Cosentino on CHL: The name game

Six thirty comes early, but with the clocks having been turned back, it allows for an extra hour in the sack. But like most people, you probably wake up on this weekend every year wondering if everyone else has turned their clocks back. It’s exactly what I was thinking in terms of making it to the Russian practice this morning.

They arrive right on time, and immediately we’re there to greet head coach Valery Bragin. Our official translator is Alexander Leshchik, who is better known as Sasha. He’s been with us on the Subway Super Series for the last three years, and is instrumental in helping us become familiar with the team. Not only that, but he has a good rapport with the Russian staff and he’s able to relate well to coach Bragin.

Day 1 is always tough; the players don’t have names on their sweaters, while only some of them have helmet numbers for identification. We begin the process by checking the height and weight of the player, see which way he shoots (the Russians have only two right shots, and they both play on the same line), try to remember who he played with in past international events and then try and identify who’s who. To be honest with you, it takes a practice, a morning skate, a game and one more morning skate before you can identify each player.

R.J. Broadhead and I were aided today by Valery Knyazev, whose self-taught English is the third of three languages he speaks. Knyazev played 10 games during the 2009-10 season with Brampton, so I’m vaguely familiar with him. Knyazev is an interesting story as he grew up in the Czech Republic after the age of six, but steadfastly pronounces his love for the Russian flag. This is his first ever attempt at playing on the national team. You’ll learn more about him throughout the course of the series.

After a brief stop at our broadcast location inside Colisee Desjardins in Victoriaville, Que., R.J., Terry Baak and I head out for lunch. Rob Faulds meets us at the hotel and we all agree to reconvene for dinner in the evening. In the meantime, I head back to the room and start dialing OHL coaches to get a read on some of the players we will see in the OHL portion of the series.

Kitchener coach Steve Spott informs me that Team Canada head coach Don Hay called him earlier in the day to check on the status of first round pick Ryan Murphy. He will not play in the series and it is unknown as to how long he will be out. That would be a big blow to Hockey Canada, already without Sean Couturier, Brett Connolly, Ryan Johansen and Erik Gudbranson.

Next I talk to Oshawa Generals head coach Chris DePiero, whose team has been hurt by suspensions and has struggled to find consistency in the early going. I leave a message with Sudbury’s Trent Cull, Sarnia’s Jacques Beaulieu texts me to say he’ll call later. Phone calls, emails, and plenty of research is done in order to deliver the best on-air product and to educate hockey fans on the great stories surrounding various CHL players.

After a little afternoon nap it’s down to the gym for a twirl on the treadmill, then back up to the room for more research and the end of the Packers game. I’m a big Green Bay fan, and I rarely get to see them play as I spend most of my Sunday afternoons in a junior rink somewhere.

We later get word we’ve been invited for a sneak-peak at the group Team QMJHL will ice versus Russia in Game 1 on Monday. We’ve been told that not only has this team been picked to give Hockey Canada a good look at world junior eligible players, but to win. Last year the Q dropped two one-goal decisions and they are looking for some revenge this time around. The always competitive Patrick Roy will serve as assistant coach to Victoriaville’s Yanick Jean in Game 1, while the two will switch places when the series shifts to Quebec for Game 2 on Wednesday.

We’ll see what the Q has to offer in tonight’s meeting, and report back to you tomorrow.