The intervention of officials left the team without a leader of attacks.
Recently, it has become harder for Russian players to play in foreign leagues. More and more pressure is on our hockey players due to the current political situation. Moreover, the level of skill and life position of athletes are often not taken into account.
Faced big problems playing in the West and one of the most talented Russian players of his generation, who was selected in the first round of the NHL Draft.
Even excellent statistics and the rejection of the flag of the motherland did not help the striker.
“The most promising player in his age”
Forward Nikita Shcherbak was considered in his youth one of the most promising Russians at his age. In 2014, Montreal selected the striker in the first round of the draft. Below him are Ivan Barbashev, Alex Nedelkovich and Thatcher Demko, who are now earning several million per season in the NHL. Among the Russians, Shcherbak was chosen at the highest number.
But the hockey player failed to play at a high level. He spent several seasons in the AHL, occasionally rising to the North American Major Leagues. As a result, by 2019, Nikita did not play 30 matches in the NHL, scoring a modest 7 (5 + 2) points.
After the end of the season, Shcherbak decided to move to the KHL, where he received a solid three-year contract from Avangard Omsk, who believed in the striker’s great potential. But after 17 inexpressive matches, they hurried to get rid of the striker. After that, he went to the “Tractor”, where he also did not flash.
Then Nikita again made an attempt to return to North America, trying to break into the NHL through the AHL. He signed with the Texas Stars, where, although he did not fail, he did not impress the Dallas bosses either.
In 2021, Shcherbak headed for the long Euro in Slovakia, where he already looked good at the local league level. This helped him get an offer from Czech Mountfield. The player completed the second part of the season in this team, then extended the contract for another season.
“This whole situation is really unpleasant.”
The start of the current regular season was excellent for Shcherbak. He scored 5 (1+4) points in five matches. At that time it was the best indicator in the team. But recently, Nikita’s work visa expired. The player, with the support of the team, applied for an extension of the document, but was refused.
Mountfield are losing their top scorer. Although the management of the Hradec Králové club has been strenuously seeking for many months the possibility of obtaining permission for Nikita Shcherbak to spend a whole year in the east of the Czech Republic, the current global situation has not allowed this. Thus, the 26-year-old forward played his last match against České Budějovice, saying goodbye to the Extraliga in style, scoring a goal against the opponents, the official press release says.in Mountfield».
At the same time, you need to understand that Shcherbak did everything to stay in the Czech championship. He even refused to wear the Russian flag on his helmet, peeling it off so as not to irritate local radical fans. But even this step did not help him win over the Czech officials.
The hockey player himself was sympathetic to the situation, warmly saying goodbye to teammates and fans.
– It was an absolute privilege to play in front of the fans from Hradec Kralove. The management, the coaching staff, the guys from the team and the incredible fans made my stay here very special. This whole situation is really unpleasant, but I will try to return in the future, – the official website of the club quotes the attacker.
It is reported that Shcherbak will be poisoned for the third time to conquer North America. But so far, nothing is known about specific proposals from overseas clubs to the striker from Russia.