Get to Know Vadim Virjassov

Fan favourite 29 year old Vadim Virjassov is playing his 5th year in the AIHL. This season from 21 games Vadim has scored six goals and had 11 assists for 17 points. Vadim took up hockey at the age of 8 years old. He’d tried a lot of other sports but found out he likes hockey the most. (I am sure Mustangs fans are glad that Vadim found hockey)

Given Vadim now calls Australia home, we’d previously asked him what made him come out to Australia in the first place. "When the season finished in Europe," said Vadim, "I felt I didn't get enough hockey that year. I wanted to continue playing and I found out that in 
Australia the hockey season was just starting. So I decided to challenge myself and give Australia a try."

Vadim likes Australia so much he has decided to become a permanent resident

Vadim told us the NHL team he supports is the Detroit Red Wings and his favourite NHL player is the 1248 game playing Russian, Sergei Federov, who Vadim describes as "universal."

Vadim’s game day preparation is fairly simple but he does follow a set routine. Tape his sticks, good stretch, good warm up.

Whilst anyone seeing Vadim play can see that he is a silky smooth and skillful player, Vadim is incredibly humble about his hockey. When asked to describe himself a player he suggested we ask his Coaches or teammates. We did, and it was all positive.

One of Vadim’s favourite hockey memories is playing in the 2002 Tretiak Cup in Moscow on the 30th Anniversary of the 1972 Super Series between USSR and Canada, beating CSKA and finishing 2nd in that tournament. He’s also proud of representing his country at the 2013 World Championships.

We hope that the Mustangs can continue to add to Vadim’s hockey memories and we look forward to many more games in orange and black from Vadim in the years ahead.