Mikhail Grigorenko is an elite prospect for the Buffalo Sabres, on his way to becoming a prominent force in the National Hockey League (NHL).  After leading all rookies in scoring with 85 points in his first year in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Quebec Remparts, he was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres, 12th overall, in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.  Over the past three seasons, Grigorenko has split time between the Quebec League, the NHL, and the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Rochester Americans.  And as he steadily improves and develops his game, Grigorenko is determined to fulfill his goal of becoming a full time NHL player. 

Grigorenko was born in the Russian Far East in the city of Khabarovsk, which shares a border with China. “I lived in Khaborovsk until the age of seven, then my family moved to Moscow,” explained Grigorenko.  “My parents got me involved with hockey at the age of five. My family loved hockey and my brother who is eight years older than me also played hockey.  I would always watch his practices and games. He was already a professional when I was a kid so he really inspired me. I really loved the game and I started to progress. My family always supported me and came to watch me play.  They always helped me and gave me tips and pointers.”

Upon arriving in Moscow, Grigorenko played in the CSKA system. “In Russia you stay in one club and progress in their system. I was eventually noticed by the Red Army team who invited me to play there when I was 16.  I spent that (2010-11) season playing for Red Army in the MHL.”  The MHL is a major junior league in Eurasia. Some teams supply players for their respective Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) professional counterparts, while other teams are subsidiaries of teams of other leagues (VHL, BEL, PHL).

Grigorenko explains the difference between the MHL junior league in Russia to the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) junior system in Canada. “The MHL has a bit of an older age range than the CHL. In the CHL there is a smaller ice surface, there is more hitting, and they play dump and chase hockey. It was also a little faster than the MHL. In the MHL there is more skating and set plays.  The game speed is a little slower but you can make smarter decisions with the puck. However, if you watch Russian players you can really see how advanced they are in the way they receive the puck off their skate or stick and make plays.  Their passes and shots are also incredibly accurate. Russian youth start developing these incredible stick and puck skills at a very early age. They know from the age of 7 or 8 that they want to play in the NHL and train 5 to 6 times a week.  Each session is two hours on the ice. This is where the progress comes from and how they become masters of stickhandling.”

During his junior career, Grigorenko represented Russia several times on the international stage, capturing a silver and two bronze medals over three World Junior Hockey Championship tournaments.  He is proud to have represented his country, and fondly recalls playing with fellow countrymen Nikita Nesterov, Nikita Kucherov, Andrey Makarov, and Nikita Zadorov. “It is awesome playing with all my best friends. It is also a great honor playing for your country and representing the Nation.  When the World Juniors were in Russia, we were losing to Sweden 2-1 in the semifinal. I scored a goal in the third period and we tied the game. The fans were ecstatic. I remember how loud they cheered and supported us.  Unfortunately, we lost that game in the shootout.”

Grigorenko was heavily recruited to play in North America by the Quebec Remparts who were lead at the time by Head Coach Patrick Roy. “I came to North America because I always wanted to play in the NHL and I knew the Junior system in Canada was strong.  It was a good option for me.  The Quebec Remparts really wanted me and I knew Alexander Radulov played in the QMJHL and enjoyed a lot of success. I am very happy I made the decision to come to Quebec.  I really liked the city and the hockey helped my development.”

Grigorenko quickly became acclimated to hockey in North America.  During his first practice with the Remparts, he remembers taking part in a conditioning drill called ‘mountains’ where players line up on the goal line and skate to the blue line and back, red line and back, to the far blue line and back, then finally the goal line and back.  “I remember doing the drill and by the end of it pretty much falling over.  Then they tell me I had to do it three times.  I was shocked there was so much skating.”

Although his junior career started off strong, Grigorenko fought through some adversity early in the season.  “I played really well my first game and got three assists and thought it would be easy to get points.  But that was not the case.  I didn’t get a point over the next five games. Everyone was very supportive though from my teammates, the trainers, coaches, and my parents. Everything worked out turned out really well.”  Grigoreko would go on to score 40 goals and add 45 assists for 85 points in 59 regular season games before adding 10 more points in 11 playoff games that season.

The Remparts also helped Grigorenko with his English.  “They sent me to school to learn the language. In this respect I think the junior league is so good because they help players who come from another country to adjust. In the NHL or AHL in terms of learning the language, you have to do that mostly on your own.”

Grigorenko’s most gleaming highlight from his Junior career, aside from his first goal, was his first hat trick performance. “We were in Quebec playing against Gatineau. We won 5-3 and I notched 3 goals and added an assist in a come from behind victory. It was so exhilarating the way the announcer said my name so loud and with so much energy. The crowd cheered so loud and they started chanting my nick name “Grigo” “Grigo”.  It was truly an amazing moment.”

After his impressive rookie season, Grigorenko was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the first round, 12^th overall of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.  “I was sitting there and getting anxious.  My dad was also freaking out. Finally, the 12th selection came and I was drafted by Buffalo. I remember going on stage and being so happy I was picked. I remember getting the jersey and shaking hands with everyone. It was a very special moment.”

The following season, in 2012-13, with the NHL lockout in full effect, Grigorenko was assigned back Quebec where he continued his torrid pace, recording 54 points in 33 games.  Once the NHL lockout ended in January, he was invited to the Sabres training camp and made the team.  He remembers the sudden transition from junior to the NHL. “The Sabres players really helped me and were so friendly which made it an easier transition.  Of course the skill level in the NHL was faster and tougher, but I had a good camp and Lindy Ruff who was the coach at the time said he would keep me and help with my development.  However, he would later be let go by the team.”

Grigorenko recounts the circumstances that led to his first NHL goal.  “I remember it was my sixth game. I was minus three in the first period, and coach Lindy Ruff said he would sit me for the second so I could come back out in the third flying. I came out in the third and right away made an impact. It was good that the coach had faith in me and gave me a chance to redeem myself that game. The way the goal panned out was that our line entered into the offensive zone, and I went to screen their goalie in front of their net.  Marcus Foligno picked up the puck and sent it back to the point to Mike Weber. He shot it towards the net and it went past me, and as I was spinning away from my check in front of the net the puck landed right where I was. I just swatted the puck towards the net from an awkward position. The puck went in fivehole on James Reimer. It was such an amazing feeling. I have a framed picture of my celebration of that first NHL goal.”

WATCH: Mikhail Grigorenko score his first NHL goal

For Grigorenko, it has been challenging to find his scoring touch at the professional level.  He recorded a goal and four assists in his first 25 games with the Sabres, and has thus far tallied 14 points in 68 NHL games.  He rediscovered his scoring touch in 2013-14 when he was reassigned back to the Remparts, accumulating 39 points in only 23 games.  It was difficult at times given the changes within the Buffalo Sabres front office, however, Grigorenko has benefited from strong leadership and guidance since then. “I have been sticking to my game and doing all the things that have made me successful in the past. I have also been doing well playing in all three zones including playing strong in the defensive end.”

The 2014-15 season was Grigorenko’s first full year at the professional level, split between Buffalo in NHL and with Rochester of the AHL where he scored 36 points in 43 games for the Amerks and was named CCM/AHL Player of the Week in January.  “I feel that spending the full season at the professional level this year has been really good for my development.  I have gained confidence playing against men and I feel stronger and capable of winning physical battles at this level. I feel more comfortable around my teammates because I have matured and my English has improved. As well I have formed a tight bond with the team because I was able to spend the entire season with them.”

Grigorenko is motivated to work hard this off-season and show progression in his overall game. “I will work on my skating to become even faster. I think that will really help me.  I am now a restricted free agent, so we will see what happens.  I would like to stay in Buffalo, but so far it is unknown what will happen next season. Ultimately, I would like to play in the NHL next season.  That is my desire and ultimate goal.”

Grigorenko is confident that by continuing to train and improve that he will make the NHL, and feels that his time is coming. He is a talented player with tremendous upside who will find his scoring touch at the NHL level and bring excitement to hockey fans and highlight reels for years to come.