Russia U18 roster is finalized

07 Apr 2012 | Davide Tuniz

Despite the absence of star Mikhail Grigorenko, playing with senior team, coach Andrei Parfenov is confident for improving last year's third place

Coach Andrei Parfenov announces the final Russia U18 roster for World Championship in Czech Republic, where Russian will face Germany, Latvia, Sweden and Switzerland in preliminary round

Goalkeepers: Igor Ustinsky (Gazovik Tyumen), Ivan Nalimov (SKA-1946 St. Petersburg), Andrei Vasilevski (Tolpar Ufa).

Defenders: Andrei Mironov (HC MVD Balashikha), Stanislav Gareev (Tolpar Ufa), Nikita Lisov (Red Army Moscow), Aleksei Bereglazov (Steel Fox Magnitogorsk), Kirill Maslov (Loko Yaroslavl), Egor Malenkikh (SKA-1946 St. Petersburg ), Nikita Zadorov (Red Army Moscow), Damir Galin (Bars Kazan).

Forwards: Anton Slepyshev (Metallurg Nk), Bogdan Yakimov (Reactor Nizhnekamsk), Aleksei Filippov (White Bear Chelyabinsk), Sergei Kuptsov (Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors - OHL), Daniel Zharkov (Belleville Bulls - OHL), Vyacheslav Osnovin (White Bears Chelyabinsk), Aleksandr Barabanov (SKA-1946 St. Petersburg), Dennis Kamaev (Rouyn Noranda Huskies - QMJHL), Arseny Khatsey ( MHK Spartak Moscow), Aleksandr Lebedev (Lokomotiv Yaroslavl), Valery Nichushkin (White Bear Chelyabinsk) Aleksandr Delnov (Mytischi Atlantes).

Notable absences in the roster are Valery Vasiliev, Evgeny Krutikov and Anton Ivanyuzhenkov., all injured.

Andrei Mironov, Aleksandr Lebedev and Aleksandr Delnov earn their first cap.

Russia will complete preparation in Czech Republic playing a friendly match against Denmark