Photo: Omsk Hawks
Washington Capitals forward prospect Ivan Miroshnichenko recorded his 8th goal in his first eight games played for the Omsk Hawks of the MHL on Saturday. Miroshnichenko also has two assists in one game played earlier this week for the Omsk Wings (VHL team), giving him eight goals and five assists in his first nine games played since his recovery from Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Miroshnichenko‘s goal on Saturday came against Sibirskie Snaipery at 3:38 of the second period. He would fire a one-timer from the right faceoff circle for the tally, tying the game 2-2. He’s now scored a goal in seven consecutive games.
Ivan Miroshnichenko records his 8th goal in first 8 games for Omsk Hawks (MHL). He also has 3 assists with MHL team. Additionally, he has two assists in one game played for VHL team, giving him 8g, 5a in his first 9 games back following recovery from Hodgkin’s lymphoma. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/OrXKTj6QHd
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) November 26, 2022
Omsk fell to Sibirskie Snaipery, 3-2, in the shootout. Miroshnichenko was the only player for Omsk to convert on their shootout opportunity. [Recap here.]
#ALLCAPS prospect Ivan Miroshnichenko 1G today.
He also had this goal in the shootout in a 3-2 loss.
+2 rating, 3 SOG, 20:42 TOI (season high)#MHL pic.twitter.com/QDdhZYsw1Y— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) November 26, 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 began his return to the game of hockey playing in six games with the MHL team (i.e. Russian Junior League). In those six games, he tallied six goals and recorded two assists.
Miroshnichenko then made his first appearance with the VHL team on Monday in a game against Metallurg Novokuznetsk (More here.). It was his first game with the VHL team since being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma back in February. He recorded two primary assists in the game.
Miroshnichenko returned to the MHL squad on Thursday and recorded a goal and an assist. Including his goal on Saturday, he now has eight goals and five assists in his first nine games played following his recovery from Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Miroshnichenko was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma back in February, but was cleared by doctors to return to skating and workouts after successfully completing a course of treatment in Germany in back June.
Capitals assistant general manager Ross Mahoney told NHL.com that Washington’s medical staff examined Miroshnichenko’s health records, and that he felt good about the player’s status following a video conference with him in May.
“I was in Germany in April at the Under-18 World Championship and met Ivan and his father,” Mahoney said. “I think he was already in his second round of chemotherapy, and he had lost a lot of weight, lost his hair, and he was wearing a cap. He looked really thin and I thought, ‘What a tough situation.’ Then we did a Zoom call with him in May when he was finishing up his treatments, and he looked a lot better.”
The Capitals ultimately selected Miroshnichenko in the first round (#20 overall) of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft held on July 7.
By Jon Sorensen
Thrivin’ Ivan!
:thumbs up:
As much weight loss he obviously had, I’m thrilled with the slow play to get him back to where he was before. I hope he continues to get stronger throughout the season.
I’m amazed at each page I turn on his story.
100%. He is not just inspiring, he is a very special player with a special drive. We are lucky he’s part of the organization.
Ivan The Great!
So the Russian ladder is KHL, VHL, MHL? Was his one game with the VHL more of a tryout? Recall as a sub? Promotion then demotion? How should we view that?
I’d say they’re likely just trying to get him as much ice time as they can to get him back up to speed. I’d be surprised if he isn’t full time VHL with some KHL action mixed in by end of year.
That’s my bet as well. Get him the right number of games to work on conditioning.
Regarding Russian leagues, that’s correct, Fyre. I don’t think there is any promotion/demotion at this point. They are working on his conditioning. He did well in VHL game, so I’m sure he’ll be back soon.
Thanks.
And conditioning doesn’t require high level hockey, just ice time and practicing your skill set.
Nice recovery and even better playing. When can we expect to see him either in Hershey or Wash?
2024 late in Hershey and then compete for a slot with the Caps in the 2024/2025 season.