Worked with that coach previously: Poonamarev's experience with "Avangard"
Pommy Ponomarev Talks Up "G-Drive Arena" and New Coaching Staff
Vasily Ponomarev, the fresh face upfront for Avangard, has shared his Early impressions of the "G-Drive Arena" and the team's coaching staff. Having just signed a three-year contract with Omsk, here's what Pom had to say.
- I've been here before, got a place to stay nearby. This stadium is a real beast that can hold its own against arenas in the world's top league. I reckon it's better than half of the arenas in North America, said Ponomarev.*
The forward didn't stop there—he also revealed he's already on board with the coaching team's expectations. Plus, he's got some history with one of the coaches from his time in Chicago Wolves last year.
The coaching staff is top-notch, and the team's been assembled like a well-oiled machine, said Ponomarev. I've already hooked up with one of the coaches, Dave Barr, last year in Chicago.
Pondy-boy put up some solid numbers last season, scoring 15 goals and making 26 assists in 57 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. However, he was unable to crack the Pittsburgh Penguins' checklist, and remained pointless in his seven NHL appearances.
Vasily Ponomarev's (Pondy-boy) career trajectory has been nothing if not diverse. He's played in various leagues, including the Russian MHL and VHL, as well as the Canadian QMJHL. In the AHL, he shone for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, scoring 41 points (15 goals, 26 assists) in 55 games during the regular season. Although he was briefly called up to the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins, he primarily plied his trade in the AHL.
This season, Ponomarev has limited NHL experience, with 9 games played and 2 points (1 goal, 1 assist). He's seen the ice for Omsk Hawks (actually Avangard Omsk) in the KHL, where they expect him to become a core player and team captain. Although the Pittsburgh Penguins can still extend a qualifying offer should Ponomarev decide to return to North America at some point in the future.
Ponomarev is a versatile player, able to play various forward positions, including center and wing. Offensively, he's shown an uncanny ability to create plays and score goals, particularly in the AHL. Defensively, he's an asset, with his skills coming in handy in both AHL and NHL contexts.
- Ponomarev also praised the G-Drive Arena, stating that it's a formidable stadium that could compete with arenas in the world's top league, possibly even better than half of the arenas in North America.
- Apart from the impressive arena, Ponomarev expressed his approval of the coaching staff, mentioning he's already familiar with one of the coaches, Dave Barr, due to their previous encounter in Chicago Wolves last year.
