TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – It was a sweltering June day in Dallas when Kirill Marchenko heard his name announced at the 2018 NHL draft.
He was a tall, lanky forward with the frame and skills to elicit projections of a power forward with offensive upside. He spoke no English. His only facial hair was a peach-fuzz mustache.
“My only wish today was to be picked by one of the teams,” Marchenko said, using an interpreter. “I’m very happy that Columbus picked me and this is probably one of the best days of my life … and that’s a dream come true.