Between May 16th and June 4th, LeafsHQ has decided to pick a Leafs prospect for every day, and write up a report on them. Check in every day for the latest prospect!
The 5 W’s
Who is he?
Mikhail Stefanovich is considered by a considerable margin to be the biggest “boom/bust” prospsect in the Leafs organization, and one of the top 2 Belarussians named Mikhail in the teams history. Stefanovich is a 20 year old Right Winger from Minsk, Belarus. A right handed shot, the 6’2, 202 lb Stefanovich has a fair amount of size to go with his talent. Though he has no North American pro experience just yet, Stefanovich has been plaing in the QMJHL (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) for the last several years.
What did his stats look like this year?
Stefanovich had a drastic change in his play this year, going from a sniper to a playmaker. In 53 games, Stefanovich had 25 goals and 43 assists for 68 points. Despite missing 15 games, he was 4th in points on the Quebec Rempart’s roster. Not exactly a tough guy though, with a mere 24 penalty minutes.
When/how did the Leafs acquire him?
Stefanovich was a draft pick of the only draft year of Fletcher Era II, selected 98th overall in the 4th round of the 2008 Entry Draft, the 3rd selection by the Leafs in the draft (next to Luke Schenn and Jimmy Hayes).
Where has he played?
Stefanovich is a rarity, being a Belarussian, raised there, that plays his junior career in Canada. Specifically, with the Patrick Roy-owned Quebec Remparts. Many people had and have compared him to Alexander Radulov, a former Rempart himself. People point out Stefanovich’s lower talent level but better attitude as the gap between them. Stefanovich’s best offensive year was his wicked 49 goal in 56 game pace he was on this year.
Why was he acquired?
Stefanovich has the potential to add a significant amount of offensive flair, with many originally thinking he would be a 1st rounder in the draft. The “Russian Factor” (even though he’s not Russian) and unpredictabilty of offensive forwards in the QMJHL lead to his fall to the 4th round.
What’s been Said…
HockeysFuture.com
On paper, Stefanovich looks to have all the tools that teams look for: a blend of scoring ability and size. Stefanovich’s sharpshooting abilities and offensive instincts are top notch, but his effort is inconsistent at best. Though he is willing to drive to the net, Stefanovich is a player who mainly fights through contact but doesn’t initiate physical play. His skating needs work, especially his acceleration, but his hockey sense and his ability to read to play softens the blow of this weakness.
Matias Strozyk, EliteProspects.com
A good offensive player with an excellent shot. Needs to improve his skating and especially his acceleration
The Hockey News
Has the instincts of a natural goal-scorer, plus the size to fend off defenders. Can play both wing and center. Needs more work on his defensive-zone coverage. Could also use more of a nasty streak to keep opponents honest. Goal-scoring forward.
Wikipedia
Scouts have identified that Stefanovich possesses a quick and accurate wrist shot and superb offensive instincts, but is not an overtly physical player, even for someone of his large stature. It is also said that his play is inconsistent and his skating is supbar, but his amazing hockey sense and play-reading ability negate his lack of skating ability. His play throughout the 2008–09 QMJHL season has exemplified that he is starting to become a more consistent and driven player. These improvements have been credited, some say, to his pre-season tryout with the Maple Leafs, where he befriended fellow Belorussian Mikhail Grabovski and Russian Nikolai Kulemin. In order to make the team, he realized he needed to improve these negative aspects of his game.
Mikhail Stefanovich, on being invited to the Quebec Remparts organization
My dream was to play in NHL, so when I was invited in the Remparts I was thrilled, you know. It was the year of my draft as well.
In The System
Whats his role expected to be next year?
Stefanovich is no doubt getting a bit old for Major Junior hockey, so it would be of no shock to see him as a member of the Toronto Marlies next ear, likely on one of the first two lines.
Has he exceeded or failed to reach the expectations had of him since being acquired?
About met. He’s continuing to develop and there’s no clue where his career path will lead him yet. The fact that he’s willing to work with his staff on improving his play, and the fact he’s still in North America to begin with makes me think he’s slightly exceeded.
Where is he ranked in the Leafs depth chart for his position?
Hockeysfuture.com has him 4th (5th, but they have Hanson as a prospect still, so we’ll assume fifth), behind Jimmy Hayes, Kenny Ryan, and Dale Mitchell. His ranking is a 7.OD, meaning he could be a decent forward, but has bust potential.
The Big Question
What does the future hold for him? Does he have a shot at being a contributing full time Leaf?
With a player like Stefanovich, its hard to say just yet. He’s a fantastic player with all the skill in the world, but how he adjusts to playing physical, pro level hockey remains to seen as of yet. He could be a stud for years to come, or he could be in the KHL by 2012. We don’t know just yet.
Anything Else?
He’s Better than Tavares…
If you believe the KHL Entry Draft. In the first ever entry draft in 2009, the young Stefanovich was selected 2nd overall in the 2009 by…local-to-him Dynamo Minsk, in hopes that he’d return to play with the hometown boys, I assume. Its a year later, though, and still no Mikhail in Russialand, not to mention he responded 2 days later by signing his Entry Level Contract with the Leafs, so I doubt it’ll matter much.
See Them In Action
Tribute Vid!
1 Comment
Best you should change the webpage name Leafs Prospect of the Day – Who is Mikhail Stefanovich? to more suited for your content you make. I loved the blog post all the same.