EDMONTON – Most hockey players dream of playing in the NHL from a young age.
The Edmonton Oilers superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have both talked about it. Even when they get older and play in leagues outside of the NHL, playing in the NHL is always the goal.
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And things are no different for Maxim Beryozkin.
The 23-year-old gave an exclusive interview with Daria Tuboltseva of VseProSport. Beryozkin explained his decision to stay in the KHL for another season.
“He (Igor Valerievich Nikitin) thought it was too early for me to go to the NHL,” Beryozkin told Tuboltseva. “I took that into account and decided to stay another year so as not to play in the AHL.”
Igor Valerievich Nikitin was the head coach for Yaroslavl Lokomotiv before former Calgary Flames head coach Bob Hartley replaced him.
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Beryozkin confirmed that the Oilers had reached out to him and his representation about signing with the NHL team.
“I was invited to join the team,” Beryozkin revealed. “We had conversations, some discussions, but I didn't give them a clear answer. I decided to stay, and I'm sure that this is only a plus for my development.”
He also mentioned that he made this decision back in December.
"My dream is to play in the NHL, against all these stars I have watched my whole life."
Beryozkin’s reasoning for staying in the KHL for another year should excite fans. He doesn’t want to play in the AHL. When he comes to North America, he wants to be playing with McDavid and Draisaitl.
The 6-foot-4, 211 lb winger had a career-best season in the KHL. In 66 games, he recorded 15 goals, 42 points, 63 hits, and fired 143 shots on goal while playing 15:55 a night.
Beryozkin won the KHL Championship with Lokomotiv last year, recording 14 points in 21 playoff games.
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