Sergey Tolchinsky is a dynamic and intriguing prospect belonging to the Carolina Hurricanes and is enjoying his first year playing at the professional level for the Hurricanes’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers.  Armed with blazing speed, wizard like stick handling and ability to find the back of the net and make plays, Tolchinsky was a force in Junior with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, racking up 237 points over three seasons.  While some say his 5’8 size is a knock on him, Tolchinsky begs to differ.  His story serves as a testament and inspiration for players who were told they were too small, or who went undrafted to the NHL.  He is steadily developing in the AHL and fiercely determined to realize his dream of playing in the NHL.

Tolchinsky was born and raised in Moscow, Russia, and at two years of age his Dad gave him his first pair of skates as a gift.  From that moment on, they would go skating together, and when he was five years old Tolchinsky told his parents, ‘I want to be a hockey player’.  He credits his parents and his first coach as the most influential people in his hockey development. “My first coach trained me from 5-15 years of age and taught me so much in that time. My Dad also played a large role, he often took me to open ice sessions in the winter and there he would train me,” recalled Tolchinsky.

He would go on to represent Russia internationally at the Under 16 and Under 18 tournaments, the World Junior Hockey Championships, and two Canada-Russia Subway Super Series, relishing every opportunity to represent his country.  “The Under 18’s were in Sochi, Russia so it was really nice playing in such a great tournament in my home Country in front of Russian fans.  As for the World Junior Championship in 2015, the final game against Canada stood out. We almost mounted that amazing comeback in the third period to erase a 4-goal deficit in the third.  Words can’t describe that game. I still remember it vividly and it’s sad we could not come back and win the gold as we were so close to victory.”

Tolchinsky was a first round pick of CSKA Moscow in the 2012 KHL draft. In the same year, he was drafted in the first round, 12th overall by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) in the 2012 CHL Import Draft.  When it came time to decide which avenue to pursue, he responded, “It wasn’t a choice between the KHL or CHL, I hadn’t make the KHL yet.  The choice was more like the MHL or the CHL. I wanted to test my strength in North America and try to make the NHL.”

The 2012-13 season marked the beginning of his junior career which included a transition to the North American style both on and off the ice.  “The transition to North American hockey was not easy. It’s a different hockey style played on a smaller rink with different tactics. The defensive side of the game is also different. However, my teammates and coaches helped me a lot. In two months, I fully adjusted to the North American game and knew how to play it. In Canada it is a faster, more physical game whereas in Russia the game is not as fast but instead attention is on play making and passing.” That year he would go on to have a successful rookie campaign with 26 goals and 25 assists in 62 games.

Following his successful rookie year, Tolchinsky received a call from his agent informing him that he had received an invitation to the Carolina Hurricanes training camp that summer after going undrafted in the 2013 NHL draft.  “I knew that camp was my chance and I gave it my all every moment. I did everything so that they would notice me and in the end that was the outcome. They rewarded me with a three year contract.”

He also offers some inspirational words for any player who went undrafted and comments on the resolve one must have to realize their dream. “It’s not the end of the world, many players in the NHL went undrafted. If you were not selected then that must serve as motivation for you to work even harder. You need to keep practicing and training and always believe in yourself. Never give up.”

Tolchinsky would go on to have another successful year in junior where he accumulated 91 points in 66 games.  He also made his professional debut in the AHL and explains the circumstances behind the call up.  “Charlotte called me up at the end of the season right after the OHL playoffs ended for our team.  They only had two games left in the regular season. I did not play in the first game but they let me play in the second game. Before the game I was worried and nervous and didn’t not know what to expect. I played decently but it wasn’t my best game.  My biggest takeaway from that brief experience in the AHL was that I knew I had to put on some mass because all the guys there were three times as big as me.”

That summer, ahead of the 2014-15 season, Tolchinsky attended his second training camp with the Hurricanes. It went much like the first camp however, due to rule about being under a certain age and still under contract in the OHL, he could not play in the AHL that season. He returned to the Greyhounds in what would be his final year playing Junior.

That season he scored 95 points in only 61 games while working on aspects of his game that the Hurricanes wanted him to build on, including gaining mass and working on his defensive play. His favorite memory from junior was actually the playoffs that season. “We had a really strong team, the whole city was a buzz and the media only seemed to speak about us.  That city lives and breathes hockey. Unfortunately, we didn’t win the playoffs but that run was an unforgettable experience.”

This past summer during the Hurricane’s training camp, Tolchinsky executed a spectacular break away shoot out move that sent waves through the hockey world and social media.

That move demonstrated the talent, speed, magic hands, poise and finish in his arsenal.  “Growing up, I worked on my stick handling, I have been working on that move since I was 13 years old. I scored a few times like that when I was playing in junior. I think for goalies it’s a really hard move to stop.”

Tolchinsky was assigned by the Hurricanes to begin his professional career with the Charlotte Checkers where after making some adjustments, he has been impressing upon the Hurricanes’ brass.  “The first half of the year was challenging, and it’s taken more time to adjust to this league than I expected. But when I understood what I needed to do, things begun to click and that’s why now for the most part everything is good. Charlotte is a great place to play and develop. The team is strong with a good group of guys.”

His overall game has grown since the start of the season as he has worked hard on taking his game to the next level. “My biggest minus has always been my defensive game.  That is why our coaches and I always go over games and watch the video. My defensive game has improved since the start of the season however, I still need to continue working on it so that the coach can trust me in any situation.”

Tolchinsky explains what his coaches and management have been telling him to focus on.  “They tell me to work on my game without the puck, play more physical, and make the right plays and decisions defensively. They need to see that they can trust me. That is my goal, to work hard relentlessly to win over their trust and make it to the NHL.”

He also comments on being a smaller player in the league and explains how it actually can serve as an advantage.  “Being smaller gives you the ability to be faster and out manoeuvre others. It is not a disadvantage actually it could be the other way around.”

Away from the rink, Tolchinski enjoys spending time with his wife and their dog.  He also loves playing tennis and plays it often.

There is a lot to admire about Tolchinsky both on and off the ice, from his inspirational hockey story to his potential of not only making the NHL, but becoming a bona fide goal scorer in the league.