I decided not to,” said Rubinchik, adding that he’ll just stay home and work on his game, so he’s not just sitting there, waiting for his name to be picked.
The 6-foot, 181-pound hard-hitting blueliner is coming off his first season with the Blades, collecting 23 assists in 54 games. NHL Scouting had Rubinchik listed and on their radar throughout the season even though the Russian thinks he didn’t play up to his potential as a rookie.
“I still think I should have been ranked higher because I just under-performed with the Blades. That’s just my opinion. I think I’ll do better next year.”
Rubinchik is busy training back in Russia with mostly gym sessions.
“It’s kind of hard to find ice this time of the year in Russia and Moscow,” he points out.
“Sometimes I can skate, but not too much. Usually, it’s workouts four times a week and as much ice possible as I can get.”
Earlier this spring, Rubinchik attended his first Russia under-20 national team camp following prior under-18 experience.
“So this was the first time meeting the head coach ( Valeri Bragin) of U-20. I’m real excited to work with him and see if he trusts me. Maybe I’ll get a chance to prove myself and go to the world juniors next year.”
Rubinchik is optimistic about his own future and that of the Blades, given the good young nucleus of talent that is building up.
“I’m super excited,” he said. “It’s possible for me to be so much better than last year and the whole team, I think, is ready to make that step into the playoffs and actually compete in the playoffs.”
He’ll return to Saskatoon in late August. Any need to acclimatize is a thing of the past.
“Last year, I came a little earlier to settle in to make everything was all right,” noted Rubinchik. “This time, I’m going to come a little bit later because I know everything is perfect there and I really enjoy my time with the Blades.”