Dmitri Chernykh

2006-07 Update: May 1, 2007: Dmitri Chernykh went scoreless in 1 game played with the Dayton Bombers during the month of April. After missing Dayton's last 10 games in March, Chernykh missed their first 4 games in April. He returned for their final game of the regular season, a 3-2 shootout win vs. the Toledo Storm on Apr. 7th. According to the new CBA, European players drafted in 2003 have to be signed by June 1, 2007 or their rights will be lost. Don't expect the Islanders to sign Chernykh as they have most likely given up on him a long time ago. Playoffs: Dayton received a first round bye in the ECHL playoffs. In the second round, Dayton faced the Trenton Titans in a best of five series. Dayton swept Trenton 3 games to 0 winning two games by a 1-0 score. The Bombers advanced to take on the Cincinnati Stingers in a best of seven series. Cincinnati currently leads the series 3 games to 2 after leading 3 games to 1. Dayton had home ice advantage in both series. Chernykh has not played in any of Dayton's 8 playoff games and may not be on their playoff roster.

April 1, 2007: Dmitri Chernykh recorded a goal in 7 games played with the Dayton Bombers during the month of March. The goal was the first of the game and the game winner in a 6-0 win vs. the Trenton Titans on Mar. 4th. Chernykh did not play in Dayton's last 10 games of the month of March. Dayton posted a record of 10-3-4 during the month of March and they are 29-16-6 since Chernykh joined them in December. Dayton went 5-0-2 in the 7 games Chernykh played in March.

March 1, 2007: Dmitri Chernykh went 1-3-4 in 11 games played with the Dayton Bombers during the month of February. His goal was the first of the game in a 4-2 loss at the South Carolina Stingrays on Feb. 10th. Chernykh recorded 2 assists, one on the game-winner, in a win vs. Reading on Feb. 16th. He missed two games late in February: 1/27 vs. Toledo and 1/28 at Johnstown. Chernykh also recorded an assist in a 4-2 loss vs. the Trenton Titans on Feb. 3rd. Dayton posted a record of 6-7-0 in February and they are 19-13-2 since Chernykh joined them in December.

February 1, 2007: Dmitri Chernykh went 2-1-3 in 11 games played with the Dayton Bombers during the month of January. He recorded a goal in a 5-3 loss at the Toledo Storm on Jan. 20th after going 10 games without a point. Chernykh also missed three games: 1/7 vs. Trenton, 1/9 vs. Cincinnati, and 1/12 vs. Johnstown. He scored the only goal of the game during the third period in a 1-0 shutout win vs. Cincinnati on Jan. 27th. Dayton posted a record of 6-4-0 in January with Chernykh in the lineup and 6-6-1 overall.

January 1, 2007: Dmitri Chernykh resurfaced in December as he finally came over to North America and signed with the ECHL's Dayton Bombers. His first game was December 8, 2006 vs. the Johnstown Chiefs. Chernykh scored his first career ECHL goal, on the power play, December 22, 2006 in a 5-4 shootout win at the Trenton Titans. On Dec. 30th, he was assessed a 5 minute slashing penalty. Chernykh was a healthy scratch on the following dates: 12/15 vs. Toledo, 12/16 at Wheeling and 12/28 vs. Cincinnati. He wears #16.

Highlights 2006-07:

* Named second star with a goal (GW) in 1-0 win vs. Cincinnati Cyclones January 27, 2007.
* Named third star with an assist in 2-1 loss vs. Augusta Lynx January 30, 2007.
* Named third star with 2 assists in 5-2 win vs. Reading Royals February 16, 2007.

Russian forward leads Bombers over Cyclones
The second-largest crowd of the season sees Dayton get a 1-0 win
By Debbie Juniewicz, daytondailynews.com, Jan. 28, 2007

FAIRBORN — Dmitri Chernykh is far from home but feeling right at home in Dayton.

The Dayton Bombers forward, a native of Russia, scored the game winner Saturday night in front of the second largest crowd of the season, 7,845, at the Nutter Center. The Bombers defeated the North Division leading Cincinnati Cyclones 1-0.

It was Chernykh's first start since making the trek from Russia to join the team in December.

"We haven't been giving him a full chance and we wanted him to play a full shift tonight, no matter what," Bombers coach Don MacAdam said.

Every shift has been a learning experience for the 6-foot Russian forward.

"Everything is different here," Chernykh said of his first season playing in the ECHL. "Hockey is faster, there are more hits and more shots."

The Bombers opened the third period with a five-on-three advantage but it wasn't until the teams were at even strength that Chernykh connected in front of the goal. The Dayton forward gave the home team the only score they would need two minutes into the final period.

2005-06 Update:

June 2006 Update: Dmitri Chernykh joined Khimik-SKA Novopolotsk of the Belarussian League midway through the 2005-06 season and put up some decent numbers with 12 points in 31 games played.

February 1, 2006 Update: Chernykh has only 2 points this year in 15 games with Yuzhni Ural in the Russian Div.-2 High League. The Islanders spent a second round pick on him in 2003 and it is beginning to seem as though they may have wasted a pick.

From NHL.com Futures Article
March 16, 2005

Islanders Scout Tony Feltrin: "Cherneykh has also struggled to find his niche for full ice time. He's bounced around to a couple of teams in Russia, but he's been getting an opportunity lately and is contributing offensively." Feltrin contributes Chernyk's past struggles in Russia due to the influx of North American players over to Europe during the NHL lockout which bumped back prospects to the junior leagues.

2004-05 Update:

For a second round selection, Dmitri Chernykh should be producing much better than he has. The questions are, is he not getting the opportunities he should, or is he lazy? Statistics out of Russia have been hard to come by for the youngster, probably because he's been passed around so much. Chernykh supposedly put up decent numbers with CSKA Moscow's farm team CSKA-2 with 12 points in 24 games played. CSKA-2, apparently unimpressed, shipped Chernykh off to three other teams before he was eventually sent to Mechel Chelyabinsk, a Russian tier-2 division team in the Vysshaya Liga, in November 2004. He tallied only 1 goal and 6 points in 22 games played. He was an early favorite to make the Russian squad for the 2005 World Junior Championships but was eventually not named to the team because of his lack of play. Only time will tell if the enigmatic Chernykh can get his act together and eventually break out.

from russianprospects.com

2003-04 Update:

from russianprospects.com

Russia Wants a 3rd Consecutive World Champions Title
By Denis Neznanov, Dec. 19, 2003 (translated)

The right wing position could turn out to be a real headache for the Russian coach. Choice isn’t rich and the unexpected departure for NHL’s Columbus of phenom Zherdev Nikolay is a real shocking thing. Only two Yevgeny’s reserved their places onto right forward position 2003 NYI draftee Tunik and highly touted prospect for 2004 Draft Malkin. The other names Chernykh, Ermolin and Shkotov not the best available choices for 2 remaining spots. Skilled 2003 Draft NYI choice Dmitry Chernykh who is the son of 1988 Olympic champion in ice hockey Alexander Chernykh just recovered from an injury and hasn’t played much since the start of the season. It’s evident he isn’t in his best shape. Other candidate Ermolin Yuri is small 5.11 and fragile winger with Omsk of Superleague can make the team but it’s very much questionable if he be productive at U-20 WJC level. Who else could get under national coach radar? Probably 2002 St. Louis 2nd round pick Shkotov Alexey who was taking part in recent RE/MAX series in Canada vs Russian team.

 

Isles select RW Dmitri Chernykh 48th

The Islanders continued their focus on scoring wingers with their first pick in the second round by selecting Russian right winger Dmitri Chernykh from Khimik Voskresensk. Chernykh came into the draft ranked 4th among European skaters by the Central Scouting Bureau.

courtesy russianprospects.com

Talent Analysis: Size & Physical Play: Standing at approximately 6’1 and 170 pounds, Dmitri Chernykh is an average sized winger. He is quick on the ice, but isn’t very aggressive.  Dmitri doesn’t play physical hockey, and will rarely make a hit. However, if he is hit, he has been known to have a mean streak and return the favor.

Skating: Dmitri is very active and quick on the ice. He has a good top speed, but could use some improvement in his technique. He is fast and has had many breakaways in the Upper League because of his speed.  In the spare time he trains with his father, Alexander Chernykh (a former player and 10th round draft pick of the New Jersey Devils in 1983 who was forced to retire in 1989 due to injuries suffered in an automobile accident). 

Shot: Chernykh’s weapon of choice is his wrist shot. His shot is usually precise, though not very powerful – something that should improve as he fills in the frame and gains upper body strength.  

Technical Skills: Dmitri has good hands. He handles the puck well and though he is only 17 – he is already one of the most technical players on his Upper League team full of adult players.  Chernykh’s stick handling is also above average.  

Hockey Sense: Dmitri sees the ice well for his age.  He interacts well with his linemates on the ice and can make some great set ups. When Chernykh is on the top of his game, he knows where to be and has many scoring chances.  One downside to Dmitri’s current game is that he tends to play by himself sometimes, trying to do everything on his own. On the big ice his speed let him get away with it thus far, but even in the Super League, not to mention the NHL, this will get him in serious trouble, if not on the injured reserve.   He can make great passes though and has been consistently learning to use his linemates better. There have been many occasions where Chernykh would make a great unselfish play, and his partner couldn’t finish the play.  

Defensive Play: Dmitri Chernykh plays a more Canadian style of hockey. Though he is a winger, he is very responsible defensively. He hasn’t been given much of a chance to play shorthanded.  

Mental Game: When given a chance to play early this season, Dmitri got the most out of it and succeeded in winning over the confidence of Khimik’s coaches.  He is a hard worker and the extra sessions with his father have definitely moved him along.  Chernykh plays on the fourth line and gets about 12-14 minutes in the first couple of periods. Still, when the time comes for the third period of a decisive game, he usually rides the bench.  

Overall: Dmitri is a quick, technical, average sized winger who also handles defensive responsibilities.  He needs to improve his skating and his physical game, including bulking up his 170 pound frame. Chernykh also needs to spread the puck a bit more.  Here it’s really all about motivation, as Dmitri has the talent and vision to make a great pass, just often prefers to streak away on breakaways, using his speed in the space around the boards on the large ice - the space that will rapidly disappear as he moves up in the hockey world.   

Back In Russia: Dmitri was born and raised in a hockey family, with his father, Alexander Chernykh recently retiring.  He has been raised to be a hockey player and has done quite well thus far in his career.    During the 2001-02 season, Dmitri did not really stand out from the other young players with Khimik.  He also suffered through a couple of minor injuries which irritated him throughout the season.   He spent most of the season playing for Khimik’s farm team Khimik 2 and did not really impress during the seven games he skated with the main club.  A stronger, more mature Chernykh rejoined Khimik during the 2002-03 pre-season. He impressed enough to stick with the big club and has been a mainstay on the team’s fourth line ever since, skating with Tampa Bay Lightning’s prospects Pavel Sedov and Alexei Gloukhov. Dmitri gets limited time on the powerplay and no time at all shorthanded.  As mentioned earlier, Chernykh rarely skates in the third period of important, close games, when Khimik usually shifts to three lines filled with older veteran players.    NHL: Dmitri is eligible for the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.  He is already a mature player with significant of experience of playing against adult players in Russia’s Upper League. He size does not impress, but his defensive play and overall speed definitely would make his a good prospect.  Chernykh is not a natural sniper, but would make a great third line two way forward with some scoring ability. His ability to create things is what makes him special.  This player has many tools and he utilizes them all, making him a hard puzzle to solve for defences. He would be a good pick in the third or fourth round of the draft, but could fall further due to his lack of exposure at the international level. If he doesn’t get an invitation to U18 WJC’s training camp, the only scouts who will truly know about him are those who scout the Upper League.

CSB: An active, quick skater with good top speed....excellent technical skill level....good hands....very good understanding of the game....has a good, accurate shot - not very hard but effective....knows his defensive duties - a good two way player....works hard on every shift, plays with intensity....not overly aggressive but does use his body when needed and does not shy away from the physical part of the game....active and involved on every shift....very good competitor....goes to the net hard.

islesinfo.com: Chernykh rose from 24th in the CSB mid-season ranking to 4th in the final ranking among European skaters.

Personal Profile: Comes from a hockey family....his father, Alexander, was a very good player in the Russian elite league....was one of the top performers at the Five Nations under-18 tournament in February and played some outstanding games at World Junior under-18 championships....improved considerably during the season.

Redline Report: 6/20/03

Dmitri Chernykh, RW, 6-0, 180, 2/27/85, Khimik (Russia): 29 GP, 5 G, 4 A, 9 PTS, 29 PIM

NHL Central Scouting's fourth-ranked European skater, there's a good chance he'll drop all the way out of the first round. The smallish winger is quick on his skates but avoids contact. He has good hands and an accurate shot and a hockey sense advanced for a player his age. That could come from being the son of a recently retired hockey player. Scouts question his fortitude since he saw little action in the third period of tight games with his Russian league team. He spent his first season at that level skating on a fourth line with Tampa Bay Lightning prospects Pavel Sedov and Alexei Gloukhov.

Second Round Report: 6/27/03
courtesy russianprospects.com
by Eugene Belaschenko

The Russian contingent needed to wait just three more picks until the New York Islanders representative called Dmitri Chernykh’s name. Chernykh, who rose through the CSB rankings to almost the very top, was clearly disappointed to be selected so low in the draft. However, as it is often the case, talented players ranked highly by scouting agencies are not guarantied to hear their name in the first round. A speedy winger with great skill and good size, Chernykh delivered a solid season prior to the draft. The son of a former Russian Elite league veteran also surprised some reporters by responding to their questions in good English, without the need for a translator. 

However, his attitude regarding being selected late in the draft was all over his face and clearly audible in his responses to the media. Attitude and heightened expectations may be the main issue with this prospect. Reportedly, the young winger left Khimik Voskresenk, the club that raised him and where his father played during his best years, stating that he has outgrown the organization and wanted to move on. Chernykh signed with CSKA Moscow and will now compete under the tutelage of the legendary Viktor Tikhonov.  It is unlikely that the iron handed Russian coach will tolerate any insubordination, so, despite the way it was carried out, the young wingers transfer from Khimik to CSKA may have been just what the doctor ordered.

Islanders Scouting Report:

A late-riser on the draft charts, Chernykh is excellent on the powerplay thanks to his strong vision--which enables him to get into prime scoring position. He utilizes his teammates well and is very creative in the offensive zone with his smooth skating. Chernykh also has the ability to change directions on a dime to avoid defenders.

Chernykh played this past season with Khimik in the Russian League, where he had five goals and nine points in 29 games with as many penalty minutes. At the Under-18 World Championships, Chernykh tallied four goals in six games for Team Russia.

"I know teams say this a lot," said European scout Anders Kallur. "But I was blown away by Chernykh still being available when we went in the second round. Our scouts and I have seen him a lot of times, and he gets better and better every time you see him. As happy as I was with the Nilsson pick, I put Chernykh in his class when it comes to skill and hockey sense and it wouldn't surprise me if Chernykh turns out to be as good as Nilsson, if not better."

The lefthanded shooting right wing is a speedy player who can wow fans out of their seats with fantastic one-on-one moves. In fact, the winger has that breakaway speed you'd want from a gifted offensive player, which is what the Islanders see in Chernykh. He played predominantly on the fourth line last season as his team was dominated by older players. But that's expected to change.

Chernykh projects as a goal-scorer. He, in fact, was rated higher than Nilsson by NHL Central Scouting. Chernykh possesses credible hockey bloodlines as his father Alexander played professionally in Russia.

islesinfo.com[6/25/03]: Dmitri Chernykh will not return to Khimik Voskresensk for 2003-04. In his words he "outgrew the level" of Khimik. He will join CSKA Moscow and learn under coach Viktor Tikhonov.