Russia Hockey announced their rosters for the Four Nations U20 tournament in Sweden and the CIBC CHL Canada-Russia Series in Canada. Three Leafs prospects have made the initial cut, including one of them for both tournaments.
The Four Nations Cup is being held in Gothenburg, Sweden this year from Nov. 4-6. The Russian team is drawn mostly from the Russian junior league (MHL) and the KHL. Making the early 28-player preliminary list are Leafs draft picks Vladimir Bobylyov of Dynamo Spartak of the KHL and Nikolai Chebykin of HC MVD of the MHL (currently on load to the VHL team Dynamo Balashikha).
Bobylyov has been struggling to get ice time for Spartak, so it is good for him if he makes the cut for this tournament, and plays some competitive hockey.
Chebykin has quickly shown he’s outgrown the junior league, and is playing in the first division men’s league and doing very well. He has obviously caught the attention of the Russian Hockey federation, as he is also on the roster for the CIBC Canada-Russia Series.
Beginning just as the Four Nations ends, the Canadian Hockey League series pits a Russian team against some all-star teams of the Canadian Junior leagues. It comes as no surprise that Nikita Korostelev, who has 16 points in 10 games for the Sarnia Sting, is on the Russian roster for this event.
Chebykin is more of a surprising choice since he will likely be otherwise occupied in Sweden when Russia holds their training camp for this event.
Carl Grundström will also be on hand for the Four Nations, representing Sweden. Adam Brooks, who is playing well after a late arrival in the WHL, did not make the cut for the Canada-Russia series team.
