Saskatoon Blades’ Russian import Mark Rubinchik already speaks English very well but stays humble on the ice.
In the Western Hockey League (WHL), each team can have a maximum of two European players on the roster. Rubinchik is joined by fellow Blades defenceman Libor Hájek from the Czech Republic.
Most of these players come to the league speaking very little English. Rubinchik is an exception and explains why in his interview with Global’s Ryan Flaherty.
Rubinchik earned a bronze medal at the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament with Team Russia.
He was drafted by the Blades with the seventh overall pick in the 2016 CHL Import Draft. The 18-year-old is in now his second season with Saskatoon.
His first career goal came on the road against the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Nov. 1.
The Blades host the Moose Jaw Warriors on Wednesday at SaskTel Centre.
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