Anton Slepyshev is a dynamic winger with a large frame and blazing speed who is currently adjusting to the North American game with the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League (AHL).  Although he is only 21 years of age, Slepyshev already has four seasons of professional hockey experience in the KHL under his belt, which has helped in his transition.  This season, his first in North America, Slepyshev has already played 11 games with the Edmonton Oilers before being assigned to Bakersfield, and has his sights set on developing into a full time NHL player.

A native of Penza, Russia, Slepyshev recalls how he first broke into hockey. “My father put me on skates at three years old.  He also played hockey and made it as far as the Master Team.  He became my personal coach and trainer during my childhood. My mother and grandmother looked over my studies and my dad looked over my hockey. This was my life until 17 years of age. Then I moved to Novokuznetsk then later Ufa to continue my hockey career in Russia.”

Since his youth, Slepyshev has been touted as a highly rated prospect, which included representing Russia on the International stage at the Under 18’s and World Junior Championships.  To him, it was an extreme honor to represent his country, serving as team Captain on several of those occasions. “To represent your country is always amazing. It is an emotion that you can’t even describe. You feel the responsibility not for just the team but for the whole country. To be captain is two times the honor, however, you feel double the responsibility.”

Playing in the KHL

In 2011, Slepyshev was selected first overall in the KHL Draft where he would go on to play for the next four seasons.  Two years later, he was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the 3rd round (88th overall) in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.   As for his NHL draft experience, Slepyshev explains, “I was not at the NHL draft.  I only found out on the internet that I was selected.”

Although he enjoyed playing closer to home in the KHL, Slepyshev was intrigued by the opportunity to play in North America, knowing he would experience a significant transition both on and off the ice.

“I played four seasons in the KHL against men, so when I came to North America this season, I came over as an adult and not a young boy. However, the type of hockey is really different between the KHL and the NHL or even the AHL. Beginning with the size of the ice and the way the plays develop on the smaller ice.”

Transition to the NHL

After an impressive training camp and preseason with the Oilers, Slepyshev made his much anticipated NHL debut in St. Louis against the Blues and knew right away that this wasn’t the KHL.  “The speed of the game for me was just unreal, plus it was my first game and I was nervous. You have to do everything much faster in the NHL than in the KHL.  The preseason also was different in the NHL than the preseason in Russia.  It was hard for the body to adapt at first. It was in principal the same practices on the ice and in the gym as in Russia but the moves and drills where different than what we did in Russia.”

Slepyshev remembers his NHL debut and how he felt leading up to the game.  “Before the game I was calm, however, as much as I tried to hide the nerves they were there. We were playing against a really good team in the Blues. In that game I played a little over 15 minutes.  After the game I realized all the things I needed to add to my game for me to play in the NHL. But I was happy. I dreamed about the NHL all my life. It is an unbelievable feeling and experience playing in the NHL on such a grandiose stage. You pursue your dream for 18 years and then there it is.”

WATCH: Anton Slepyshev starts the 2015-16 season with the Edmonton Oilers

Slepyshev played in the Oilers’ first 11 games before being reassigned to Bakersfield where he could work on the aspects he needed to improve. “Those 11 games opened my eyes to North American hockey. I saw how hard you need to work to be in this league, and saw what I needed to add to my game in order to be a full time NHL player.”

During his time in the NHL, Slepyshev notched an assist on a goal by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.  “I just passed him the puck still in our zone, and then he went and scored all on his own.  I haven’t scored a goal in the NHL and that remains my dream.”

Slepyshev had nothing but great things to say about the Oilers and the city of Edmonton and looks forward to earning a spot with the team by impressing upon Oilers management while playing in Bakersfield.

“Edmonton is a great team with an amazing roster. It was a pleasure for me to be there and play alongside such great teammates in front of such passionate fans.  The Oilers are so full of talent and it’s really remarkable how dynamic and youthful the team is yet they play with poise and experience of players who are older.

I was really impressed with Connor McDavid and Taylor Hall. These guys have unreal talent but also it is the way they approach both games and practices. They have everything in their arsenal: speed, agility, puck control, strength to battle, and the ability to make quick decisions. I try to watch and emulate what they do plus what other players do. Everyone has some kind of specialty in the game. I try to take the good from everyone and try it for myself.”

He commented further on the play of rookie phenom Connor McDavid. “Everything he does is honed to perfection. The most important skill though is his hockey sense. This is why he stands out from everyone else. That is why it is hard to play against him; you never know what he will do. Playing with him was a pleasure and learning experience. In the attacking zone you just have to wait for the puck from him. All you have to do is complete his play with an accurate shot or pass.”

Playing in the AHL

Since being reassigned to Bakersfield, Slepyshev has notched 5 points in 20 games and is working hard to get back to the next level.

“When the Oilers sent me to Bakersfield they clearly let me know what I did well in the NHL and what I needed to work on.  In my time spent in the AHL, I have learned to think faster on the ice and make quicker decisions. I also learned how to play stronger and win battles against the boards. I now understand what a smart decision in this kind of hockey is and I understand what an unwise decision is. I am trying to find the keys to success in this league. I have been working on things that will translate into points. Points are what I really lack.”

Slepyshev has been enjoying his time in Bakersfield thus far which has been aided by the some familiar faces on the Condors roster. “I have two Russian teammates who I played with back on the Junior Russian National team. We spend a lot of time together, although speaking Russian with them doesn’t help me work on my English.”

He admits it is better for his development to be playing in the AHL. “Of course, being in the AHL is a new experience for me.  The players are young and everyone is out to prove themselves. This is the kind of competition that serves to create development and progress.”

Culturally it has been an ongoing process to adjust to language barriers and a new lifestyle in North America.  “I am learning the language to this day.  It has been really difficult at times, but this was to be expected, it is a foreign country to me. I just need to get used to it. The most important thing is to do everything to make the NHL, everything else I will get used to in time.”

In his spare time on off days and on game days, Slepyshev tried to keep his mind sharp.  “I read, watch movies and spend time talking and going out with my friends. On game days, I spend time getting ready for the game and mentally preparing. I get myself into the zone.”

Russian Hockey

Throughout his young career, Slepyshev has had some memorable interaction with star players from Russia.  “Last season I had the opportunity to be on the National Men’s Team. I was on the team with Ilya Kovalchuk. Never did I think that it would happen for me to play with him, even more so for the National team. He has mega talent, everyone knows who Kovalchuk is.”

As part of the future generation of Russian hockey players, Slepyshev is confident that by continuing to train and improve, he will become a full time player in the NHL.  With tremendous upside who can play a strong all round game, Slepyshev hopes to soon help the Oilers once again become a force in the NHL.