The Long Beach Bombers are proud to announce the return of star forward, Artem Korolev. The 2000-born winger was the youngest player on the 2017-2018 squad, but finished 3rd on the team in scoring. His 55 assists led all Bombers players. The left-shot Russian is 5’11, 160lbs.

Korolev recorded an amazing stat line of 53GP-30G-55A-85Pts. His 85-point season ranks just outside the top-10 all-time for the Long Beach franchise. It is the most by a 17 year-old, by a wide margin. His 71 regular season points, in 44 games played, is the exact same as former Bomber greats, Patrik Johansson and Johan Beatty; although, that was in their 20 year-old season. Maybe the most impressive thing, is that he shined brightest in the WSHL’s Thorne Cup Playoffs. He was named to the Thorne Cup Championship All-Star Team, after registering 14 points in 9 playoff games. It might be the tip of the iceberg, for Korolev, who recently participated in the Fargo Force (USHL) Main Camp. Korolev was also named the Long Beach Bombers’ Rookie of the Year.

Ogden Mustangs Head Coach, Jake Laime, commented, “I thought Korolev was your best player, when we played you. He was all over the ice, making things happen.” Coach Laime was referring to the two times the Mustangs and Bombers played, at the Thorne Cup Finals, in El Paso, this April.

Long Beach Bombers Head Coach & General Manager, Chris White, added, “Artem is the hardest-working, most dedicated player on the team. He is always the first one on the ice, and the last one off. He never stops trying to improve, and he never quits, on the ice. He made some huge steps in the right direction, last year, but he still has a long way to go. His skill level is elite. He is a complete player, in terms of his individual skills. The next step for him is going to be physical development, understanding of systems, and mental toughness. We are beyond excited to have one more season to develop him, and I see great things in his future. He is fearless, when it comes to pressure. He has lofty goals, and his decision to return speaks volumes about his teammates, our organization, and the WSHL. He has the potential to have a season for the record books, and I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

Artem’s Player Profile Page: https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/396113/artyom-korolyov

Q & A WITH ARTEM KOROLEV:

Last season was your rookie season of junior hockey in the United States. You finished with 53GP-30G-55A-85Pts, leading the team in assists, and finishing 3rd in scoring. How do feel about your rookie year?

I had a lot of good moments, and I had a lot of hard moments; like my injury. But generally, I can say it was a good season. I learned a lot, I grew a lot as a hockey player and person, and I think I got better than I was at the beginning. That has pushed me forward.

You continued your production into the Thorne Cup Playoffs, finishing with 14 Points in 9 Games Played, and being named to the WSHL Thorne Cup Championship All-Star Team. What do you remember from your the Bombers playoff run?

It’s always nice to get personal awards, or be named to the all-star team, but for me, first of all it’s the team result, and trying to do the best you can in every game. I remember feeling terrible after the last game in the semifinal, and I don’t want to feel that way again.

You recently attended the Fargo Force (USHL) Main Camp. Has that experience motivated you for the upcoming season?

Of course, it has motivated me. I saw the system, I saw the level, I met the coaches, and now I have the goal to get there and be a leader of this team. I know it’s easy to say, but I will be working on what I have to work on, and do whatever it takes. We will see what happens…

Tell us about some of your favorite memories, and teammates, from your first WSHL season.

I have a lot of good memories from last season. I remember when we finally beat the Monsters in the playoffs; that’s was nice. Also, when Tristan sharpened my skates for free! I have a lot of good memories. I liked all of my teammates. I don’t know, maybe Miro (Rohlik) was kind of like an example for me - how to be a more professional. I took a lot of things from him, like how to get ready before the game, what I need to do after the game, etc. Spencer (Kozlowski) helped me with shootout (Korolev’s first career hat-trick was against Kozlowski, when he was a member of the Valencia Flyers).

What are some of the things you will miss most, about Southern California, over the next couple months?

Ah, Deena’s steaks! Of course, I miss the family, I already miss the games, coaches, practicing, stickhandling for 30 minutes before the practice, but the steaks most of all.

How was your flight home?

That was great! Thanks for asking!