Maxim Afinogenov seems to excel when he's on the International Ice stage.

Russia's secret
weapon in Torino
By Randy Schultz | NHL.com correspondent
Feb. 16, 2006

When Buffalo Sabres right winger, Maxim Afinogenov, hits the Olympic ice in Torino, Italy hopefully his lightning speed won't melt the ice.

"God help the goalie that has to face Max one-on-one on a breakaway," said Sabres goaltender, Marty Biron. "Max has the ability to freeze the goalie in his tracks with his speed and moves. Just ask Miika Kiprusoff."

What Biron was referring to was a game the Sabres played in mid-January in Calgary against the Flames. Calgary was controlling the puck in the Sabres' end of the rink. Suddenly, Afinogenov intercepted a pass and took with the puck, streaking straight down the ice at Kiprusoff.

Almost on top of Kiprusoff, Afinogenov drags the puck to his right with the Calgary netminder moving in the same direction. Suddenly, the Sabre forward stops, and in one motion brings the puck back to his left, and pokes it into an empty net. Kiprusoff could only stand, looking at a celebrating Afinogenov in shock.

Afinogenov can only hope he can get the same opportunity again as a member of the Russian Olympic hockey team. Afinogenov seems to excel when he's on the International Ice stage. He will be participating in his second Olympics when he arrives in Italy. On top of that he has also played in two World Junior Championships with Russia, playing in a total of 14 games, scoring six goals and seven assists for 13 points.

Afinogenov admits that he never tires of the International scene.

"I was so happy about it," said Afinogenov," a native of Moscow. "There were so many guys on the roster to begin with, something like 50 guys. So I end up making the big team. It is a big honor for me. I'm pretty happy about it. I was in the last Olympics. The feeling is the same. You never get tired of it."

With all the great history of Russian hockey behind him, where does Afinogenov see this Russian team going in the Olympics?

"You know, I think we've got a pretty good team," said Afinogenov, 26, now in his sixth season in the NHL, all with the Sabres. "The Olympics are such a short tournament. Every game means something, from your first to your last. It will be tough in every game and you have to be up for it. Any team can come in and win a game and make an upset. Especially if they happen to have a hot goaltender. That's what you have to watch out for. You can't let down at any time.

"That's why I think this Russian team won't let down"

Playing on a bigger ice surface will certainly be to the Afinogenov's advantage. It will allow him to have more room to skate.

"Last year I played for Dynamo in the Russian League and I played on a big rink," remembered the six foot, 195-pound Afinogenov. "So when I go to the Olympics, it will be something I will get used to very quickly. It won't be a big change for me. I grew up playing on big ice surfaces."

Although Afinogenov doesn't know for sure who he will be playing with on what line, he feels it won't be a disadvantage.

"Everybody goes into the Olympics with the same advantage of not having played together before," stated the left-handed shooting Afinogenov, who was Buffalo's third-round choice, the 69th player taken overall, in the 1997 Entry Draft. "Every team will get a chance to practice for a couple of days before the Olympics begin. So we are all pretty equal."

Where does Afinogenov get all of that blazing speed that just seems to bring Sabres fans out of their seats when he skates down the ice with the puck?

"I really don't know," he said. "I've always had it. It's something I've never practiced. I work on developing my leg muscles."

It is something that amazes Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff.

"Max can really excite the fans," said Ruff, the only NHL coach Afinogenov has ever had. "It's been a pleasure to watch him develop as a player in the NHL.

"It's funny at times watching Max because you almost think sometimes with the speed he has and as fast as he is going, you wonder if he knows where he is going to end up on the ice. He makes so many twists and turns out there and still manages to keep control of the puck. He keeps the opposition's defense on their toes as well.

"You have to admit that it's hard trying to stop somebody with the speed of Max. About the only way you're going to do it is to take a penalty. And Max has certainly been able to draw his share of them."

Ruff also pointed out that in watching Afinogenov develop as a player, he has seen an evolution of sorts.

"I think when Max first came into the NHL, he really didn't play that much defensive hockey," said Ruff, now in his eighth season as coach of the Sabres, making him the longest tenured active coach in the NHL. "We worked on that a lot with him. Now, Max is able to play defensive. I can send him out there to check a line if necessary, or even kill penalties. And he can be deadly on the power play. He has a great shot and has learned to be a bit more selective and take his time when shooting the puck.

Afinogenov is one of the examples of what the Sabres are about this season, speed and quickness.

"Max is one of the examples of what the Sabres are about this season. Speed and quickness."

Jochen Hecht, a teammate of Afinogenov's on the Sabres, will be one of the first people on the team to tell you about Afinogenov's speed and abilities.

"It's really unbelievable how fast he really is," Hecht said. "It's even more amazing how quickly he can turn from left to right. He's a great puck handler and a great player."

While Hecht has never played much on the same line with Afinogenov, he does see a chemistry that has developed with Derek Roy.

"Derek and Max have developed some kind of chemistry since being put together," Hecht said. "They seem to find each other out there on the ice when they're skating together. They can read off each other pretty well."

Roy admits that it has been a thrill to play with the Russian born right-winger.

"He keeps me on my toes, that's for sure," said Roy. "Max has speed and when he takes off with the puck you better be there with him. We've gotten to know each other pretty well since being put together as linemates. And once I got to know Max and his ways on the ice, there has been no problem."

Sabres veteran defenseman Jay McKee, is glad he's on the "right" side of Afinogenov.

"I'm glad I don't have to face him with his speed," McKee said. "I've watched him turn some of the oppositions defensemen inside out. If there is one thing about Max it's the fact that if he gets a break on you and you're on your heals, it's all over. He'll be on a breakaway. It's fun to watch Max play out there. You never know what he's going to do. He's learned the little tricks of poke checking to get the puck away from the other player. Once he does that and you get behind him, again, it's all over.

"It's going to be fun watching Max in the Olympics. With a bigger ice surface to work on, it's only going to give him more room to skate. He's got the moves out there that can bring the fans to their feet. Goalies haven't quite figured out Max yet. I hope they never do. Which is why I'm glad I'm playing with him and not against him."