Oilers 2012 Draft Watch "Mikhail Grigorenko"

Today we examine the #2 ranked player from REVS 2012 Prospects List . Each player is unique in their own right and full of talent. The ranking does not reflect a mock draft of who a team may actually pick but rather who I would place as the best player available in that spot.










2.Mikhail Grigorenko

Pos: C

HT:6'2
WT:191 lbs
Born: Khabarovsk, Russia


Season     Team                      Lge        GP   G   A   Pts   +/-
2010-11   CSKA                     MHL      43    17   18   35   2

2011-12

Québec, Remparts

QMJHL 11

9

9

18

2

Article by Alessandro Seren Rosso on Jan 24, 2010:
He is arguably the best 1994 born player in Russia. He plays with the 1993 national team and has played in this summer's Ivan Hlinka Tournament, playing against 1992 born players. In the latest World Under-17 Hockey Challenge he scored six goals and ten points in six games, and Team Russia finished the tournament at the fourth place.

When asked what he thought about changing position? Grigorenko replied "No. I like playing on the center. You are always in the middle of the game. You have to work on both attack and defense. And I love that." In regards to being asked if he had a hockey dream, Grigorenko said "Sure I have. I would really like to be called to the Russian national team. And win the Olympics and the World Championships." Don't you dream about the NHL? Grigorenko only said "I haven't really thought about the NHL yet. My main thought for now is to get into a MHL team and then to the KHL. I'm thinking about this only."

Mikhail played for Russia at the 2010 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, scoring 4 goals and adding 6 assists for 10 points in the 6 games he played. He also played for Russia at the 2011 U-18 World Junior Championship, scoring 4 goals and adding 14 assists for 18 points
in 7 games capturing the bronze medal.

Grigorenko was chosen 8th overall in the 1st round of the 2011 KHL Draft and also was chosen in the first round, 2nd overall, of the 2011 CHL Import Draft.. Grigorenko last year at this time was rumored to be coming to play for the Quebec Remparts for the 2011-12 season. He was listed on their website so it looked good. Reading reports from interviews he did ,it was looking like the NHL was as close to his heart as Radulov. In the end, he choose the CHL. Wise choice, now let's see where this season leads. In order to be drafted 2nd overall he will need to show NHL teams his heart and desire is to play in the NHL, not Russia.

Grigorenko seems to have made a very wise decision in coming to the CHL. It will do nothing more then cement him into the top 5, most likely selected in the 2012 NHL Draft. His big presence is a must for a team smaller down the middle. Not sure how strong he is in the faceoff circle, but a danger on the ice all the time. Poised and patient is his game.

Could you imagine a nice big Centreman on our second line who can play like this big boy? Not sure that would happen but it is possible he could drop a couple spots from where I have him ranked.

'Dreaming'
-----Hall/Nugent-Hopkins/Eberle
-----Paarjarvi/Grigorenko/Hemsky
-----Smyth/Lander/Hartikanen
-----Eager/Belanger/Jones

ok, I know, some of you will eat this idea alive! Anyway, was a nice thought for a moment. And yes, I know ,I have Omark, Horcoff and Gagner missing (it's called a trade for defenceman)

For continued information on Oiler and Baron news and 2012/13 NHL draft watch, you can follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/revingev