Alex Galchenyuk Profile

Alex Galchenyuk
Ht/Wt: 6' 2"/185 lbsPosition: C
Team: Sarnia (OHL)
Alex Galchenyuk's Player Profile
Since being selected first overall in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection, Alex Galchenyuk has had a lot of pressure on him to perform at an elite level. So far, he's doing just fine. In his rookie year in the OHL, Galchenyuk tallied 83 points in 68 games for the Sarnia Sting, scoring 31 goals. The 6'2 teenage star is certain to go very high in the 2012 NHL Draft, and grab another load of very high expectations in the process.Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Galchenyuk was drafted into the OHL from the Chicago Young Americans after absolutely dominating the league, scoring 87 points in just 38 games. Galchenyuk has lived in four countries so far, including Germany, Italy, and Russia. His father was a veteran of the Russian Super League, and Alex moved around a lot. The family moved to Chicago to allow Galchenyuk to be eligible to play in the OHL, and so far it appears to be paying off. He will be playing alongside fellow top prospect Nail Yakupov again in Sarnia during the 2011-2012 OHL season, and many people are excited to see the two top last seasons outstanding performance. Former NHL star Igor Larionov has compared Alex Galchenyuk to Marian Hossa, and believes, along with the majority of hockey scouts, that Galchenyuk has a bright hockey future ahead of him. Galchenyuk has top-notch skill, including outstanding goal scoring ability, and the NHL team that selects him in the 2012 NHL Draft will be selecting what could potentially be a future All-Star for many years to come.
Submitted by: David O'Connor
Strengths – Galchenyuk is a big, play-making center who can skate very well; especially for his size. He has outstanding vision, hockey sense and is a great passer. He’s always very aware of where everyone is and will be on the ice, and he uses that to his advantage. Galchenyuk uses his big body well to create space for himself in the slot and on the boards. He has a very underrated shot, exceptional release and is very accurate. He can not only produce offensively night-in night-out, but he’s also very good defensively and understands that taking care of things in his own end is as important as producing at the other end of the ice. He also has outstanding hands and can often be found stick-handling in phone booths.
Weaknesses – There’s not much Galchenyuk can’t do, but one area he could improve on is his physical game. He has the body frame to be a physical player, but at this point in his career it’s just not his style. He can be an exceptional player without delivering bone crushing hits regularly, but given his size he could certainly be a little meaner.
Career Projection – First line (#1) Center – Galchenyuk is smart, big, talented, and he can skate. He is good in all aspects of the game and there really isn’t much he isn’t capable of doing. Given his size, smarts and skill he projects to be a very good first line center in the NHL for a long, long time. Had he been healthy the entire season, or even half, he would be a legitimate candidate to be drafted with the 1st overall pick.
Submitted by: Todd Cordell of TheHockeyGuys
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Alex Galchenyuk Videos
Ford Draft Central: NHL Draft Combine: Alex GalchenyukAlex Galchenyuk Combine Test
OHL: Alex Galchenyuk returns
Alex Galchenyuk 1st goal 3.23.12
OHL: Sarnia Sting Alex Galchenyuk
Alex Galchenyuk goal vs Kingston (2010-11-14)
Alex Galchenyuk interview
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