Alex Burmistrov: 2010 NHL Draft Profile and Scouting Report

Alex Burmistrov, Barrie Colts (OHL)

Position: Center | Height: 5-foot-10 | Weight 159 lbs
FanHouse Ranking: No. 7 | Age: 18 | Hometown: Kazan, Russia

More: Top 35 Prospects | Full 2010 NHL Draft Coverage

Alex Burmistrov 2009-10 Stats
	GP	Goals	Assists	Points
Regular Season	62	22	43	65
Playoffs	17	8	8	16

Ask 15 people, and you'll likely get quite a variance of answers regarding Burmistrov. None of this has anything to do with his hockey skills or willingness to work hard.

There are constant questions about any Russian prospect on the draft board, now that the KHL has gained some relevance in Europe and appears willing to take players who would otherwise go to the NHL.

It doesn't seem like there are any real fears about Burmistrov, however. The 18-year-old moved to North America last year to play with the Barrie Colts of the OHL, and his major junior experience has only helped his draft status.

Burmistrov has shown scouts some great passing ability, a keen hockey sense, and an undeniable work ethic. The fact that he seems to have that Alex Ovechkin-esque "Go 100 percent on every shift" philosophy should help him get off the board first among European-born draft prospects.

Once he goes in the draft, the next step for Burmistrov will be to gain weight. Some reports have him as low as 150 pounds (his listed weight is 159). That won't work for anyone in the NHL, much less someone who stands six feet tall. Burmistrov has to get in a training program that will help him fill out his body and prepare for the rigors of NHL play.