Yakupov and Galchenyuk Adjusting to OHL Life
Dave Borody   November 5th, 2010

When the Sarnia Sting drafted Alex Galchenyuk first overall in the OHL Priority Draft, and then turned around and took Nail Yakupov with the second overall pick in the CHL Import Draft, Sting fans had a guarded optimism about the pair. Simply put Sting fans have been burned in the past with high draft picks. But only 16 games into the season Sting fans need not to worry about the pair. They have set the league on fire and are currently the talk of the league.

The two youngsters, both Russians, have dazzled fans with their outstanding play to date.

One can argue who has been the most impressive, but it’s Yakupov who has been the most prolific with several highlight-reel goals and currently leads the Ontario Hockey League in scoring as a 17-year-old.

“Very good,” said Yakupov, when asked about how his season is going to date. Yakupov speaks little English and rooms with Galchenyuk on the road. Galchenyuk acted as the interpreter for an interview this week after a pre-game meal. When asked what he thought of the OHL, Yakupov said, “It’s very different hockey to what I played last year. It’s

faster, the players are stronger and more physical. It’s fun to play against good teams. Every game is tough and I like playing in the big rinks.”

Yakupov also billets with the Galchenyuk family. He says that transition has been a smooth one. “I like living there. They are a nice family and have great food. Everything is great.” Speaking of food, Yakupov says steak and potatoes are his favourites, but puts chicken wings right up there. “I never tried them before until I came to Canada. The team went to Crabby Joes for a team dinner and I loved them. Medium wings are my favourite.”

Galchenyuk says the addition of Yakupov to his family has been a smooth one.

“Believe it or not when I first met him before training camp he was very shy. Coming to Canada was a whole new world for him. But it didn’t take long before he felt comfortable and he isn’t shy anymore.”

Yakupov comes from Nizhnekamsk, Russia, an industrial city of about 350,000. Adjusting to life in Sarnia, a city around 75,000 has been easy according to Yakupov.

“Sarnia is much smaller than I’m used to, but I like it because there aren’t people rushing around. Everything is quiet.”

He added, “it’s made leaving my family, (Yakupov has an 11 year-old sister), that much easier. I think about my family, but we all knew I would be coming to Canada.”

When not at the RBC Centre, or watching movies at home, Yakupov attends English classes three days a week at St. Clair Secondary School.

“My English is getting better. I can read a bit of English now.” That prompted Galchenyuk to pipe in with, “He knows more English than he lets on.” The language barrier is one Yakupov is getting more comfortable with every day. “When the coach talks to me at practice, I know what he is telling me. My teammates have been awesome helping me to get used to Canada.”

Kale Kerbashian, Yakupov’s linemate, says hockey sense takes over whenever the language barrier comes into play. “We have a little sign with one another, like thumbs up and thumbs down. He knows where to go and so do I. In a game it’s all about hockey sense and most of the time communicating is not a problem.”

Yakupov likes the Sting. “We have a good team. We just need to grow together as a team and will get better. We can win a lot of games.” Galchenyuk speaks for both players when asked about what the pair needs to work on.

“Working on everything, especially defence. We want to get stronger and be good, two-way players.” Galchenyuk added, “For me it’s been great. I knew the OHL would be hard so I worked hard over the summer to be prepared.”

Yakupov has electrified the RBC Centre fans with his amazing goals and the excitement he displays after scoring a goal. “I never did that before,” said Yakupov, when asked about celebrating his goals. “We’ve had some close games and they like it when I score. I see their excitement and that gets me excited.”

Yakupov has 13 goals and 14 assists while Galchenyuk has seven goals and 11 assists. Both have played in all 16 games to date. Yakupov is not eligible for the National Hockey League draft until 2012 while Galchenyuk is eligible in 2011. The pair will be in the lineup this weekend when the Sting has a pair of home games this weekend at the RBC Centre. They host the first place Saginaw Spirit Friday night and the Ottawa 67s Saturday night. Both games begin at 7:05 p.m.