Khudobin Stands On Guard for Russia
By Glen Erickson

KELOWNA - After a less than stellar 40-minute stint during a pre-tournament outing against Team Canada, it would appear the real Anton Khudobin has emerged at the 2006 World Junior Championships.

Since surrendering four goals in the 8-1 shellacking at Kamloops last week, Khudobin has posted a shutout (5-0) against Switzerland in another exhibition game, backstopped the powerful gold medal favorites to a 5-1 victory over Sweden and a 6-2 win over Slovakia.

“It was tough especially in the second period against Sweden as the Swedes were very good,” Khudobin said. “I had no choice, I had to stand up for my team and keep the puck out of our goal.”

“Of course I am happy because it was important for us to win the first game of the tournament.”

Khudobin, chosen by the Minnesota Wild in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, is one of only two CHL players in the Russian lineup. (Forward Alexander Radulov plays for the Quebec Remparts.) The 2006 WJC marks Khudobin’s second appearance in the global tournament and it will be his final opportunity to play internationally at the junior level. Barring a complete implosion against Latvia (tonight in Kamloops) and the Czech Republic (Dec. 31 in Kelowna) the two wins so far against Pool B opponents make the Russians a virtual lock for a spot in the medal round.

“Last year at the World Junior in North Dakota, it was much more difficult than this year,” Khudobin explained. “I was one of the youngest guys on the team playing with great players like Evgeni Malkin and Alexander Ovechkin. There were many good veteran players on the Canada and USA teams as well.”

In comparison to some of the bigger netminders at the 2006 WJC, Khudobin measures in at 5’10, 175 pounds. He relies on positioning and quick reflexes to keep pucks in front of him. He brings an important combination of experience and leadership to the current edition of Team Russia. Since the 2001-02 season, Khudobin has represented Russia at 13 international competitions.

“This year I am more confident,” Khudobin says. “It is mostly because I have been able to play in Canada before this tournament.”

Like many import players, Khudobin finds himself enduring the struggles associated with adapting to a different way of life in a new country. The language barrier has been particularly challenging, yet the feisty 19-year-old continues to persevere, attending English classes at Walter Murray Collegiate.

“It has been a dream of mine to come to Canada,” Khudobin admits. “I think I am adjusting well and I am comfortable now.

Blades general manager and head coach Lorne Molleken believes the framework is in place to help Khudobin elevate his game.

“I think first of all Chad Mercier (assistant coach) and I are former goalies, so between us we’ll work with Anton on many of the different game situations,” Molleken explains. “The biggest thing was helping him to get adjusted to the way of life here and his billets have also been very helpful.”

“They are Russian people and they speak one language at home; English. One of the drawbacks so far for Anton, and what seems to frustrate him is the language barrier and the challenges in communicating on the ice.”

“He’s a talented young man,” Molleken adds. “And I think he’s in a great situation being drafted by Minnesota because they’ve got one of the best goaltending coaches in the league in Bob Mason.”

“I am very happy to play for them,” Khudobin says of Molleken and Mercier. “They have been a great help to me because in the beginning it was very difficult for me to adjust to the style of hockey. He (Molleken) came personally to help me and to work with me. He is a goalie, too. He talks about specific times during games and how I can approach things.”

“We produce CD after every game and Anton makes a point to watch these,” Molleken offers. “We’ll review them with him and there have been times when we’ve gone to his billet’s house to watch with him. We talk about things and if Anton has difficulty understanding, his billets are there to help with the translation.”

For Molleken, the commitment to these extra efforts is simply part of the job. He is a huge proponent of the current day make up of the CHL, what with the prominence of import players across the country.

“I think we’ve been very fortunate with the addition of Europeans in the WHL,” Molleken says. “They’re usually top end guys. Certainly in our case (Zdenek) Bahensky and Khudobin are elite players. Bahensky plays in all situations and plays the most minutes for us. Khudobin splits time in goal with Kevin Armstrong.”

“We miss them these days, but that also means there are opportunities for the young guys to play a little more.”

And while the Blades continue along with the WHL schedule, Bahensky and Khudobin are set to meet on New Year’s Eve in Kelowna. The Czech Republic plays Russia in the final preliminary round game and the two Saskatoon Blades can count on scouting reports being shared among WJC teammates. Even Molleken finds the match up compelling.

“It’s interesting that after every practice here, Zdenek is the guy who sticks around to shoot pucks at Anton,” Molloken says. “They work together on things like rebound control.”

“I will tell them that he is a great shooter and we will have to keep him away from good shooting angles,” Khudobin says.

Bahensky grinned at the prospect of sharing some privileged information with his Czech mates.

“We will have to try and get some shots at his stick side,” Bahensky laughed. “And I hope we will make it difficult for him to control rebounds.”

(Erickson is an Okanagan-based freelance writer covering the WJC in Kelowna.)