Boychuk Looks Back On The Season In Russia

A local hockey player recently finished his first year in the Kontinental Hockey League in Russia.

Airdrie's Zach Boychuk looks back on the time last fall when he decided to make the jump to join Sibir Novosibirsk.

"I was at the point in my career where I got a new team to try out for, I tried out for Arizona, and things didn't work out. I kinda weighed my options and decided that the solidified contract that I had in Russia was the best option."

Boychuk, who was drafted 14th overall in the 2008 NHL Draft, says after getting through the culture shock of moving to Russia, the experience was overall good.

"You hear a lot of horror stories. Going over there, I was a little bit nervous, a little bit worried. It's just another country, a country that's passionate about hockey, it's no different than Canada."

In the 35 games Boychuk played last season, he racked up 16 points and even witnessed some of the league's rituals. In particular, Boychuk and other new comers to the league saw Amur Khabarovsk's pre game ritual of bringing real Tigers to the ice.

Although Boychuk's first contract ended with the team, he still hopes to go back to the KHL or another European Hockey League.

"My plan is to probably go back to the KHL or go to Switzerland. Probably end up back overseas. I guess I'm talking back and forth with my agent right now. It's kind of the high time to start signing guys right now."

He hopes to have a contract finalized with a team by the end of July.