This message originally went to the Warriors list but may be of interest
here also.
 
--- begin forwarded text
 
Today's Eagle-Tribune has three articles by Billy Burt on the Valley Junior
Warriors and Alex Sikachev, the Russian who could be headed to Merrimack in
the fall of 1999.
 
Merrimack eyes ex-Red Army star playing for Lawrence team
http://www.eagletribune.com/news/stories/19981002/SP_001.htm
 
Area Junior club offers prospects high visibility
http://www.eagletribune.com/news/stories/19981002/SP_002.htm
 
The third article, about former VJW and current Warrior John Kovalsky, is
not in the online edition.
 
Sikachev, 20, is from St Petersburg, Russia, and arrived in the States on
Sept. 6 without knowing a word of English.  He played for the Central Red
Army for three years in the Russian Elite League.  In four games, he has 11
points on five goals and six assists.  Junior Warriors coach/GM Brian
Daccord (a former Merrimack assistant and hockey alumnus) says about
Sikachev, "He's awesome!  He can skate.  He can see the ice.  He can pass.
He can shoot.  He always seems to know where he's supposed to be...He's got
a ton of potential."
 
The article goes on to say that Sikachev has already been accepted
conditionally at Merrimack for next fall.  If he passes an English course
beginning Oct 13, he is in.
 
According to the Tribune, Sikachev lives in Peabody with Sergei and Sveta
Mikhno and their son Nikita.  Sikachev's parents contacted Sergei Mikhno
and asked him to take Sikachev in.  Mikhno, Sikachev's translator, said,
"He had some misunderstanding with his Central Red Army coach (Boris
Mikhailov).  He was sent down to the farm team for some of the games.  It
just wasn't going to work out.  So they asked me if I'd take him and help
him."
 
Burt writes, "He pursued the nearest Division I school to his home,
Merrimack College, and the rest is history."
 
There is no comment from Merrimack's staff, since Sikachev is a PSA
(prospective student athlete) and NCAA rules prohibit coaches from
commenting publicly on recruits.
 
If all goes well, next fall Sikachev will be wearing the navy blue, gold
and white of the Warriors in Hockey East.
 
--- end forwarded text
 
 
 
---                                                                   ---
Mike Machnik                [log in to unmask]               *HMM* 11/13/93
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