Montreal Canadiens‘ 1st round pick in the 2014 draft (#26 overall) Russian-born right wing Nikita Scherbak(38) receives his first recall after being one of the last cuts from training camp and gets his 1st NHL goal on the power play with his only shot in a disappointing 5-3 loss.
The 6’2″ 190 lbs. forward skated 20 shifts for 11:48 total ice with one play breakup and left the game with a +1 rating.
After only a pair of junior campaigns, first with Saskatoon Blades, where he had a most goals, assists and points by a first year player, then traded to Everett Silvertips scoring almost 30 goals and 50+ assists per campaign in identical 65 WHL games, he decided to turn pro.
On reassignment for his full rookie season to affiliate St. John’s IceCaps he had 7 goals and 16 assists in 48 AHL games but was an absolutely horrendous -26.
He was off to a solid start as a sophomore skater putting up a tied for team best 10 goals and 10 assists in 27 contests.
The 21-year old, signed to a three-year entry level deal through 2018, plays a power style game and if he can continue to connect will play himself into a full-time roster spot with the big club sooner than later.