Dennis Yan getting attention as a potential 1st round NHL pick

Dennis Yan, a winger who is NHL draft-eligible, had two goals and two assists against Val-d’Or and was named the game’s first star. The next night against Chicoutimi, Yan potted another pair of goals in a 4-1 win and was once again named the first star. Yan now has 32 goals and 30 helpers in his inaugural campaign.

via QMJHL blog: Chlapik makes Charlottetown history – Sportsnet.ca.

 

Before an agreement is signed between the attacker and the Cataractes, mother of Dennis Yan, Elona had insisted to be with his son in Mauricie. It must be said that the young man did a lot of mileage in recent years between the cities of Sarnia, Detroit and Ann Arbor.

“His agent (Igor Larionov), we had spoken. It’s been two years since she had not seen him. So she wanted to live with him. This is a first for us, but it has been elsewhere, “said the Chief Cataractes Martin Mondou.

So, without really knowing where was Shawinigan on the map, Elona and Dennis have traveled the road to begin a new chapter in their lives. “It’s a beautiful city. People are smiling and are very nice.Even though I do not speak the language, I’m doing. I think it’s fun.French is such a beautiful language. I tasted poutine, it’s good, “laughs mom.

It must be said that the Yan family has become accustomed suitcases. The course of the 17 year old striker has very little to do with the Europeans who make the leap to Canada to pursue their careers. The rookie was born in Portland, Oregon, before moving to Moscow, his parents were born in Russia at the time when communism was the prevailing doctrine in Eastern Europe. Then, at 14, the Yan family redid the leap to the United States, this time in Detroit, where his father has been in business, as it still is in Moscow.

Yan finds so with dual citizenship, but for him, the choice is clear, he considers himself American in itself. He also is part of Uncle Sam’s hockey program until last spring. “The United States is a bit like Canada, while in Russia it is a very different culture. I prefer the United States and how it plays hockey, “says one who was also drafted in the Kontinental Hockey League.

Daily support

So far, the arrival of Ms. Yan in Shawinigan is softly. Difficult to manage in a francophone city when we do not fully control the English language, much less that of Molière. Beauparlant the trailer does not yet offer a menu in the language of Tolstoy.

Still, Elona makes shopping and even found a gym to train. His son recalls that this lifestyle is nothing new for the family. “I’m used to, because we have always moved in our youth. We do not know where we would live. It’s still that with hockey life. For sure it will help me in the future, no matter where I am going. ”

“When he decided to come play in Canada, I knew I was going to help. It happened naturally, “she adds.

While the majority of his teammates will be away from their families, Dennis Yan will the royal treatment that accompanies living with his mother, but also to avoid homesickness. “The fact that it is still there, it allows me to have help in the most difficult times. It gives me a lot of support. If I had to live alone, I’d shoot, but I know she wants to be with me, “says the young man.

To support Dennis in Shawinigan, Elona has however, agreed to live away from her daughter, the eldest of the family, and his second son, aged 14 years. The latter lives with his grandmother in Detroit since the father is currently in Russia. “This is really the most difficult part of not seeing our children. We communicate together by Skype. Everyone should come here later in the season. ”

Mom Yan also said a lot of good athletic skills on his youngest. Cataracts, however, will not be interested in him, since he would have more chances to continue his career with the Trois-Rivières Diablos. The teenager operates as a defensive lineman in high school in Michigan and hope to evolve in the NCAA. Who knows if one day the Yan does not imitate another duo of brothers who have been successful in two different disciplines, and Jean-Philippe Mathieu Darche.