Anton Zlobin

Dec 12 2012

RBTH

Right wing

Handwork to write home about

Road to the NHL: From Moscow to Pittsburgh

BORN February 22, 1993 Moscow, Russia

HEIGHT: 5 ft 11 in
WEIGHT: 194 lbs

CAREER: Pittsburg Penguins (NHL), Spartak (Moscow), Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL), Val-d'Or Foreurs (QMJHL)

His page on Twitter

In the 2009-10 season, Zlobin skated for Spartak Moscow in Russia’s Minor Hockey League (MHL), playing in 51 games and scoring 50 goals. He also took part at the World Under-17 Championships as a member of Russian national team.

He scored two goals and eight assists in six games, thereby catching the attention of North American scouts. In the 2010 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Import Draft, Zlobin was selected by the Shawinigan Cataractes of the Quebec Minor Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Zlobin finished the playoffs with five goals and one assist in 12 games with the Shawinigan Cataractes. Unfortunately, Anton was not selected in the 2011 NHL Draft.

In the following season Shawinigan put all their hopes in Zlobin, believing that he would help them capture their first Memorial Cup in team history. Anton did not disappoint.

Zlobin finished the tournament with five goals in six games and was ranked the best player of the championship. For his efforts, Anton Zlobin was ranked as the 137th best North American skater for the 2012 Draft by NHL Central Scouting. Shortly after that he joined the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In his own words

About Russian players

“I think, all Russian players always try to teach their North American squadmates some Russian words and phrases. Usually, they teach bad words.”

Famous for

Great shot and offensive instinct

According to his coaches, Zlobin has been great with learning and wanting to learn, and his work ethic has totally changed since the beginning of training camp. Physically, Zlobin entered training in great shape; scouts concede that he has superb handwork, as well as great shot and offensive instinct.

Personal

A good friend

His best friend is Kirill Kabanov, a Russian player with the Shawinigan Cataractes. Kabanov's mother, Natalia, often prepares home cooked meals for the two friends. When Zlobin came to Canada, he was unable to speak either French or English, and it was who Kirill who hepled him to learn the language.

NHL