Bobcats move "The Russian Rocket" into the attacking third

Wytheville VA – The Blue Ridge Bobcats have brought in the “Russian Rocket” with the signing of Pro Forward Vladislav Vlasov.

Vlasov comes to the Bobcats after playing in the VHL, the second-highest hockey league in Russia, for the past three seasons. 

Most recently Vlasov skated for the Dizel Penza seeing action in six games throughout the 2022-2023 season. Prior to his time in the VHL, he spent two seasons skating with Gornyak Rudny in Kazakhstan. During his 2020-2021 season, he earned 18 goals, seven assists, and 25 points in 46 games.

During the 23-year-old Moscow Russia native’s time in Juniors Vlasov spent three seasons in the MHL skating with Russkie Vityazi Chekhov and Tolpar Ufa (2017-2018), Omskie Yastreby (2018-2020), and MHK Dynamo St, Petersburg (2019-2020). He earned his best season with MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg with 11 goals, eight assists, and 17 points in 31 games.

Vlasov plays a heads-up fast-paced style of hockey, looking at the finishing plays of a transitioning forecheck to find the back of the net. An opportunity maker for the Bobcats as they look to face some difficult opponents this season.

His speed and explosiveness are some of the other reasons that Bobcats Head Coach Vojtech Zemlicka looked to grab the forward.

“Vladislav is going to be “The Russian Rocket” for us. He’s coming out of the VHL, that’s the 2nd top league in Russia, where you have a lot of Russian prospects playing along with experienced KHL players. Vladislav’s explosiveness, speed, and shot are out of this world. He’s got very good execution and composure with the puck so I am expecting Vladislav to create offense and put us on the board. We have a lot of playmakers on the team, but it’s tough to find a pure goal scorer and that’s who Vladislav is, he loves to score goals,” Zemlicka said.

You can catch Vladislav Vlasov and the rest of the Blue Ridge Bobcats for their home opener and the start of the inaugural season on Friday, October 20th at 7:30 p.m. inside the Apex Center. Don't miss any of the action this season and pick up your season tickets now at https://www.blueridgebobcats.com/tickets.

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