Nikita Meshcheryakov '23 Recruiting Profile

      My name is Nikita Meshcheryakov. In Russia, I played in one of the best hockey programs for the CSKA team. Everything was great for me - full trust from the coach, a lot of ice time and great teammates. At the age of 16, I was lucky and was drafted by the Omaha Lancers (USHL). I could have lived in the capital of Russia in my house next to my parents and played in a cool team, but I dreamed of seeing what kind of hockey they play in North America and wanted to test myself. My father immediately told me that if I chose the USHL, it would be a difficult season, but he did not even suspect how difficult it would be... The team changed four head coaches one after another, and each time I had to prove my right to enter the ice again and again, because there were guys 3-4 years older than me.

     Now I want to put on the ice all the experience I gained in the UHL, and for this I only need a sufficient amount of ice time and the trust of the coach, and I got it. I am also proud that I was able to prove my academic ability by graduating from Northwood School  with  3,83 GPA. This year is very important for me. I have to prove to myself that I am ready to play at the junior level as effectively as I did in USHS-Prep last season.