Evgeny Molotilov will not be back

[hitek]

As reported on Tony Saxon's blog

http://guelphmercury.blogs.com/storm/

"The Storm won't be bringing defenceman Evgeny Molotilov back next year.

Storm coach/GM Jason Brooks confirmed today that they will either trade him or release him.

Molotilov looked like a decent prospect when he first landed in Guelph, but injuries the past two seasons hampered his development.

The team didn't really have room for a 19-year-old fifth or sixth defenceman this year.

In 76 OHL games, Molotilov had six assists."



For me, I am disappointed not to see him back. Injury certainly did hamper his development and
really getting to see him improve. But this team as we see it now anyways, certainly needs a 5th and 6th defenceman, heck I am not even sure right this second he isn't a 4th defenceman.

But I also realize Brooks has stuff in the works, and must really be confident in his two euro's he is going
to be selecting. Right now, this team's #1 need is defense.. but for sure there is a lot of time between today
and the roster we know, and training camp.

Still, nice guy, and he will certainly be missed by section 111, row 7.. no question about it.

I know he was drafted by the KHL, so we hope and pray he signs a pro deal there, and has a heck of a career. He
certainly deserves to do well.

Hats off Evgeny, it was sure nice to have you in Guelph !

Tim Kingsbury

[Molson Muscle]

With two open Euro spots on this team it will be interesting to see what happens. There is a strong rumour of Kyle Clifford to the Storm for draft picks and a possible player. I would love to see that expanded to include Burmistrov. He would be an excellent centre for Beck. Top two lines if we can get Palmieri to report:

Latta Holland Palmieri
Clifford Burmistrov Beck

[hockeydog]

I read Tony Saxon's blog in the Mercury and was disappointed to see that Molotilov may not have been advised he wasn't being invited back for this upcoming season. The team made it public they did not intend to have him back, yet when Tony contacted him, he stated his intention to play again this upcoming season.
I'm not sure if this was an oversight, a communication issue, or what. Does anyone know what the Storm policy is when it comes to a notification such as this? Is it team policy to tell the player's agent rather than informing him directly? If so, perhaps its the agent's fault. If there's no firm policy in this respect, then team management should take a long hard look at themselves. Regardless, this could be interpreted as a black eye for the Storm and indeed the OHL. You can bet whoever recommended Molotilov to the Storm two years ago will be reluctant to ever again attempt to help out.
This is a real unfortunate situation and hopefully other newspapers won't jump on this as a "human interest" story. Perhaps this was a simple communication issue and if it was the agent's responsibility to break the news to Molotilov, the Storm should be pushing him to break the news sooner rather than later.
I personally thought Molotilov was a decent player, not necessarily our best but certainly better than some of the others playing that position. If there's no room for him this upcoming season, so be it, but don't leave the kid thinking otherwise.