Ilya Zubov (born February 14, 1987, in Chelyabinsk, U.S.S.R.) is a Russian ice hockey player for the Ottawa Senators. His past experience was playing centre for Salavat Yulaev Ufa (Ufa); Moscow Spartak and Mytishi Khimik professional teams in the Russian Super League[1]. Zubov was acquired by the Ottawa Senators 98th overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.[2] The pick had been acquired from the St. Louis Blues for Patrick Lalime.
Zubov publicly stated before the 2007-08 season that he would accept being sent to the Senators' AHL affiliate in Binghamton if he does not make the team in the 2007-08 season.citation needed This was expected and that he will have his best attempt at making the NHL team in the subsequent season given Ottawa GM Murray's insistence that he learn "North American hockey."cite this quote Zubov was assigned to Binghamton on October 1, 2007.[3]
In his first NHL pre-season game, Zubov scored the first goal in a 4-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. Zubov commited to refining his physical game to accommodate the more agressive NHL style, and played the entire season in the AHL. While playing a primarily 3rd and 2nd line checking role, Ilya scored 15 goals, 22 assists for 37 pts in 70 games. In this time he learned to initiate and absorb heavy contact, and to engage in determined play down low. He is now needing to work on the defensive side of his game. Ilya is currently residing in Ottawa, and working hard with Senators stregnth and conditioning coach Randy Lee. Since the fall of 2007 Ilya has gained over 20 lbs of muscle. Ilya had a great showing at the Senators Mini Development Camp in the sumer of 2008, and hopes to crack the line-up in the 07/08 season.
References
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/10266/senators_top20_prospects_spring2008/
External links
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