The Capitals captain has been a mentor to Miroshnichenko.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — Watching Ivan Miroshnichenko up with the Washington Capitals has taken Alex Ovechkin back in time.
The captain remembers when he was in a similar boat back when he was a rookie — Miroshnichenko was just one year old at the time — finding his game all while adapting to life in North America.
As Ovechkin reflects, he also finds himself impressed with Miroshnichenko's growth on and off the ice in his latest call-up with Washington, which appears more and more likely to continue through the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign.
"He's learning a lot," Ovechkin said.
Ovechkin has been a role model for Miroshnichenko, leading by example and helping translate; even in the equipment department, the 20-year-old has followed Ovechkin's lead, down to the same gear.
"He's using my sticks, so it's good," Ovechkin grinned.
Equipment aside, Miroshnichenko's play has gotten stronger with the help of the organization. He has two goals and an assist since being called back up to D.C. in February and has made major strides in his development while taking on a top-6 role. He's become more aggressive on the forecheck while winning board battles and getting in the right spots.
"I think it's just a lot of exposure, touches. I felt the same way; the more you play, the more you understand how quickly things happen, where guys are gonna be. And you're really starting to see that from him," Beck Malenstyn told The Hockey News. "He's forechecking extremely well, he's turning over a lot of pucks on that forecheck, obviously an amazing shot when he can get himself into that space and get it off. So now, you're really starting to see the highlighted attributes of him as a player as he gets more comfortable."
Another area of improvement has been in his communication; English hasn't been easy for him, but he's learning, and the language barrier has definitely become less of an issue.
Head coach Spencer Carbery noted that Miroshnichenko is starting to ask follow up questions and getting more specific, while his understanding has also gone up exponentially since he signed his entry-level deal in the summer.
"I've been really impressed with it, not just on the ice and how he's performed in games, but 20 years of age and trying to learn the systems, all the things he's doing on the bench in these tight games that we've been playing... he's right in the game and engaged," Carbery added.
For Ovechkin and the team, it's been easy to notice Miroshnichenko's improvement as he adapts to life in North America, and his teammates have taken notice of the work he's put in, and it's paying off for No. 63.
"He start talking with the guys, asking questions. Of course, it's hard for him, but sometimes, you have to take the pressure off yourself," Ovechkin said. "I was the same. My English was terrible and I ask difficult questions, but it was fun time. I'm pretty sure he gonna remember it."
"We definitely communicate with him a little bit more. I think it's extremely helpful to have a couple other Russians around to do some translation, but he's starting to become more of a member of the group," Malenstyn said. "Just having those little conversations on the bench, in the room, you definitely can start to see him growing more comfortable in that, too."