Russian ready to rebound with Rangers
Alexey Lipanov gives Blueshirts another responsible two-way centre
KITCHENER — Alexey Lipanov is beginning to feel at home.
“I like it,” said the blond-haired Russian as he glanced around the Aud Friday morning.
And feeling comfortable is a big thing for the Moscow native.
By his own admission the Tampa Bay Lightning prospect didn’t have the best rookie season in the Ontario Hockey League. It started out well.
The centre put up 30 points across 35 games with the eastern conference contending Barrie Colts but then faded down the stretch with nine points over his final 20 tilts.
“I didn’t make the world juniors with Russia,” he said. “Then I got traded to Sudbury. It’s not my country, not my language. It was hard to change teams. I think that is why I struggled.”
The 19-year-old was hoping to turn the page at the pro level. But the Bolts want their 2017 third round draft pick to get another year of seasoning in junior before making the leap.
So, the two-way pivot, who models his game after Chicago Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews, is back in the OHL with another new team.
Kitchener acquired Lipanov from Sudbury for two third round draft picks this past Thursday. The Wolves needed to shed an import player and the Rangers had an open slot after their guy — defenceman Axel Andersson, whom the Boston Bruins took in the second round of the 2018 NHL draft — decided to play in his native Sweden.
“I think he fits into the way we play,” Rangers head coach Jay McKee said. “We play fast, competitive, tenacious on pucks and that’s what he is. He’s a guy that’s going to come in and bring some responsibility down the middle.”
In a funny twist, McKee also played his junior hockey in Sudbury and had the same billet and slept in the same bedroom as the Russian 25 years ago.
“It’s a nice connection,” said Lipanov, who will wear No. 10.
The newcomer cannot play or practise with the Blueshirts until his International Ice Hockey Federation transfer papers to go through. When he is cleared, which should take about a week or so, he’ll join Dallas Stars draft pick Riley Damiani and veteran Greg Meireles to give the Rangers three centres that can play both sides of the puck.
“My first goal is to play hard and help the team,” said Lipanov. “My second is to make the world juniors.”