A day at the beach changes MIkhail Sergachev’s hockey path

By Erik Erlendsson | @Erik_Erlendsson | Like us on Facebook
June 16, 2017

What do 18-year-old Russian defensemen do after capturing a Memorial Cup championship?

Hanging out at a beach in Cyprus seems to be high on the list.

That’s where Mikhail Sergachev was on Thursday when he found out that he had just been dealt to the Tampa Bay Lightning. But it wasn’t Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman or Montreal GM Marc Bergevin who informed Sergachev that he was on the move.

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”Somebody texted me and said “Good luck in Tampa’’ and I was like, “What?”,’’ Sergachev told the team web site.

Sergachev then turned to the source of information most find their news nowadays – social media – to find out the context of that text. Sergachev learned he has just been dealt to the Tampa Bay Lightning in a deal that sent Jonathan Drouin to the Canadiens.

Less than a year after being selected with the ninth overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft, Sergachev was on the move.

”My reaction was like, I don’t know,” Sergachev said. “When I got drafted by the Habs, I was a big fan of them and I played for them. But then I got traded and first reaction . . . I was kind of frustrated and shocked but after that, it’s a new opportunity for me.’’

Sergachev made the opening day roster for the Canadiens last season but after appearing in just three games he was sent back to junior where he was a top blue liner for Windsor. He hopes that last season was his last in junior.

”I feel like I had enough juniors and I played a lot in juniors and I learned a lot in those two years,” Sergachev said. “I feel like this is my time to play in the NHL, and I’ll do my best and I’ll play my best to make the Lightning roster.’’

Due to his age, Sergachev can only play in one of two places next season – in Windsor or with Tampa Bay. Even with a condition of the trade predicted on the number of games Sergachev plays with the Lightning – if he plays fewer than 40, including the playoffs, Tampa Bay receives a second-round pick while sending the Canadiens a sixth round pick – Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said Sergachev will be given every opportunity to make the team this coming season.

”We’re going to give Mikhail an opportunity to make our team, we’re hopeful that he can,’’ Yzerman said. “But if not, he still has another year of eligibility in junior. We’ll worry about that in the fall.’’

Sergachev was not acquired necessarily to help out the team this season, even if he makes the team out of camp and sticks with the team. The move was made to bring in a young defensive prospect, a void in the Lightning’s otherwise deep pool of prospects.

After watching Sergachev for the past year, and in particular during the Memorial Cup last month, there is a strong belief that he fits exactly what the Lightning were seeking.

”He’s got good size, he’s very strong, he’s physical, he skates very well,’’ Yzerman said. “He’s got an excellent shot, he moves the puck well. We’re hoping that he can continue to be that type of player as he turns pro and do that in the NHL. We think he has a chance to play in all situations in this league.’’

While the Lightning are excited to add a defensive prospect the caliber of Sergachev – even at the cost of shipping Drouin to a division rival – Sergachev, after a little research, is equally excited to be joining the Lightning, a top favorite to contend for the Stanley Cup not just next season, but for the foreseeable future.

”I’ve heard a lot about the organization and they play fast hockey and they play offensive hockey,” Sergachev said. “They have some great players and they have a great coaching staff and management. It’s just awesome.’’

Though Sergachev is lounging on the beach this week on vacation, he will be in Tampa at the end of the month to attend the annual Lightning prospect camp, which is scheduled to open on June 27 at the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon.

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