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Learning curve keeps increasing for Alexeev

The rookie handled English, skating and family problems at a young age. NHL camp has been no different.

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 16, 2001

[Times photo: Dirk Shadd] Lightning rookie Nikita Alexeev, a first-round draft pick last year, scored twice in his first two scrimmages.

BRANDON -- The blood from a gash on Nikita Alexeev's forehead and nose stained the bandage that eventually will give way to three stitches.

Someone mentioned that the injury, caused by a deflected puck during Saturday's scrimmage at the Ice Sports Forum, looked like it hurt.

Alexeev seemed pleased. Not because the cut represented a red badge of courage for a 19-year-old prospect trying to make it in the NHL, but because -- now get this -- "the girls will like it."

Asked if he knew this first-hand, Alexeev said no. He was just going by what he was told by some obviously mischievous Lightning teammates.

"That's what they said to me, I don't know," Alexeev said. "They said it's cute."

There is nothing cute about the way Alexeev has conducted himself during the first week of training camp. Impressive is more like it.

The left wing is carving out a spot. With two goals in his first two scrimmages, Alexeev was given a turn Saturday with center Brad Richards and right wing Martin St. Louis, both of whom likely will be on the No. 1 line with Fredrik Modin.

The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Russian responded. He clanged one shot off the post and showed good awareness of where he is supposed to be on the ice.

His one slip-up? He let the puck slide off his stick before getting off a shot on a breakaway during a scrimmage-deciding shootout.

"I had a little bit of a headache," Alexeev said, laughing. "But there are no excuses."

Alexeev began skating at 2. He said his father, Sergey, insisted he play hockey, something for which he always will be grateful.

Alexeev's love of the sport never waivered, even when his parents' divorce left the 14-year-old "p----- off" and confused. Even while living with his father, who had a drinking problem.

"I used to take care of him and put him to bed so he wouldn't do anything stupid," said Alexeev, adding that the problem has since been addressed. "It was a lesson. I saw my dad and the problems he had. I didn't want to be like him."

So at 16, Alexeev, who said he has an excellent relationship with his parents, came to North America to play hockey.

He was a quick study. Alexeev said he learned English in about three months. After two seasons with Erie of the OHL, the Lightning selected him with the No. 8 overall pick of the 2000 draft.

The 31 goals and 41 assists he had in 64 games for Erie last season signaled he might be ready for the NHL. Alexeev, who in April signed a three-year, $3.225-million deal, has no doubt he can make the daunting jump from juniors.

"I think I'm ready for this, mentally and physically," he said.

An excellent skater, his game is one of speed and quickness, and he hasn't slowed despite dislocating his left kneecap during the OHL playoffs. He doesn't mind playing defense, and he knows some of the game's subtleties.

Badgered by a defender in a corner during a scrimmage, Alexeev shielded the puck with his body and sent a pass into the slot.

"He's a very bright player," coach John Tortorella said. "He has a lot of the things you need to play in the NHL. Whether he can do it consistently, that is what we want to see here."

He saw a good bit of it Saturday as Alexeev kept up with Richards and St. Louis.

"That was a big deal for me to play with those guys," Alexeev said. "They were fast, but I like speed. I just have to get used to what they want to do."

"It was kind of exciting to play with him," Richards said. "There's lots of upside at 19 years old. He just has to fit into the team and play his game."

And maybe not take everything his teammates say so seriously.

LIGHTNING TRAINING CAMP

WHEN: The team practices at 10 a.m. daily through Sept. 25 except today (1 p.m. practice and 2 p.m. scrimmage at Ice Palace), Thursday (off day), Saturday (game in Houston) and Sept. 23 (noon). Schedule subject to change.

WHERE: Ice Sports Forum, Brandon. Take the Selmon Expressway to Faulkenberg Road exit near Brandon. Turn left on Faulkenberg and follow through the intersection at Adamo Drive. Turn right on second street (Elizabeth) after Adamo.

ADMISSION: Practices are free and open to the public. A Sept. 26 scrimmage at the Ice Palace is open only to season-ticket holders.

PRESEASON SCHEDULE: Tuesday vs. Ottawa at Halifax, Nova Scotia, 6 p.m.; Wednesday vs. Columbus at Syracuse, N.Y., 7:30 p.m.; Saturday vs. Washington at Houston, 8:30 p.m.; Sept. 28 vs. Florida at Ice Palace, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 29 at Florida, 7:30 p.m.

AUTOGRAPH TIPS: Players often sign after practices. Be prepared with pen and paper or photo. Players will sign after Sept. 26 scrimmage.

TRAINING CAMP ROSTER (* non-roster invitees): A Camp: Left wings -- Nikita Alexeev, Dave Andreychuk, Gordie Dwyer, Fredrik Modin, Juha Ylonen. Centers -- Martin Cibak, Brian Holzinger, Vinny Lecavalier, Brad Richards, Vinny Prospal, Tim Taylor. Rights wings -- Matthew Barnaby, Ben Clymer, Jimmie Olvestad, Martin St. Louis, Jeff Nielsen*. Defensemen -- Mathieu Biron, Jassen Cullimore, Mike Jones, Pavel Kubina, Kristian Kudroc, Stan Neckar, Grant Ledyard, Nolan Pratt, Cory Sarich, Petr Svoboda, Andrei Zyuzin. Goaltenders -- Nikolai Khabibulin, Kevin Weekes.

B Camp: Left wings -- Dmitry Afanasenkov, Aaron Lobb, Kenton Smith, Ryan Tobler. Centers -- Johan Hagglund, Eric Schneider*, Jean-Francois Soucy, Thomas Ziegler. Right wings -- Evgeni Artukhin, Matt Elich, Sheldon Keefe, Gaetan Royer*, Brad Yeo*. Defensemen -- Henrik Bergfors, Aaron Gionet, Andreas Holmqvist, Kyle Kos, Mikko Kuparinen, Marek Priechodsky, Remi Royer*, Jeremy Van Hoof. Goaltenders -- Dieter Kochan, Evgeny Konstantinov, Michal Lanicek, Robert McVicar*.

INFORMATION: Call (813) 301-6500.

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