- Aleksey Nikiforov
Aleksey Nikiforov (
April 24 ,1957 inElektrėnai ,Lithuania ) is a former professionalhockey player for theDynamo Riga team of theRussian Elite League . He is the father ofSarnia Sting starVladimir Nikiforov in the OHL. He resides onLong Island where he still teaches hundreds of adults and children of various skill capabilities how to play the game.Coaching career
Aleksey currently coaches the
Suffolk PAL Squirt AAA (Minor) team. He previously coached theNew York Junior Bobcats of theAtlantic Junior Hockey League where he boasted great placement for many of his students. He is credited with "teaching" many Long Island hockey products the game. He teaches a European style of hockey, as opposed to the North American style. This European style focuses on skating speed, puck possession, and puck movement, while the North American style focuses more onbodychecking and overall physical domination. The translation of this style is very apparent in his American-born students such asChristopher Higgins of theMontreal Canadiens and2006 NHL Draft pickTony Romano .Notable students
*
Darius Kasparaitis ,New York Rangers
*Dainius Zubrus ,New Jersey Devils
*Alexei Yashin ,New York Islanders
*Michael Komisarek ,Montreal Canadiens
*Christopher Higgins ,Montreal Canadiens
*Bryan McCabe ,Toronto Maple Leafs
*Vladimir Malakhov,San Jose Sharks
*Alexei Kovalev ,Montreal Canadiens
*Rob Scuderi ,Pittsburgh Penguins
*Eric Nystrom ,Calgary Flames External links
* [http://www.longislandpress.com/?cp=194&show=article&a_id=5967 Great story on how he has trained his son]
* [http://www.nybobcats.com/Page.asp?id=4897&snid=30262375&org=nybobcats.com Blurb on his credentials from the New York Bobcats website]
* [http://www.nhl.com/features/system/romano080406.html Article on Tony Romano, a 2006 draft pick of the New Jersey Devils, who is a former student of Nikiforov's]
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