Patrick Williams, TheAHL.com Options Author
Nothing private, however Egor Sokolov wanted a change.
After 4 seasons with the Belleville Senators, the facility ahead felt that he wanted a brand new alternative, one thing completely different.
At 24, Sokolov is hardly too outdated to have a viable NHL future. However the years in professional hockey do transfer by shortly, and it may be very simple to age out of prospect standing and into that profession stage that may typically be murky on this enterprise. After taking part in a mixed 13 NHL video games within the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, he had gone all of final season with out an look for Ottawa.
Sokolov went to administration with a commerce request. Along with his offensive contact (76 targets and 180 factors over 4 seasons in Belleville) and passionate method, he had constructed up loads of respect capital with the NHL group that had chosen him as a 2020 second-round draft decide.
However he wanted an opportunity to play in entrance of latest eyes and Ottawa administration did proper by him, sending him to the Utah Hockey Membership on July 3. The Senators made positive to get worth in return, too, acquiring fellow ahead Jan Jenik – a truth not misplaced on Sokolov.
“They traded Jenik for me, and he’s an enormous piece,” Sokolov mentioned. “They didn’t simply commerce me for nothing, proper?”
It was a deal that despatched Sokolov to a brand new group, a brand new convention, and a brand new nation. He went from one of many AHL’s smaller markets in Belleville to the sprawling metropolis of Tucson, from southern Ontario to the American Southwest. Fewer bus journeys crisscrossing the Japanese Convention, extra flights to locations like Calgary and Colorado.
However with gamers and administration having relocated from Arizona to Salt Lake Metropolis as Utah ready for its inaugural season, Sokolov got here right into a scenario wherein everybody was encountering a brand new atmosphere.
“It was good,” Sokolov mentioned of his first Utah coaching camp. “I believe folks find out about you. [I wanted to] depart a very good impression for myself. Beginning the season in Tucson, I’ve been in a position to construct the belief from the teaching workers, and hopefully sooner reasonably than later I get a possibility up within the NHL.”
Sokolov wore a letter throughout his junior profession within the QMJHL and helped to guide throughout his time in Belleville. The Roadrunners rely on him for management as effectively. That began with a direct self-assessment in an early assembly with head coach Steve Potvin. AHL teaching staffs have already got loads to do serving to first- and second-year gamers with the professional recreation. Being a low-maintenance, reliable determine is essential for a group’s extra skilled gamers.
“I advised them proper off the hop, I don’t need you to take 20, 30 video games to begin constructing belief in me,” Sokolov remembered. “I advised them I’m going to point out proper from opening weekend that I might be trusted, and it’s been nice to date. They need me to achieve my dream.”
Sokolov has been as marketed in Tucson. He leads the Roadrunners in targets (8), assists (6), factors (14), power-play targets (3) and game-winners (3) by means of 10 video games. He was named Howies Hockey Tape/AHL Participant of the Week after a four-goal weekend towards Bakersfield in late October.
Tucson’s roster has solidified for the reason that begin of the season as effectively. High prospect Josh Doan and Kailer Yamamoto not too long ago joined the group from Utah, and far of the core from a 92-point season in 2023-24 has returned to Tucson. A current nine-day break between video games allowed Sokolov to settle in together with his teammates and coaches who’re nonetheless comparatively new to him.
With such a uncommon hole within the schedule, there was loads of time for video work. Sokolov’s potential with the puck is evident. Off the puck, the mandate is to maneuver his ft. Skating was a difficulty for Sokolov at the same time as he moved into the professional recreation, and it has been an space of intense focus. If he can keep tempo all through a recreation, proceed to construct that muscle reminiscence, he’ll put himself in a wonderful place for a promotion to Utah.
The Coyotes missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 11 of their remaining 12 seasons; holdover gamers and administration arrived of their new dwelling hungry for one thing completely different with this recent alternative. Hopes are excessive, and Sokolov desires to be part of that as effectively.
“I simply need to make a press release for everyone.”
On the American Hockey League beat for 20 years, TheAHL.com options author Patrick Williams additionally presently covers the league for NHL.com and FloSports and is an everyday contributor on SiriusXM NHL Community Radio. He was the recipient of the AHL’s James H. Ellery Memorial Award for his excellent protection of the league in 2016.
