Evgeny Tunik

2006-07 Update: April Update: Evgeny Tunik returned to play for Crystall Elektrostal of the Vysshaya Liga in Russia, the same team he played for in 2004-05 before joining Bridgeport in 2005-06. Tunik must have been just a fourth liner for Elektrostall, because he only put up 6 points in 34 games played this season. He recorded 5 points in only 12 games played with the team in 2004-05.

Evgeny Tunik scored a goal for Crystall Elektrostal on Dec. 21st in a 3-1 win.

According to eurohockey.net, Evgeny Tunik is currently playing for Crystall Elektrostal of the Vysshaya Liga, a second division Russian League. he scored a goal on Dec. 21st in a 3-1 win.

2005-06 Update: May 1, 2006 Update: Evgeny Tunik recorded 2 assists in 6 games played with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers during the Month of April. He assisted on the game winning goal by Peter Tsimikalis in Bridgeport's 2-1 win vs. the Hartford Wolf Pack April 8th. Tunik was scratched for Bridgeport's final regular season game in Hartford April 15th with a groin injury. He did not play in the Sound Tigers playoff series vs. the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Tunik was definitely benefited by leaving Russia and joining the Sound Tigers and perhaps this will be a building block to an increased role in 2006-07 for the Russian Tank.

April 1, 2006 Update: Evgeny Tunik had his best month of the season going 2-2-4 in 8 games played during the month of March with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Was a healthy scratch on March 4th, 10th and 11th. Scored the first goal in a 6-3 win at the Hartford Wolf Pack March 25, 2006.

March 1, 2006 Update: Evgeny Tunik recorded an assist in 10 games played during the month of February with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Scratched 3 out of 4 games: February 11th, 15th, 17th. The assist came on February 4th on a game winning goal by Robert Nilsson in a 4-1 win vs. the Providence Bruins. Is often in and out of the lineup. Tunik has shown some flashes of potential but often takes bad penalties.

February 1, 2006: Evgeny Tunik scored 1 goal in 10 games played during the month of January. He missed the first three games of the month and six games total after getting hit in the nose with a puck during a practice late in December. In his return January 11th, Tunik scored his second goal of the season in a 4-3 shootout loss vs. the Hartford Wolf Pack.

January 1, 2006 Update: Evgeny Tunik did not record a point in 11 games played during the month of December. He missed the final three games of the calendar year after suffering vision problems as the result of getting hit in the nose by the puck during practice earlier in the final week of December.

December Update: Recorded his first AHL points with 2 assists in a 7-5 loss vs. the Manchester Monarchs November 4, 2005. Scored his first AHL goal November 13, 2005 in a 5-1 win vs. the Lowell Lock Monsters. Recorded 10 points in 13 games played during the month of November. Was a nominee for AHL player of the week on November 14, 2005.

Made his Sound Tiger debut on October 15, 2005 in a 5-4 Bridgeport win at Binghamton. Tunik is wearing #50.

Highlights: 

* Named third star with 2 assists in 6-1 win vs. Binghamton Senators November 6, 2005.

* Named third star with assist in 2-1 win at Springfield Falcons November 12, 2005.

* Named first star with a goal(GW) and an assist in 3-2 win at Providence Bruins March 17, 2006

SHORTHANDED SOUND TIGERS BEAT P-BRUINS 3-2
Rally from 2-0 deficit for first-ever win in Providence - 3/17/06

Evgeny Tunik, who earned a power play for the Sound Tigers in the first period, drew another call just shy of the mid-point of the second period, but the Sound Tigers never made it to the advantage because Jeff Hamilton rifled home his 23rd goal of the season to cut the deficit to 2-1 at the 9:52 mark with Matt Koalska and Tunik notching the assists on the play.

After netminder Wade Dubielewicz, who made 35 saves in the game, came up with several big stops, Harlan Pratt moved the puck to Cole Jarrett who then chipped on the right wing to Joe Tallari who pulled up and floated a pass into the slot where Tunik jammed home his third goal of the season with 2:33 left to play giving the Sound Tigers their first lead of the evening at 3-2.

Tunik was the first star of the game, Nickulas the second and Masse the third. The Sound Tigers were 0 for 4 on the power play and won despite being outshot 37-17. Providence was 1 for 8 on the advantage.

More: And streaking down the slot was Evgeny Tunik, who was only playing because eight players were on recall, and who was only on the ice with 2:33 remaining because the recalls had Bridgeport down to 15 skaters. Tunik, little-used, frequently scratched, with only two prior North American goals, one of which went off his foot, the other of which he scored into an open net off a weird bounce: Tunik slapped home the rebound for the winning goal in a spectacular 3-2 win at Providence.

Sound Tigers adjusting to new surroundings
By Kimber Auerbach - theahl.com - January 24, 2006

Young hockey players from different European countries dream of one day traveling to North America to play in the NHL. A major factor they often overlook is that the English language is spoken in North America. Bridgeport Sound Tigers forward Evgeny Tunik has realized that learning the language is important to be able to survive.

Tunik took the time to answer questions to the best of his ability, trying to comprehend the questions to come up with a relative answer. It was easier for him to read the question off a piece of paper instead of hearing it.

“I have learned a lot from the guys. I don’t have a teacher but the guys help me,” Tunik said. “Going to malls or grocery stores has helped me to get out into life and learn English.”

Tunik was born in Elektrostal, Russia, in 1984 and lived there his whole life before coming to the United States to play for the Sound Tigers this year. Tunik played for St. Petersburg SKA and for Crystall Elektrostal in Russia's Vysshaya Liga.

The New York Islanders selected Tunik 53rd overall in the second round in the 2003 NHL Draft.

Growing up in Russia, Tunik studied English as a part of the standard curriculum.

“Taking classes in Russia, they teach English but it’s very bad,” Tunik said.

Russia is not the only European country requiring their students to learn the English language in the school system.

“We are required to take English classes in Finland to learn the language in third grade,” Bridgeport teammate Masi Marjamaki, born in Pori, Finland, said. “Then I was in Canada for about six months playing junior hockey and I was able to catch on, and it’s been going great ever since.”

Sound Tigers left wing David Masse was born in Montreal, one of the largest French-speaking cities in the world, and relates well to Tunik since he did not speak English when he started playing in the U.S. a few years ago. Masse is Tunik’s roommate and has tried to help him adjust to the American customs that he has acquired.

“Living with him, I try to do everything I can to help him out with the language and in society,” Masse said. “He’s taught me a little Russian, so we have a good time.”

On the ice, Tunik is able to relax and let his hockey skills do all the talking for him. Matt Koalska has been Tunik’s linemate throughout most of the season and says he has enjoyed every second playing with his highly skilled Russian center.

“I am able to understand hockey words out on the ice,” Tunik said. “In the locker room I am able to listen to coach and see what he writes on the board which helps me to understand.”

Koalska said that when Tunik steps onto the ice, his talents explode from his quick hands to his exceptional ability to read the play.

However, Tunik does not credit his improved play this year to gradually starting to understand English, saying that they are two completely different things to him.

Joel Bouchard, like Masse, grew up in Montreal, speaking only French. Bouchard agrees with Tunik that a player’s skill level does not improve when he is able to speak the common language.

“Speaking the language just makes for an easier transition to normal life in society. Having that can boost anyone’s self-confidence,” Bouchard said. “Once you’re happy off the ice it usually transfers onto the ice and can make you feel more comfortable. Hockey is a fun game and to be able to speak the language makes it that much more fun and enjoyable.”

Tunik has enjoyed every minute of his experience playing in the AHL. He has a goal and nine assists in 27 games this season. Tunik looks at learning the English language as just another skill to master and perfect like his hockey skills.

If Tunik continues to improve at the English language and on the ice with his skills, he hopes he’ll soon be skating along side another Russian countryman on Long Island, Alexei Yashin.

Coming to America
trial and error, Tunik learns game, culture By MICHAEL FORNABAIO 
The Connecticut Post - Nov. 16, 2005

BRIDGEPORT — There's an outgoing kid in Evgeny Tunik dying to get out. He's always got a greeting, willing to talk even if he's still learning English. The other day after practice, the Russian forward sat down to tape a joke for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers' "Comedy Night" at their game at the Arena at Harbor Yard. He read the one about the wooden car with the wooden engine and wooden wheels. "Wooden go," he said into the camera.

Tunik, who turns 21 today, hasn't shied away from giving anything a try, on or off the ice. And like his English, his play keeps getting better after a month in North America. After going three games without a point at the start of his Bridgeport tenure, Tunik had a goal and seven assists in the next six going into Wednesday night's game against Philadelphia. "He is fearless," coach Dave Baseggio said. "He gets his hits every game."

"His personality, he's fitting in," Baseggio said. "He's looking to be involved with the guys, and the guys have embraced him."

The Tunik file WHO — Evgeny Tunik AGE — 21 VITALS — 6-2, 200 POSITION — Forward SHOOTS — Left RESUME — Second-round draft pick of the New York Islanders in 2003. ... Signed an AHL deal with Bridgeport on Oct. 7. ... Grew up outside Moscow. ... Had a goal and seven assists in nine games going into Wednesday night.

Sound Tigers overpower Senators - 11/7/05
by Michael Fornabaio - connpost.com

BRIDGEPORT — The normal names all got onto the scoresheet in the Bridgeport Sound Tigers' 6-1 win Sunday afternoon over the Binghamton Senators. It's all the other names that might show how far Bridgeport has come this week.

Tunik's forecheck helped win back the puck on the first goal, a Collins power-play blast 2:16 into the game. Tunik assisted on Marjamaki's first-period goal — scrapping with Danny Bois, too — and assisted on Bruno Gervais' goal that capped the scoring. "I like to play with the puck, and forecheck is my game, too. I like the forecheck," Tunik said.

EVGENY TUNIK, BRIDGEPORT — Two assists and continues to improve.

- This was a good move my the Islanders organization and the decision was helped along by the Islanders new scout and part time system coach Sergei Nemchinov. Tunik's development has been hampered the last couple of years playing in Russia and he has not received much ice time at all. Last season he saw action in only 4 games for St. Petersburg SKA. He also spent part of last season with St. Petersburg's third-level team, as well as Neftyanik Leninogorsk and Crystall Elektrostal in Russia's Vysshaya Liga.  He split the 2003-04 season between both St. Petersburg clubs posting three goals, two assists, five points and 26 penalty minutes in 34 contests with the top team. During the previous three years (2000-2003), Tunik played for Elemash Elektrostal's Vysshaya Liga and third-level teams. He also skated for Russia at the 2004 World Junior Championships and the 2002 Under-18 Championships.

- At some point the Islanders may want to make a decision to do the same with fellow 2003 second round draft choice RW Dmitri Chernykh, who has also had his development hampered as he's been passed around to various Russian leagues and levels.

Sound Tigers Notebook 10/8/05: TUNE UP — The Bridgeport Sound Tigers signed Evgeny Tunik, a big forward who was the parent New York Islanders' second-round draft pick in 2003, to an AHL contract Friday. The lefty centerman, 20, goes 6-foot-2, 200 pounds. "He probably won't play this weekend, unless we need him," coach Dave Baseggio said. "He's a pretty high draft pick. He's big, and he's supposedly got skill."

Notebook 3/23/06: Evgeny Tunik, No. 50 — "I don't know. I wanted 27, but Paul (Camelio), the equipment manager, said it was taken (Wyatt Smith). I just said '50.' I don't know why."

NHL.com Futures
March 16, 2005

Islanders Head Amateur Scout Tony Feltrin: "Like Robert Nilsson, Evgeny Tunik has bounced around for playing time. He's a big, talented kid that when he applies himself, has the skills to play. Whether it will all come together is to be determined."

Isles select "Russian Tank" C Evgeny Tunik 53rd

The Islanders have selected their second player in a row from Russia with C Evgeny Tunik from Elektrostal. This was the Islanders second pick of the second round with another coming up at 59th. So far the Islanders have concentrated on forwards and have gone exclusively European.

Talent Analysis: 
Size and Physical Play: At almost 6’3 and 200 pounds, Evgeny is a big guy.  Ivan doesn’t tend to mix it up physically too much, but doesn’t shy away from contact when he is in traffic.  He plays aggressive hockey and goes through people.  Evgeny also fights very hard next to the boards and is very effective in retrieving the puck.  

Shot: Evgeny has a very strong shot.  He is a blistering wrist shot with a fast release.  He shoots hard and shoots often. This is Ivan’s strength and his weakness – he doesn’t pass much, so instead he shoots the puck.  He is a sniper and is good at what he does – lately scoring one or two goals a game. 

Skating: This year Evgeny has greatly improved his skating. Last year he was a bit off balance and slow, but he appears to have adjusted to his large frame.  He now has solid balance and impressive lateral movement.  Evgeny still possesses only average speed, but his overall speed has improved and at times he suprises people with an unexpected burst of speed.  While on defense, Evgeny is an average skater backwards due to his size, but improved in this category as well over the past year. 

  Technical Skills: Evgeny likes to do everything himself, but can back up this style of hockey with an impressive array of skills.  He has great, soft hands and is a great puck handler, able to go right through people without appearing to do much.  Tunik seems to see things other people don’t and make decisions that people don’t understand until he comes out the other end with the puck.  He is unpredictable and very creative with the puck. He also has a great reaction and can make quick decisions on the fly and react.  Evgeny appears to be fixated on the net and doesn’t really have a solid hockey sense for where his linemates are located.  His vision of the ice and creativity does allow him to make the individual accomplishments he is making, but he doesn’t pass the puck often, which makes him more predictable and less dangerous for the opposition.  He has to learn to share the puck and expand his solid vision of the ice to follow his linemates and help his team score, not just himself. 

  Defense: Evgeny is dedicated defensively, but his efforts produce only average results.  He doesn’t read the opponent’s offense too well, but tries very hard and very rarely does the other team score against Elemash while he is on the ice.   He is very aggressive and doesn’t hesitate to lay a body on the opponent next to the boards. He tries to play the body in the open ice, but usually uses his reach to stop the opposition. 

  Mental Game: Evgeny is a very aggressive and upbeat person. He doesn’t get down on himself no matter what and is not usually phased by losing – which is important considering that he plays for one of the worst teams in the Upper League. 

  Overall: Evgeny is a very strong winger who strengths are his size, soft hands, solid shot and great creativity.  The areas where Evgeny needs to continue to improve are his skating, his awareness of his linemates, with whom he needs share the puck more often. 

Back In Russia: Evgeny has been born and raised in Elektrostal and has played his whole career for Elemash. He spent most of the 2001-02 season with Elemash’s main team.  He started the season with Elemash’s junior farm team, Elemash 2.  He played well there, averaging about goal per game, and towards the middle of the season he was promoted to Elemash’s main team.  He spent the rest of the season on Elemash’s roster and played on the team’s third line, managing to notch five goals.  Evgeny improved his game significantly over the course of the year and his position on the team was also helped by the departure of several key players from Elemash to Super League teams.  As a result of his improvements and roster losses, Evgeny emerged after the 2002-03 season training camp as one of the team’s leaders.  His production has been steadily increasing and he had several multi goal games in late September and October. 

International Competition: Unfortunately for Evgeny, the rules of international competition split up the teams by the year they were born in, and since he was born in late ’84, he had to compete with players who were almost a full year older then him.  His skills were still recognized and he made a solid impact in his limited role on the Russian U18 National team at the U18 WJC and at the 5 Nations Tournament in Tyumen.  This year, Evgeny will likely get a lot more ice time on the U18 squad, that is, until he turns 18 late November.  He will continue playing on the ’84 team, but will be unable to compete at the U18 WJC.  So, unless he makes Russia’s U20 team, which is a possibility, it appears that Elektrostal shall be Evgeny’s main arena to showcase his skills to the NHL scouts. 

NHL: Tunik is eligible for the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. With his size and array of skills, Evgeny Tunik could become a solid NHLer.  His upside is two way second line winger and a specialist of playing in uneven situations.  His development has been in the fast lane since the end of last year and if he continues to have success in the Upper League, his draft position should steadily increase. In addition, it appears that, while Evgeny’s upside is significant, he does seem to lack the speed and hockey sense possessed by some other peers on his team, like Ivan Khomutov.  His late ’84 birth date does hurt his national team chances, but he shouldn’t be counted out.  The biggest improvement Evgeny can make over the course of this year is to share the puck more often with his line mates.  This would be a key improvement that could elevate him straight into the second or possibly late first round. At this point he seems to have solid second or third round pick, but will likely move up if he continues to rip up the Upper League the way he is right now – in the four games he played early in the October, he scored six goals.  Several NHL scouts have already visited Elektrostal to watch him play.

CSB: His skating has improved considerably during the 2002-03 season....good speed and good balance....moves well for his size....high skill level....very good stickhandler....a creative offensive minded winger who can make quick, good decisions....soft hands and a good solid shot....likes to shoot as much as possible....could work on his passing and playmaking....big, strong player....good competitor, works hard....likes to play an aggressive style of hockey....effective and strong along the boards and in the corners....usually comes out as a winner from one on one situations....two way player, well aware of his defensive duties....good reach.

One of our choices for top performers from the two Russian rendezvous is Evgeny Tunik, the big Russian tank who plowed through the competition in St. Petersburg so easily it was as though the Iraqi military was providing the opposition. Tunik was always a physical, aggressive player, but now he has grown to about twice the size we remember and his increased leg strength shows in a vastly improved skating stride. 

Mark our words: It would not surprise to see him go in the first half of the first round.

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

After selecting Chernykh, the New York Islanders used another second round pick to select Russian forward, Evgeny Tunik. A hulking forward with great hands, Tunik was very pleased to be selected in the second round and by the same club as Chernykh. The two forwards signed with CSKA and will be playing together with the Super League club next season. Elektrostal’s best sniper this past season, the ’84 born Tunik certainly made up for being too old to compete on Russia’s U18 squad by putting up many goals in Russia’s Upper League. He also performed quite well at the first warm up tournament of Russia’s 2004 U20 squad in St. Petersburg, where he was tournament’s top sniper.

2002-03 Season Recap: Pre-Draft
courtesy russianprospects.com

#6 Evgeny Tunik

2002-03: Overall, Tunik’s season was successful. He was one of Elemash’s top snipers and effectively showcased his skills for the scouts visiting Elektrostal. Unfortunately, despite trying twice to elevate his game to the next level and join a Super League team (first, Spartak in September, and then CSKA in November), he failed each time and returned to Elemash. The biggest knock on Tunik this past season has been consistency, which is something he will have to learn with age and playing experience. He showed up for some games and took others off. That is not surprising, however, considering that Elemash players do not get paid and the motivation is to win more then lose, not to win a title. The talented forward was invited to Vyzov Cup in St. Petersburg, the first warm up tournament for the 2004 U20 WJC, and was named the tournament’s top sniper. 

2003 NHL Entry Draft: Tunik has scored high marks with many scouts and has been boosted by some to be a first round pick.  Though he will not be a first round selection, Tunik will likely go early in the second.  With Zherdev’s hands, and a 6’2 big frame, he has a great upside and a club is bound to select him early.

Outlook: Though Viktor Tikhonov did not add Tunik to CSKA’s roster this past winter, he will give the young winger another chance next season.  Tunik signed a deal with CSKA this summer and will likely skate on the club’s fourth line in the upcoming season. The main area where he would need to improve to effectively compete in the Super League would be his skating. It remains to be seen if he can raise that aspect of his game. If he does, he will be a very dangerous player. 

HockeyJournal.com[5/28/03]: Watch out for the latest model Russian tank, left winger Evgeny Tunik, who has come out of left field for just about everyone except the Red Line Report, which consistently had him in its top 50 all season long. Tunik, an outstanding player who can skate, hit and score, devastated the competition at the Under-20 tourney in St. Petersburg in April. With his increases in size, strength and skating stride, he may very well go in the top 20 picks of the first round and would be a welcome addition for the Bruins should they be the ones to snag him. by Kirk Luedeke, New England Hockey Journal Bruins Draft Preview

Islanders Scouting Report:

Tunik is one of those prospects who could become a big-time player as well. He is, however, definitely a diamond in the rough. Tunik possesses a quality scoring touch with his soft hands around the net, but needs to use his quality strength and size more consistently.

"Incredible skill," said Kallur of Tunik. "There are things he needs to work on, but one-on-one he's very gifted. To get him where we got him was excellent value. I am a very happy man today."

Tunik, a righthanded shot, tallied 14 goals and 24 points in 42 contests with Elemash Elektrostal in the same Russian League as Chernykh. Tunik's strength is his nose for the net and big frame. Tunik has a very broad build and, when he understands how he can use it on a shift-by-shift basis, could become a very effective power forward at the NHL level.

islesinfo.com: The Islanders gained this pick from the Washington Capitals via the Edmonton Oilers as part of the Janne Niinimaa - Brad Isbister deal. Tunik will leave Elamash Elektrostal for 2003-04 and join CSKA Moscow, where he will be a teammate of fellow Islander second round pick Dimitri Chernykh.

- Tunik was born on 11/17/84. On that night the Islanders defeated the Rangers 10-4 at the Nassau Coliseum. It is the last time the Islanders have scored 10 goals in a game.

- At 6'2" and 198 pounds, with room to grow, Tunik has often been described as a Russian Tank after displaying a physical dominance in several tournaments. He has a very good ability of coming away with the puck from pileups.