As the new hockey season approaches, players worldwide are gearing up to prove they have the chops to earn an elevated spot amongst their respective systems’ professional teams. And there’s no better time than training camp to showcase their readiness.

Last year, Vancouver Canucks prospect Josh Bloom made that notable leap out of camp, leaving behind a four-year junior career to get his first taste of professional hockey with the Abbotsford Canucks. Despite his ambition, Bloom’s stint lasted just 14 games. He never cracked the 12-minute mark in any game, averaging a mere 8:49 of ice time while grabbing just a single assist.

By December, Bloom was sent to the ECHL for an opportunity to play more and to develop his offensive game. While he saw increased ice time (15:22 average), his scoring touch didn’t follow suit in the transition. From there, it was back to juniors as an overager for a fifth and final stint. There, he caught fire, producing above a point per game and eventually scoring the Memorial Cup-clinching goal. He now rejoins the Abby Canucks with invaluable past knowledge of what to expect, but no junior option to fall back on.

All this to say that Bloom’s journey shows that while cracking a professional roster is a significant milestone, successfully translating one’s game is another challenge altogether. It also shows that as a 20-year-old, the initial landing spot doesn’t necessarily have to be the be-all and end-all.

This year, Kirill Kudryavtsev finds himself in a similar position. The 2022 seventh-round pick has shown promising development over the past two seasons, contributing solid offensive numbers while hyper-focusing on improving his two-way game. His improvements have been notable and backed by strong defensive metrics, which include upping his plus/minus rating by an impressive 44 points from 2022-23 to 2023-24. By all accounts, he feels ready to jump to professional hockey as a 20-year-old.

On Wednesday, the Soo Greyhounds officially announced their training camp roster, which, as expected, did not include the Russian defender’s name. In addition to the Greyhounds’ late pre-season schedule, there are several reasons why Kudryavtsev won’t be in attendance. With the upcoming YoungStars event, Vancouver’s main camp, followed by Abbotsford’s training camp in early October, it’s safe to say that he has a jam-packed fall schedule ahead of him.

With that, it’s clear that he plans to make a full-time push for the pro-circuit. However, it remains to be seen whether he’ll be successful. Determining where Kudryavtsev will play this season involves considering several factors. Let’s explore his potential landing spots for the upcoming season.

The most straightforward option for Kudryavtsev, and probably most popular by fans, is for him to start the season with the Abbotsford Canucks in the AHL. All it takes is a strong training camp to showcase the solid two-way game he’s worked toward over the last few seasons and prove that he’s up to the task. However, this begs the question: Is there room for him in Abbotsford’s lineup?

To put it bluntly, Abbotsford’s defensive lineup is crowded. They only added to that chaos this summer, bringing in a few additional names on AHL contracts to create a competitive environment for training camp. On the left side, where Kudryavtsev would naturally slot in, the team already has several returning players, including Christian Wolanin, Akito Hirose, and Guillaume Brisebois. Additionally, Elias Pettersson (D-Petey) is expected to take on a full-time role after making his AHL debut late last season.

Adding to the mix are two new left-shot defencemen, Joseph Arntsen and Layton Ahac, who signed AHL contracts over the summer. While these players are likely to be more involved in the Kalamazoo scene, there’s always the possibility that a strong camp could push them into the Abbotsford lineup.

Perhaps the most critical element is the experience factor. If Kudryavtsev were to make the team, the Canucks would have two U21 defenders (Kudryavtsev and Pettersson) flanking their left side amid their first full AHL seasons. Not only are they both just 20 years young, but both will be navigating their transitions to the league’s competition levels, size and speed. The AHL is a developmental league, but a second and third pairing highlighted by two unproven rookies isn’t exactly ideal for the team’s overall stability.

Additionally, Abbotsford will have Christian Felton (24) transitioning from the NCAA level himself, as well as Cole McWard, who’s just one year into his professional career, on the right side. With Kudryavtsev in the lineup, this would effectively give their bottom two pairings a grand total of one season of professional experience.

Luckily, there’s another professional option within the Canucks’ ranks. Should Kudryavtsev not crack the Abbotsford lineup, the next logical step would be the ECHL’s Kalamazoo Wings. While the ECHL is often viewed with low regard, it’s not without its developmental benefits. Last season, 11 drafted defenders aged 22 or under played 20-plus games in the ECHL, including Nashville Predators 2020 third-round pick Luke Prokop. It’s not necessarily a typical pathway, but it allows younger players to enjoy more minutes while competing at a higher level amongst older players.

In Kalamazoo, Kudryavtsev would be no exception. Much like Bloom last year, he’d likely receive fair ice time as a top-four special teams defender, competing against men and adjusting to a higher, more mature level of competition than he has experienced in the OHL. This environment would allow him to continue developing his game without the pressure of immediate AHL expectations. Additionally, should injuries occur in Abbotsford, Kudryavtsev could be called up quickly if he’s showing positive growth while waiting in the queue.

If professional hockey is a must for him and the organization, Kalamazoo would likely be a good place to start.

The final option, and perhaps the least desirable for Kudryavtsev, would be a return to the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds. As a 20-year-old, he remains eligible to return to juniors for one more season if necessary (although Soo may not want to use one of its overage player slots on an import).

While this might feel like a step back to some, especially considering what he’s done to prove his worth at the OHL level, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a rushed decision. Kudryavtsev could start the season in the AHL or ECHL and be loaned back to the Greyhounds later, similar to Josh Bloom’s journey last year.

Returning to the OHL would allow Kudryavtsev to pick up where he left off, playing top-pairing minutes as a top OHL defensive journeyman. As Bloom will attest, there’s something to be said about gaining experience and potentially returning with Memorial Cup with experience in hand for the final “no looking back” jump in 2025-26.

No matter where he lands, Kudryavtsev’s 2024-25 season is shaping up to be critical for his development. While the AHL represents the most desirable destination (both from a player and fan perspective), the competition for spots on Abbotsford’s blue line will be fierce. The ECHL offers a solid alternative, allowing Kudryavtsev to develop at a slightly lower level while facing older competition. And while a return to the OHL might seem like a fallback, it offers a safe spot to continue his development as a late-round blooming defensive prospect.