1. Page 8  MONCTON WILDCATS COLLECTOR’S EDITION  PLAYOFFS 2015
During their illustrious history, the Moncton
Wildcats have boasted a lengthy list of dynamic
players, some of whom include brothers Allain
and Alex Saulnier, Nicola Riopel, Keith Yandle,
Martins Karsums, Sebastian Roger, Jonathan Roy,
BradMarchand,SteveBernierandSimonLaliberte.
Now, Ivan Barbashev is part of this class.
Born in Moscow, Russia on Dec. 19, 1995, and
like many hockey stories, he began playing
hockey at the age of three.
His elite skill set propelled him through
many international competitions with Team
Russia. He won gold at the 2012 World Under-17
Hockey Challenge, played at the 2012 Ivan
Hlinka Memorial Tournament, placed fourth at
the 2013 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Cham-
pionship and won bronze and silver medals
at the past two world junior championships.
``Ivan is a special player,’’ said Moncton
director of hockey operations Roger Shannon.
``He does not fit the prototypical Russian
mold of player. He is fast, rugged and plays a
complete 200-foot game. I love his work ethic
and his compete level.’’
Barbashev was selected first overall by
Moncton in the 2012 Canadian Hockey League
import draft. In his first season with the Wild-
cats, he amassed 18 goals and 62 points in
68 games. He was also named to the QMJHL
All-Rookie Team. He followed up with 68 points,
including 25 goals, in 48 games.
He was claimed in the second round, 33rd
overall, by the St. Louis Blues in the 2014
National Hockey League draft. He attended
his first NHL training camp last September.
``There aren’t words to describe it.,’’ Bar-
bashev said on a popular Russian website. ``I
was expecting to be selected in the first round.
Before the draft, I was in the top-20 (rankings).
I was disappointed (that I didn’t get picked in
the first round) and I went back to the hotel
very sad (after Day 1 of the NHL draft).
``But then I understood that there were no
reasons for it. The next day I didn’t have to
wait much to hear my name. I was very happy.
St. Louis is a great team.’’
After impressing St. Louis general manager
Doug Armstrong, Barbashev was sent back
to Moncton to continue his development.
Many expect him to be part of the the Blues
organization next season.
Barbashev’s star was shining bright at the
2015 World Junior Hockey Championships
while playing for Team Russia. He was named
player of the game twice for his homeland in
that tournament, including the gold-medal
contest that Canada won 5-4.
Since returning to Moncton after the world
junior championship, Ivan Barbashev has been
on fire. Together with his linemate Conor Gar-
land, he has become the 10th Moncton player
to have a 40-goal season. He was on pace to
reach 90 points with five games remaining
on the schedule.
Moncton has battled for first overall in the
QMJHL throughout the season.
``We’re getting closer to playoffs and I like
the way our team is playing,’’ said Barbashev.
``I still think we can play better in our own
zone, but it’s something we can work on. It
would be great to finish first overall and get
home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs.’’
Ivan BarBashev
The Total PackageROGER WHITE
MoNCToN WILDCATS, PLAY BY PLAY ANNoUNCeR