Summer Spotlight: Voronkov brings size, scoring ability

Number:10

Birth date:Sept. 10, 2000 (age 22)

Birthplace: Angarsk, Russia

Height, Weight:6-4, 190

2022-23 Stats (Ak Bars Kazan, KHL):54 GP, 18-13-31

Contract:Signed through 2024-25 season (Two years remaining until RFA status)

There are always many variables at play when a player arrives from overseas to try to make it in the NHL.

Off the ice, there is a major adjustment to be had, as a player is moving to a new continent and into an unfamiliar environment. On the ice it's an even bigger change, as a player now is competing against the very best in the world on a nightly basis.

In other words, you never quite know how the transition is going to go, but the odds seemed to be in favor of Dmitri Voronkov becoming a success at the highest level.

The big Russian forward has checked off every box to this point. He's become a KHL mainstay over the past four seasons with Ak Bars Kazan, totaling a 37-37-74 line in 182 games and reaching both a conference final and a Gagarin Cup final. He's pulled on the Russian sweater in international competitions, including earning a silver medal with the squad at the 2022 Olympic Games.

Perhaps best of all, Voronkov plays the kind of game that can translate anywhere, as he uses his massive frame to get to the net, win physical battles and wear down the opposition while not being afraid to drop the gloves.

Add it all up and that's why Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen was excited to sign the 2019 fourth-round draft pick to a two-year entry-level deal that will begin this season.

"Dmitri is a big, strong forward who can play at center ice or on the wing and is coming off an outstanding season in the KHL," Kekalainen said. "He is a skilled player that has shown an ability to score goals while playing a physical two-way game. We believe he has tremendous upside and are looking forward to his joining our group and continuing his development as a Blue Jacket."

Top Moment of 2022-23

At times over the past few seasons, Voronkov has shown the ability to excel at the most important time of year. After all, his gritty game seems suited for the postseason, and he posted 15 goals in 49 playoff games over the past four seasons in the KHL. Voronkov was particularly on his game during Ak Bars' opening-round playoff series win over Neftekhimik this past season, as he had four goals among five points in six games and posted a plus-6 rating to help the Snow Leopards win the series 4-2.

Stat to Know

Voronkov is coming off a season in which he had 18 goals in 54 games, a solid number that's even better with context. For example, just 30 players in the entire league had more goals than Voronkov a season ago, as the KHL can be a little lower-scoring than the NHL. But if you want to get excited, how about this fact -- Voronkov's 18 goals are more than Kirill Marchenko ever had in a KHL season, as last year's CBJ breakout star topped out at 15 goals with SKA in 2020-21. Marchenko played in just 41 games that season, so he did have more goals per game, but it's still an impressive bit of context to see how Voronkov can produce offensively. They're different players -- Marchenko is more of a sniper, while Voronkov thrives as a net-front presence -- but they both know how to put goals on the board.

2023-24 Expectations

Voronkov is an intriguing prospect given his size, scoring ability and the physicality with which he played in the KHL. Versatility will help, too, as he has played both center and wing with Ak Bars. He's going to have to go through the transition of playing in North America, but given Voronkov's intriguing skill set and his experience at the pro level, it feels like he'll have the ability to make an immediate impact. It seems likely he'll be a fan favorite, too, given his set of skills, and it's not hard to imagine CBJ fans falling in love with his style of play.