Vsevolod Komarov was born in Chelyabinsk and graduated from the Traktor school, but for two seasons (2019-21) he played in the Metallurg system, until in 2021 he moved to the junior club of the League of Quebec – Quebec Remparts, where he was the general manager and head coach is the famous former goaltender Patrick Roy.
— We have been cooperating with Vsevolod for four years. At the family council, a clear decision was made that the guy would grow in North America. Two years ago, Komarov entered the Canadian Junior League draft and we agreed with Patrick Roy. He knows the Russians well – he also coached Alexander Radulov, Mikhail Grigorenko, for a short time – Nikita Kucherov … Vsevolod specifically went to Rua in Quebec, and in 2021 the Remparts selected him in the draft at number 31 , – said the player’s agent Dan Milstein.
Over the next two seasons, Komarov scored 58 (14+44) points in 122 regular season games, adding to them 12 (3+9) points in 30 playoff games. The Russian defender adapted to the Canadian league, reached a new level – and the other day the Ramparts for the first time since 1976 became the champions of the Quebec junior league.
Now Komarov is preparing with Quebec for the Memorial Cup (May 26-June 4). This is a four-club tournament, and in all history only eight Russian hockey players have won this trophy: Alexander Radulov (2006), Andrey Loktionov (2009), Stanislav Galiev (2011), Anton Zlobin (2012), Kirill Kabanov (2012), Mikhail Sergachev (2017), German Rubtsov (2018) and Yan Kuznetsov (2022).
Komarov in the fifth-round 2022 NHL Draft at number 134 was selected by Buffalo. The defenseman came to rookie camp and performed so well that the Sabers gasped at how far the junior could slide in the draft. Komarov could have been picked higher in terms of potential.
Buffalo wanted to sign a contract during the season. But it was decided to wait until the player finishes the season as a junior. However, the season never ended, and then the Sabers decided to surprise.
Quebec has already become champions, the decisive games in the battle for the Memorial Cup are yet to come. There are several days of break due to the move to the city of Kamloops (western Canada), and on Thursday a zoom call was organized, where the player’s relatives were invited: mom, dad, uncle – the whole family with Vsevolod. Nobody knew anything.
“Everyone thought we wanted to wish Seva a successful performance in the Memorial Cup. But during the call, I ask, ‘Vsevolod, do you want to be an NHL player?’
“Of course, it’s my dream!”
“Do you want to be an NHL player right now?” And then Buffalo offers him a contract and Komarov signs him live,” Milshtein told the details.
It’s a three-year rookie contract for a total of $2.7 million, with an average value of $865,000.
Source : MatchTV
I’m Emma Smith, a dedicated journalist and avid storyteller. I have been writing for news websites for the past 5 years, reporting on hockey news and delivering in-depth analysis of the sport. In my current role as Author at Athletistic, I write about hockey events from around the world to keep followers up-to-date with what’s happening in the sport.
