Mikhail Stefanovich
Encyclopedia
Mikhail Stefanovich is a Belarusian
professional ice hockey
player. Stefanovich currently plays for the HC Dinamo Minsk
of the KHL. He was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs
in the fourth round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft
.
, spending just over two seasons in Belarus' tier two hockey league — half a season with HC Dinamo-2 Minsk, and just over one and a half seasons with HC Homiel-2. After playing just three games with HC Homiel-2 in the 2006–07 tier two season, HC Homiel of the Belarusian Extraliga
called him up. He finished the rest of the season with Homiel and drew a great deal of attention from North American teams.
Following the season with Homiel, Stefanovich was selected 54th overall in the 2007 CHL Import Draft by the Quebec Remparts
. Upon arriving in Canada
, Stefanovich made the Remparts roster and quickly adjusted to the North American-style of hockey. Halfway through his inaugural QMJHL season, Stefanovich was selected to play in the CHL Top Prospects Game and, following the conclusion of the season, received the Mike Bossy Trophy
, which is awarded to the QMJHL player judged to be the best professional prospect.
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 sub-par, but that he has above-average hockey sense and play-reading ability. Stefanovich's play in the 2008–09 QMJHL season
improved and he became a more consistent 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.
On June 1, 2009, Stefanovich was selected second overall in the 2009 KHL Junior Draft
by HC Dinamo Minsk
. Two days later, on June 3, he was signed to an entry-level contract by the Maple Leafs. On September 19, 2009, Stefanovich was assigned to the Toronto Marlies
, the AHL affiliate of the Maple Leafs, and shortly after demoted back to junior.
On September 15, 2010, the Maple Leafs announced that Stefanovich would be part of the team's 63-player training camp roster, however, eight days later, the team assigned him to the Toronto Marlies. Stefanovich was named to the Marlies' opening day roster on October 8, but was re-assigned to the Reading Royals
on October 14, 2010. On October 18, Stefanovich was recalled to the Marlies. After playing only 2 games with the Marlies, he was again re-assigned to the Royals on November 22, 2010. Stefanovich was loaned out to HC Dinamo Minsk of the KHL on November 27, 2010.
On January 13, 2011, Stefanovich's NHL rights were traded by the Maple Leafs to the Dallas Stars
for Fabian Brunnstrom
.
and has come close to or has led the team in goals every year. He also participated at the 2010 IIHF World Championship
as a member of the Belarus men's national ice hockey team.
Belarusians
Belarusians ; are an East Slavic ethnic group who populate the majority of the Republic of Belarus. Introduced to the world as a new state in the early 1990s, the Republic of Belarus brought with it the notion of a re-emerging Belarusian ethnicity, drawn upon the lines of the Old Belarusian...
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player. Stefanovich currently plays for the HC Dinamo Minsk
HC Dinamo Minsk
Dinamo Minsk is an ice hockey team based in Minsk, Belarus. They are members of the Tarasov Division of the Kontinental Hockey League.Dinamo has qualified for the KHL playoffs only once, during the 2010-11 KHL season....
of the KHL. He was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the fourth round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft
2008 NHL Entry Draft
The 2008 NHL Entry Draft was the 46th NHL Entry Draft. It was hosted by the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place in the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on June 20–21, 2008...
.
Playing career
Stefanovich's career started out in his home country of BelarusBelarus
Belarus , officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered clockwise by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno , Gomel ,...
, spending just over two seasons in Belarus' tier two hockey league — half a season with HC Dinamo-2 Minsk, and just over one and a half seasons with HC Homiel-2. After playing just three games with HC Homiel-2 in the 2006–07 tier two season, HC Homiel of the Belarusian Extraliga
Belarusian Extraliga
The Belarusian Extraleague , officially formed in 2006, is the top ice hockey league in Belarus...
called him up. He finished the rest of the season with Homiel and drew a great deal of attention from North American teams.
Following the season with Homiel, Stefanovich was selected 54th overall in the 2007 CHL Import Draft by the Quebec Remparts
Québec Remparts
There have been two junior ice hockey franchises known as the Quebec Remparts that played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The first franchise played from 1969 to 1985; the current franchise has played since 1997. Both franchises were based out of Quebec City, Quebec...
. Upon arriving in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Stefanovich made the Remparts roster and quickly adjusted to the North American-style of hockey. Halfway through his inaugural QMJHL season, Stefanovich was selected to play in the CHL Top Prospects Game and, following the conclusion of the season, received the Mike Bossy Trophy
Mike Bossy Trophy
The Mike Bossy Trophy is awarded annually to the player in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League judged to be the best professional prospect. The award is named after former New York Islanders forward Mike Bossy, who played in the QMJHL prior to his Hockey Hall of Fame career.-Winners:-External...
, which is awarded to the QMJHL player judged to be the best professional prospect.
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 sub-par, but that he has above-average hockey sense and play-reading ability. Stefanovich's play in the 2008–09 QMJHL season
2008–09 QMJHL season
The 2008–09 QMJHL season was the 40th season of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League . The regular season began on September 11, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team QMJHL versus the Russian Selects, took place on November 17 and 19, 2008....
improved and he became a more consistent 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
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
Nikolai Kulemin
Nikolai Kulemin
Nikolai Vladimirovich Kulemin is a Russian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League...
. In order to make the team, he realized he needed to improve these negative aspects of his game.
On June 1, 2009, Stefanovich was selected second overall in the 2009 KHL Junior Draft
2009 KHL Junior Draft
The 2009 KHL Junior Draft was the first entry draft held by the Kontinental Hockey League , taking place on June 1, 2009. Twenty-three teams would take part in the draft, selecting ice hockey players from around the world aged between 17 and 21 years of age...
by HC Dinamo Minsk
HC Dinamo Minsk
Dinamo Minsk is an ice hockey team based in Minsk, Belarus. They are members of the Tarasov Division of the Kontinental Hockey League.Dinamo has qualified for the KHL playoffs only once, during the 2010-11 KHL season....
. Two days later, on June 3, he was signed to an entry-level contract by the Maple Leafs. On September 19, 2009, Stefanovich was assigned to the Toronto Marlies
Toronto Marlies
The Toronto Marlies is a Canadian professional ice hockey team currently playing in the American Hockey League . The top affiliate of the National Hockey League 's Toronto Maple Leafs, the Marlies play at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario...
, the AHL affiliate of the Maple Leafs, and shortly after demoted back to junior.
On September 15, 2010, the Maple Leafs announced that Stefanovich would be part of the team's 63-player training camp roster, however, eight days later, the team assigned him to the Toronto Marlies. Stefanovich was named to the Marlies' opening day roster on October 8, but was re-assigned to the Reading Royals
Reading Royals
The Reading Royals are a professional ice hockey team that currently plays in the ECHL. The team participates in the Atlantic Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. The Royals play their home games at the Sovereign Center located in downtown Reading, Pennsylvania...
on October 14, 2010. On October 18, Stefanovich was recalled to the Marlies. After playing only 2 games with the Marlies, he was again re-assigned to the Royals on November 22, 2010. Stefanovich was loaned out to HC Dinamo Minsk of the KHL on November 27, 2010.
On January 13, 2011, Stefanovich's NHL rights were traded by the Maple Leafs to the Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
for Fabian Brunnstrom
Fabian Brunnström
Fabian Brunnström is a Swedish professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
.
International play
Stefanovich has played in the three World JuniorsWorld Junior Ice Hockey Championships
The International Ice Hockey Federation World Under 20 Championship is an annual event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation for national under-20 ice hockey teams from around the world...
and has come close to or has led the team in goals every year. He also participated at the 2010 IIHF World Championship
2010 IIHF World Championship
The 2010 IIHF World Championship was the 74th IIHF World Championship, an annual international ice hockey tournament. It took place between 7 and 23 May 2010 in Germany. The games were played in the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, SAP Arena in Mannheim, and one game at Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen...
as a member of the Belarus men's national ice hockey team.
Awards
- QMJHL Rookie Player of the Month (September 20072007–08 QMJHL seasonThe 2007–08 QMJHL season was the 39th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. At the season-opening press conference, the QMJHL announced in partnership with Telus, all 630 regular season games would be available by internet broadcast. The regular season started on September...
) - RDSRéseau des sportsRéseau des sports , is a Canadian French language Category C specialty channel showing sports and sport-related shows. It is available in 2.5 million homes, and is owned by CTV Specialty Television Inc....
Rookie Excellence Award (QMJHL) (Mid-season) (2007–08) - Mike Bossy TrophyMike Bossy TrophyThe Mike Bossy Trophy is awarded annually to the player in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League judged to be the best professional prospect. The award is named after former New York Islanders forward Mike Bossy, who played in the QMJHL prior to his Hockey Hall of Fame career.-Winners:-External...
— 2007–08 (Top QMJHL Professional Prospect)
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2006–07 | HC Homiel | BEL Belarusian Extraliga The Belarusian Extraleague , officially formed in 2006, is the top ice hockey league in Belarus... |
41 | 16 | 9 | 25 | 43 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 2007–08 | HC Homiel | BEL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 2007–08 QMJHL season The 2007–08 QMJHL season was the 39th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. At the season-opening press conference, the QMJHL announced in partnership with Telus, all 630 regular season games would be available by internet broadcast. The regular season started on September... |
Quebec Remparts Québec Remparts There have been two junior ice hockey franchises known as the Quebec Remparts that played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The first franchise played from 1969 to 1985; the current franchise has played since 1997. Both franchises were based out of Quebec City, Quebec... |
QMJHL | 62 | 32 | 34 | 66 | 32 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 10 | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 QMJHL season The 2008–09 QMJHL season was the 40th season of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League . The regular season began on September 11, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team QMJHL versus the Russian Selects, took place on November 17 and 19, 2008.... |
Quebec Remparts | QMJHL | 56 | 49 | 27 | 76 | 17 | 17 | 11 | 5 | 16 | 6 | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 QMJHL season The 2009–10 QMJHL season was the 41st season of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League . The regular season, which consisted of eighteen teams playing 68 games each, began on September 10, 2009, and ended on March 14, 2010.... |
Quebec Remparts | QMJHL | 53 | 25 | 43 | 68 | 24 | 8 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 0 | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 ECHL season The 2010–11 ECHL season is the 23rd season of the ECHL. The regular season schedule runs from October 15, 2010 to April 2, 2011. The Kelly Cup playoffs followed the regular season, with the first playoff game held on April 4, 2011, all the way to late May or early June... |
Reading Royals Reading Royals The Reading Royals are a professional ice hockey team that currently plays in the ECHL. The team participates in the Atlantic Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. The Royals play their home games at the Sovereign Center located in downtown Reading, Pennsylvania... |
ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
4 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Toronto Marlies Toronto Marlies The Toronto Marlies is a Canadian professional ice hockey team currently playing in the American Hockey League . The top affiliate of the National Hockey League 's Toronto Maple Leafs, the Marlies play at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| 2010–11 2010–11 KHL season The 2010–11 KHL season is the third season of the Kontinental Hockey League. It was held from 8 September 2010 and ended on 16 April 2011.The season started with the Opening Cup game between the last season's finalists, Ak Bars Kazan and the new team that was created by merging last season's... |
HC Dynamo Minsk | KHL | 21 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | ||
| BEL totals | 42 | 16 | 9 | 25 | 43 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||||
| QMJHL totals | 207 | 124 | 122 | 246 | 89 | 36 | 18 | 18 | 36 | 16 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 2006 IIHF World U18 Championships The 2006 IIHF World U18 Championships were held in Ängelholm and Halmstad, Sweden. The championships began on April 12, 2006 and finished on April 22, 2006. Games were played at Ängelholms Ishall in Ängelholm and Sannarps Isstadion in Halmstad... |
Belarus | U18 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 24 | |
| 2007 2007 IIHF World U18 Championships The 2007 IIHF World U18 Championships were held in Rauma and Tampere, Finland. The championships began on April 11, 2007 and finished on April 22, 2007. Games were played at Äijänsuo Arena in Rauma and Hakametsän jäähalli in Tampere... |
Belarus | U18 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 12 | 16 | |
| 2007 2007 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The 2007 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 2007 edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and was held in Mora and Leksand, Sweden between December 26, 2006 and January 5, 2007. The venues were FM Mattsson Arena in Mora, and Ejendals Arena in Leksand... |
Belarus | WJC World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The International Ice Hockey Federation World Under 20 Championship is an annual event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation for national under-20 ice hockey teams from around the world... |
6 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 8 | |
| 2008 2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The 2008 IIHF World U20 Championship, or, as it is commonly referred to in Canada as the 2008 World Juniors and the United States, the 2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships is the 2008 edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships... |
Belarus | WJC | 5 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | |
| 2009 2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships - Group B :ScheduleAll times local - Relegation round :The results from matches between teams from the same group in the preliminary round are carried forward to this round.-Schedule:... |
Belarus | WJC | 5 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 4 | |
| 2009 2009 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships The 2009 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships was the 73rd such event hosted by the International Ice Hockey Federation. Teams representing 46 countries participated in four levels of competition. The competition also served as qualifications for the 2010 competition... |
Belarus | WC | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2010 2010 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships The 2010 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships was the 74th such event hosted by the International Ice Hockey Federation. Teams representing 48 countries participated in four levels of competition... |
Belarus | WC | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
| U-18 totals | 11 | 11 | 7 | 18 | 40 | |||
| WJC totals | 16 | 11 | 4 | 15 | 14 | |||
| WC totals | 10 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |||