KHL Medvescak’s 25-Man Roster Complete

Last week, KHL Medvescak Zagreb completed signing their first 25 players.  KHL rules allow each team to have 25 players on their active roster and 10 additional players on an affiliate club.  At last word from team spokesperson Ranko Vucinic, they were under negotiations with two teams from the EBEL Liga to establish an affiliation, but would not make further comments on the status of negotiations.  The team also stated they may not be done signing additional players, meaning several of these players could end up on the affiliate club or elsewhere.  Medvescak is also considering tryout contracts for some players, but nothing is imminent at this time.  

The biggest name signed to the roster currently is former 93-point San Jose Shark forward Jonathan Cheechoo.  The team has people who can play the center position, but no "true" centers at this point.  Faceoffs could be an issue, but who will be in the circle for games is yet to be determined.  The sky is the limit when it comes to potential scorers if the chemistry can come together on the ice.

Cheechoo could have a lot of help with experienced forwards Boyd Kane and Brian Willsie helping to feed him the puck, much like Joe Thornton during the San Jose years.  These two players were under Coach Mark French with the AHL Hershey Bears and will help steer the ship in the right direction.  Barry Brust and Mark Dekanich will share keeper duties, though a starter has not been named yet.  Brust, though considered to be temperamental, is likely the front runner.  He still holds the AHL record for longest time without allowing a goal and was considered for a possible return to the NHL before signing on with Zagreb.  Dekanich has been solid in goal also, but has to overcome a previous ankle surgery, though his workout regiment indicates he is at 100% (88 kilo front squats were mentioned in a recent tweet:  Demolished from my @envision_fit workout today. 195lbs front squats, one arm pushies...Just woke up from a siesta on the couch.)

— Mark Dekanich (@dexshow) July 15, 2013 " target="_blank">tweet).

The team re-signed veteran defenders and Captain Alan Letang and Swiss/Croat Sasa Martinovic, along with several Canadian defenders with Croatian heritage.  

Medvescak is almost entirely made up of players with North American experience and limited playing time in Europe.  This was the goal of the club--to create a North American focused squad, including players of Croatian heritage.  While several teams play on North American sized rinks (including Medvescak), it is hard to know how the team will play against Russian squads on larger ice surfaces.  Moreover, the team includes several feisty players, including the aforementioned Brust, Kane and former #12 NHL Entry Draft overall pick Hugh Jessiman.  Will the more aggressive play lead to some tension with European referees?  Time will tell, but the season is shaping up to be a fun one.

The Medvescak roster and player profiles can be seen here.

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