DetroitRedWings.com’s Arthur J. Regner posted a “by the numbers” look back at Evgeny Svechnikov’s bumpy sophomore professional campaign, and he spoke with Grand Rapids Griffins coach Ben Simon regarding Svechnikov’s ups and downs:
Quotable: “I think consistency is a huge thing with any player. I wouldn’t say this is a make or break year, but I do think it is a very pivotal year for The Svech. He’s not the first player to go through that quote unquote sophomore slump. He had a very good rookie year and for whatever reason it didn’t come together last year. He’s not the first player that’s going to go through that, he’s not the last player that’s going to go through that.”
“There’s a lot of things that goes on away from the rink that people just don’t know. In his first year his brother was in Muskegon playing in the USHL and his mother would visit a lot and help him with stuff and all of a sudden, she is gone and his brother is playing in the OHL. Maybe that had something to do with it, I don’t know. What I do know is Svech works way too hard and cares way too much to let that slide continue. He’s a tremendous character player, he works extremely hard and if there is anyone who can dig himself out of that quote unquote hole he was in, it’s going to be him. I saw him at the draft and he’s looking great, he’s working hard, he’s excited to get back to work. He’s excited about the opportunity of this year.” – Ben Simon, Grand Rapids Griffins head coach