Washington Capitals forward prospect Ivan Miroshnichenko made the next big step in his inspirational return to the game of hockey on Monday, joining Omskie Krylia’s VHL team less than two weeks after being cleared for return to game action. Miroshnichenko was elevated from Advangard’s MHL (Junior) team to Avangard’s Supreme Hockey League (VHL) team over the weekend.
Miroshnichenko made his first appearance with the VHL team on Monday in a game against Metallurg Novokuznetsk. It was his first game with the VHL team since being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma back in February.
⚡ ВОЗВРАЩЕНИЕ ГОДА ⚡
Один из лучших снайперов ВХЛ до 18 лет Иван Мирошниченко снова в строю! Нападающий проведёт первый матч в лиге после болезни 💪 pic.twitter.com/FX1mt877z0
— vhl_src (@vhl_src) November 21, 2022
Miroshnichenko completed treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma in June and returned to workouts with the MHL club on October 21. He was cleared to return to game action on November 8.
Miroshnichenko played in six games with the MHL affiliate (i.e. Russian Junior League) of Omskie Krylia, and in those six games, he’s tallied six goals and recorded two assists, scoring two goals in his most recent game.
Ivan Miroshnichenko was elevated from Avangard’s MHL team to their VHL team on Monday. He recorded two primary assists in Avangard’s 3-2 win over Metallurg Novokuznets. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/xrMQMKnZaY
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) November 21, 2022
Miroshnichenko (#63) started at left wing on the second line and had two primary assists in Omskie Krylia 3-2 win over Metallurg Novokuznetsk on Monday. His second assist came with less than a minute to go in regulation with the game tied, 2-2.
LOOK AT THIS PASS! 😍
🚨 Vladimir Mashkov 2nd of the game
🍎 Ivan Miroshnichenko #ALLCAPS
3-2 Omskie Krylia #VHL pic.twitter.com/urfR07pUAP— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) November 21, 2022
He had one shot on goal, a +2 rating in 15:13 ice time. He also received the team’s hard hat award for player of the game.
Ivan Miroshnichenko receives hard hat player of the game award. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/3R3vRrVzeq
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) November 21, 2022
Miroshnichenko, 18, played 31 games with the VHL club last season before he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He recorded 10 goals and six assists in those 31 games. He has yet to play a game in the KHL.
The Capitals selected Miroshnichenko with the 20th overall selection in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft back on July 7th of this year.
By Jon Sorensen
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