EDMONTON, AB - Ostap Safin came to play in his first full professional season.
That's why, when given the chance to play regular minutes with the ECHL's Wichita Thunder, he's taking every opportunity as it comes.
The Prague, Czech Republic product posted a strong QMJHL debut season in '16-17 of 26 goals and 32 assists in 61 games with the Saint John Sea Dogs and being drafted in the fourth round, 115th overall to the Edmonton Oilers at the 2017 NHL Draft.
But a shoulder injury the coming campaign derailed his ability to keep the ball rolling as a member of the Memorial Cup host Halifax Mooseheads. In only 42 games across the regular season, playoffs, and Memorial Cup in '18-19, the 6-foot-5 winger mustered three goals and 10 assists as he nursed the remnants of the lingering injury.
Safin arrived at Oilers Development Camp the following summer with a literal and figurative chip on his shoulder as his right one protruded unnaturally unlike his left.
"I feel way better than I did at Development Camp in Edmonton for sure," Safin said. "It was kind of different to play in Edmonton than here, so I think I'm playing differently right now and the coach and the players are helping me a lot. Everything is good right now."
FUTURE WATCH: Safin seeing results in Wichita
Safin is back playing regularly with the ECHL's Wichita Thunder after an injury-riddled season in '18-19, finding his groove with six points in his last four games