Tagged: USHL

Worcester Sharks‘ undrafted Russian-born rookie right wing Daniil Tarasov(19) signed a one-year AHL contract straight out of the USHL, where he tore up the scoresheet for two straight seasons before committing to a pro career.

He started the year with Worcester but was dispatched to their ECHL affiliate San Francisco Bulls to get some playing time in, because he wasn’t cracking the lineup.

In 17 ECHL games he scored 3 goals and added 11 assists. He was recalled to the Sharks in early January.

In 11 games played since returning he’s put in 3 goals and 5 assists. He just kept on showing up on the scoresheet and even has a couple of multi-point efforts in there. No doubt, he’s on a roll.

At 5’11” 192 lbs. he never really looks like the biggest guy on the ice but finds his spots for scoring chances.

No doubt if the 21-year keeps it up at this pace, he will on the San Jose radar for an entry level deal. He should be.

One thing about this player: his helmet never seems to fit on his head too well.

Daniil Tarasov

Talk about a sprint to get your career started, Buffalo Sabres‘ 1st round pick in this year’s draft (#14 overall), Latvian center Zemgus Girgensons(28) goes from his second season of scoring a point per game in the USHL, American junior hockey to the pros.

He had committed to attend University of Vermont next year but he excelled so well in prospect camp that the higher ups were thinking he might be ready to step right into the game and signed him to a 3-year entry level deal.

With the NHL on lockdown, he lacks the chance to make the big club out of training camp and starts his rookie season in the AHL with their close-by affiliate Rochester Americans.

At only 18 years old this is somewhat unprecedented. There’s no doubt that he possesses the size, 6’1″ 198 lbs. to compete and he’s known for playing a battler style of hockey.

Some of that seemed to be on display during the Amerks recent visit to the Glens Falls Civic Center in their 6-2 pounding of Adirondack Phantoms but they might be pushing this one along a bit fast.

He has 2 assists in 8 games and is a -1 plus/minus.

He seems like a really bright kid so there’s no doubt he’s going to be playing pro hockey for a long time and is now, but will he continue to this season?