Komarov says Canadian Hockey Faster, More Powerful Than Russian Game

When Buffalo Sabres draft pick Vsevolod Komarov talked to the Russian media about his Memorial Cup experience, he said Canadian hockey is faster and more powerful than Russian hockey.

“When I arrived, it seemed to me that the training was more intense, faster hockey, it was more difficult to leave the zone, since there was little time for this,” Komarov told reporter Maria Guseva of Sport-Express.ru.

Here is the full Russian article:

Komarov scored Memorial Cup-clinching goal for the Quebec Ramparts during a 5-0 triumph against the Seattle Thunderbirds in Kamloops, British Columbia.

The North American ice sheet isn’t as wide as the European rinks, which forces European players to make adjustments.

“The speed is higher. I had to add in physics. There is more power hockey than in Russia, ” Komorov said.  “More power moves, especially in the playoffs.”

Komarov has been playing a North American game, particularly when it comes defending in the crease area or along the boards. He uses his 6-foot-3 frame to bruise opponents.

Improving Offensively

His biggest improvement has come as an offensive player. He doubled his point total from 19 points in 2021-22 to 39 in 2022-23. The Sabres saw enough progress this season to sign him.

Using a Google translation, here is how Komarov described his important Memorial Cup goal. It was the first goal of the game and came on a two-on-one break:

“The game was difficult: we scored one goal in the first period, the second in the second, the opponent then flew to recoup, score, and we scored two goals on the counterattacks, and the fifth at the end,” Komarov said. “Yes, the score is 5:0, but the opponent played well. As for my goal, we had a rally from the very face-off in our zone, and all of our five played well. I had only to (finish).”

His Quebec coach is former NHL goalie Patrick Roy. He thinks Komarov is a “good mix of offense and defense.”

Added Roy: “I love his poise with the puck.”