Sergei Shirokov admits it hasn't been easy.
Shirokov, who started the season with the Vancouver Canucks after an eye-opening training camp, played his 49th game with the Manitoba Moose last night and 55th game in North America overall.
Like most young players, Shirokov has endured his share of ups-and-downs during his first stint in the American Hockey League.
"Now it's better," said Shirokov, who has led the Moose in scoring and points for almost the entire season. "At the start of the season, it was a little bit different for me. Different system, different system, different rinks. The first couple of months were not easy. Now I understand the team strategy more and I understand how to play. It's a little easier.
"Here there are lots of shots and in Russia, I try to make lots of passes. Here, you dump the puck in the corner and there are a lot of battles."
Strong finish?
After scoring 17 goals and 41 points in 56 games for CKSA Moscow last season, many expected Shirokov to take the AHL by storm and put up gaudy numbers.
While the offensive flair has been evident, the eye-popping totals aren't there just yet.
But Shirokov anticipates a strong finish to the season and might still approach the 30-goal plateau.
"It's not bad for my first season (in North America), maybe next year I'll get more points," said Shirokov, who has 16 goals and 34 points in 49 AHL games this season. "Every game I need to get more shots. I need to shoot every time I see the net."
While some expected a seamless transition for the Russian who played in the Kontinental Hockey League last season, Moose head coach Scott Arniel knew there would be some growing pains as Shirokov got his first taste of the North American game.
"There have been a lot of firsts for Sergei," said Arniel. "His first training camp and doing very well up there and having a chance to play in the NHL during the regular season. Like most young guys, he's been up-and-down.
"He's shown that high skill level and shown he has the ability to play at the next level. We've also seen where he's disappeared for stretches, where he's not moving his feet and he's not shooting the puck. He's kind of playing on the perimeter. When you play this many games, when you practice this much, you live on your own, being a professional is a grind and mentally there's a lot to it."
Shirokov, 23, has done a good job picking up English and Arniel says there have been no problems when it comes to communication.
Shirokov will be counted on during the stretch drive as the Moose look to cement their playoff status.
"He's a rookie but he's an older rookie and we need him to be at the top of his game all the time," said Arniel.
Moose centre Marco Rosa has played alongside Shirokov for much of the campaign and sees a bright future for the shifty right-winger.
"He's looked real good here," said Rosa. "When he gets the puck in front of the net here, he's a goal scorer and it's just natural for him. When he shoots the puck, when he's 1-on-1 with a goalie or a D-man, he's dangerous.
"That's the way he's going to be in the NHL. It's just a matter of time before he makes that step."
ken.wiebe@sunmedia.ca
