New York Islanders prospect Daniil Prokhorov significantly improved his English language skills over the summer with the unexpected assistance of New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider. Prokhorov, who is from Krasnodar, Russia, trained in Stamford, Connecticut, with a group led by strength coach Ben Prentiss. This group included Kreider, who is trilingual in English, Russian, and Spanish, as well as fellow Russian players Pavel Dorofeyev and Dmitri Voronkov.
When Prokhorov was drafted with the 10th pick in the second round a year ago, he spoke very little English. However, he recently conducted an interview with The Post at a conversational level. He credited his time spent in the United States and Kreider's guidance for his progress.
“He talks in good Russian, Kreider, and he trained me in English,” Prokhorov told The Post.
This upcoming season will mark Prokhorov's first full year in North America. He played one game for Bridgeport at the end of the previous season, spending most of the year in Russia's KHL and VHL, the country's second-highest hockey league.
Prokhorov, who stands 6-foot-5, is an imposing figure on the ice. His skating ability is an area he continues to work on. He reported a rigorous training regimen over the summer, including two daily gym sessions and one ice practice.
"Full summer I trained, my physical coach, Ben Prentiss, [did a] good job," Prokhorov stated. "Three trainings every day: two gym, one ice. It’s a good summer. I’m ready for the season."
In other team news, forward Kyle Palmieri's foundation launched Roger.vet, a free online resource designed to help veterans and their families find services on Long Island. The website currently serves veterans, service members, and their families in Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens counties, as well as New Jersey, with plans for statewide expansion in New York by 2027. Additionally, AHL Hamilton coach Jay McKee praised defenseman Vladimir Dravecky, calling him "one of the steals of the draft" after his performance last season. Former NHL player Francois Beauchemin also attended a recent practice to watch his son, Samuel, who received a camp invitation.