ROCHESTER – One night earlier this season in Utica, when defenseman Vsevolod Komarov was still looking for his first pro goal, Americans coach Mike Leone figured the rookie deserved a chance to score on the power play.
“The bench was, ‘Let’s get Komy his goal,’” Leone recently told the Times Herald following a practice in Blue Cross Arena.
The excitement from his coach and teammates illustrates how badly the Amerks wanted to see the Buffalo Sabres prospect score that elusive goal.
Komarov, 20, did not score that game or for a while following his rare opportunity on the man advantage.
Finally, on Jan. 19, in his 36th game, the Russian converted defense partner Kale Clague’s pass in the front of the net early in a 5-4 road loss to the Hershey Bears.
“It felt amazing,” Komarov said. “… I feel good now.”
Amerks assistant coach Nathan Paetsch, who said he “was pumped” watching the goal, could see how much relief Komarov felt.
“He had a little more swagger to him the rest of the game,” said Paetsch, who’s in charge of the defense. “… He was an offensive player, and to get that out of the way, I think it’ll just keep coming now for him offensively.”
Following the game, Leone presented the likable Komarov with the puck.
SAVE THAT PUCK
Vsevolod Komarov gets his first @theAHL goal!
(cc: @BuffaloSabres) pic.twitter.com/OGVX9FXe7s
— Rochester Americans (@AmerksHockey) January 19, 2025
Komarov showcased his scoring prowess throughout his career in the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League, compiling 28 goals and 127 points in 182 games. Last year, he scored 14 goals and 69 points, the highest among the league’s defensemen, in 60 outings with the Quebec Remparts and Drummondville Voltigeurs.
Barely four months into his first AHL season, any offensive contributions from the 6-foot-4, 208-pound Komarov are a bonus. Right now, he’s adjusting to pro hockey and playing against men for the first time.
“Now I feel comfortable,” said Komarov, who believes he has improved his speed. “At the start, it was like everything (was) different, you play boys versus men. It’s much different, different hockey. But now I feel like I have the confidence to play here.”
The Amerks display their confidence by awarding Komarov about 18 minutes of ice time per outing, according to Paetsch, usually alongside the offensive-minded Clague.
“He’s a guy that can play in all situations,” Paetsch said of Komarov. “But, obviously, he’s 20, his rookie season, it’s a learning curve. And he’s had some games he’s wowed you, and some games he’s maybe had (some) struggles. But that’s maybe what you expect.
“The one thing that hasn’t changed is his work ethic, which has been elite. Every day, he comes to the rink with a smile on his face and puts the work in. So he’s only going to get better and better.”
After the Sabres drafted Komarov in the fifth round in 2022, 134th overall, he quickly morphed into one of the Canadian Hockey League’s most dynamic players.
A strong argument can be made he has developed into Buffalo’s top defense prospect.
“It’s 100 percent going to be a process,” Komarov said of his development. “But I want to make this process faster.”
Last season, Komarov won the Emile Bouchard Trophy as the QMJHL’s top defenseman and played in the Memorial Cup for the second straight year.
“He has the ability to be a pretty high-end offensive guy,” Paetsch said.
Komarov has compiled two goals, 12 points, 69 penalty minutes and a plus-10 rating in 45 games this season. He scored his second goal Saturday in, of all places, Utica, on the power play in a 4-3 overtime win against the Comets.
That first goal was nice, but Leone also noticed Komarov’s all-round game taking shape that weekend.
“His gaps were tighter, he was killing more plays at the blue line,” he said. “But he has some natural gifts offensively. For a young defenseman, (that first goal) was great. I think it was just a huge relief.”
KOMY PPG?! YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT! pic.twitter.com/fmm38Sirfr
— Rochester Americans (@AmerksHockey) February 16, 2025