Isles Info:
Upper (pronounced ooh
- per) is considered by the Islanders to be in the
Claude Lapointe mold. The scrappy forward from
Kazahkstan, who just turned 24, has been known to get
under opposing players skins. The Islanders signed him
last summer(2000) and were impressed with him at
training camp. Upper went back to play in Russia for
2000-01 and is playing for Spartak Moscow for the
2001-02 season. Projected as a sleeper pick of 2000.
The Islanders feel he
took his game to another level in the Russian Elite
League in 1999-00. Gordie Clark, Islanders former chief scout,
said he saw Upper in a tournament and he was the best
goal scorer. Clark believes Dmitri has a real knack
around the net and could end up being a steal for the
Islanders. Upper adds depth at the center position in
the organization.
Played in one
preseason game for the Islanders against Philadelphia in
2000 going scoreless before returning to Russia.
2001-02 Update:
Had a career year with
Spartak Moscow scoring 16 goals and 25 points in 51
games. Currently is a group II free agent for the
Islanders. No word yet if he will be brought to camp for
the 2002-03 season. He may not have to be signed before
July 15th this time around since he had already signed
an NHL contract previously. Will turn 24 in July.
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