Let’s see your ID, Mr. Bulldog
Arthur Kaliyev has a passport that shows he’s 16
A rumour has been making the rounds in Ontario Hockey League arenas — and in the press — that Arthur Kaliyev isn’t actually 16 years old. Is it true? “No,” laughs the Hamilton Bulldogs standout. “That’s weird.”
A six-foot-two, 185-pound winger, Kaliyev was born to Russian parents on Staten Island, N.Y. on June 26, 2001. And he has the paperwork to prove it. He also has a quick, heavy and effective shot, which, coupled with a light accent (his family speaks Russian at home), helps fuel the rumblings.
His numbers might have something to do with it, too.
Going into Thursday’s game against Peterborough, Kaliyev is third in rookie scoring, and his 35 points are the most among the league’s 16-year-olds. Only one other rookie — potential first overall NHL pick Andrei Svechnikov — has matched his 21 goals.
“If I played bad they would say I’m 16 for sure,” he theorizes.
But whether Kaliyev is bad, good or the second coming of Connor McDavid is peripheral. The fact of the matter is he has proof of his age, there’s no concrete evidence to the contrary, and it’s not the type of thing that’s easy to fake. Let’s start with the Bulldogs. According to team president and general manager Steve Staios, every player is required to have a government-issued passport to play in the league. Kaliyev’s has a 2001 birthday.
“To me, it’s complete nonsense,” Staios says.
OHL vice president Ted Baker backs him up.
In the case of non-Canadians, the league relies on teams to vet birthdays and other personal details. Sure, they could lie about it — but they also must have health cards in addition to passports to play, he says, “so there are checks and balances.” Not convinced? Let’s go to Detroit. Before suiting up for the Bulldogs, Kaliyev played minor hockey for Compuware and Little Caesars — two organizations governed by the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association, which will accept nothing less than a birth certificate upon registration.
“Not a certificate of live birth, a birth certificate actually issued by the state or the county,” says vice president of youth hockey Roger Mauritho.
He also attended two national player development camps and was a member of USA Hockey’s under-17 select team last year.
“As part of that he had to show a passport,” says spokesperson Jayson Hron. His personal information now lives in the body’s national database as well.
Still, it is possible Kaliyev and his parents commissioned a counterfeit birth certificate, passport and health card years ago in an elaborate ploy to improve his standing in the OHL and in the eyes of NHL scouts. Neither Hron nor the others can disprove it.
So believe that. Or, do something a little more reasonable — that is, take Kaliyev at his word and put the rumour swirling around his age to rest.
The week ahead
At Peterborough Thursday, 7 p.m. The storyline: The Petes start the week on a six-game losing skid and are 3-11 since the holiday break. Player to watch: Nikita Korostelev leads the team with three goals and six assists in five games against the Bulldogs so far. Neat stat: Despite its recent struggles, Peterborough has a winning 14-9 record at home where it’s outscored its opponents 95-82 this season. Local connection: Matt Timms is from Waterdown and Adrien Beraldo is a Stoney Creek native
At Kitchener Friday, 7:30 p.m. The storyline: The Rangers have rocked since the trade deadline.
They have wins in six straight games and eight of their past 10. Player to watch: Kole Sherwood tallied three goals and five assists in two outings last weekend. Neat stat: At 17-0, Kitchener is the only team in the league with a perfect record when leading after the first period. Local connection: Austin McEneny is from Waterdown.
Mississauga Saturday, 7 p.m., FirstOntario Centre The storyline: The Steelheads go into their weekend three-in-three on a four-game winning streak. Player to watch: Nic Hague has goals in three of his last four games and is third in scoring among OHL defencemen. Neat stat: Mississauga is 16th in the OHL standings, yet has the second best power play in the league at 25.6 per cent. Local connection: Trent Fox is a former member of the Bulldogs.