All-around game boosts Chubarov’s NHL chances

Originally published on EuroReport.com in 2000

By Lucas Aykroyd

Most Canadian hockey fans would have pegged Artem Chubarov for a pure sniper after his performance in the gold medal game at the 1999 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships in Winnipeg. There, the Novgorod native potted two goals for Team Russia, including the winner at 5:13 of overtime, in a 3-2 victory over Canada. But in Chubarov’s first NHL season with the Vancouver Canucks, early comparisons by the local media to crafty veteran center Ron Francis proved overblown. He scored just one goal and nine assists in 49 games. He was more effective with Vancouver’s AHL affiliate in Syracuse, notching 13 points in 14 games. Defensively aware and physically robust at 6-2 and 189 pounds, Chubarov is hoping to bring his all-around game to Vancouver’s third or fourth line in 2000-01. EuroReport recently caught up with Chubarov, 20, after practice at Burnaby 8-Rinks.

EuroReport: How do you feel about your performance in training camp so far?

Artem Chubarov: I think I’m OK now. I feel more comfortable than last year. That’s about all I can say.

EuroReport: What areas of your game have the coaches asked you to work on?

Chubarov: I know there are many things I should do, on the ice and off the ice. I just have to get better.

EuroReport: How did your role with the Canucks last year compare to your role with Dynamo Moscow?

Chubarov: There are a couple of differences: the style of play and the size of the rinks. At first, it was hard for me to play in the small rinks. Now I’m ready and I know what’s going on.

EuroReport: You played with a few different linemates last year. Was there anyone you felt particularly comfortable with?

Chubarov: I like to play with all the guys. Every guy has a different style, and it’s interesting for me.

EuroReport: I’m sure October 6, 1999 will always be a special date for you, because you scored your first NHL goal against Chicago. What was that like?

Chubarov: I don’t know. It was a good start for me, a quick goal. I don’t know what happened after this, but I couldn’t score any more goals.

EuroReport: How did you feel about Alexander Mogilny being traded to the New Jersey Devils?

Chubarov: I felt bad about it. He was almost my best friend here in North America. But I know it’s a business, so I can’t do anything about it.

EuroReport: Who were your favorite players when you were a kid?

Chubarov: There were lots of good players on the Moscow teams. Larionov, Makarov, Krutov. At that time, CSKA was very good, so I watched them on the ice and I tried to develop their skills.

EuroReport: The 2000 World Championships didn’t go so well for Russia. What did you think about the result?

Chubarov: Actually, I don’t know that much about it. I saw the final match. Both teams [Czech Republic and Slovakia] played the same style, icing the puck and playing defense. It wasn’t interesting hockey, but both teams tried to keep their nets shut, so…

EuroReport: What’s the most important thing you need to do to make the Canucks this year?

Chubarov: Probably I should play like I can. I’m ready.