Top Rated North American Prospect Sarnia Sting's Nail Yakupov out for remainder of minor league season
The Sarnia Sting’s top forward and elite prospect rated by the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Central Scouting for North America, Nail Yakupov, faced an upper-body injury during a matchup with his team and is reported to miss the remaining minor league season.
Yakupov, a native of Russia, is one of the highest rated prospects throughout North America, and his absence could definitely have an effect on the Sarnia Sting team with three games left to go in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) regular season.
The young forward was hit in the mouth, requiring stitches, during their matchup against Owen Sound Attack during the second period. Captain, Michael Halmo, was the offender and was charged with a five-minute charging major penalty along with misconduct.
"The playoffs are important for everyone," Yakupov told NHL.com in a previous interview before the injury occurred. "I never played in the playoffs, so I want to try to see what it's like for me. Everybody wants to play more and play at a high end. Performing
in big games is better for your hockey career."
Yakupov joined the Sarnia Sting prior to the 2010-2011 regular season, his first time in the OHL. He picked up 101 points in total (49 goals, 52 assists) and 71 minutes in penalty time in 65 games played.
This season, his stats were a little lower due to having played a total of 39 games, after going out with a knee-injury, with the minor league team up until now, but still capturing an impressive 66 point record (30 goals, 36 assists).
Yakupov is expected to be revaluated again on Tuesday, March 13, 2012, and another time before the playoffs will begin to see if he can continue contributing for the team or not.
“We’ll know more after that,” said Sarnia Sting coach and general manager, Jacques Beaulieu.
Sarnia Sting will definitely miss the presence of their rookie forward as they are scheduled to take on Saginaw Spirit on Wednesday, London Knights on Friday and Plymouth Whalers on Saturday.
Further developments are expected on the player near the start of the OHL playoffs which kick off on March 22.
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