BOMBERS SIGN BELARUSIAN NATIONAL TEAM FORWARD

The Long Beach Bombers are proud to announce the signing of Team Belarus U20 forward, Gennady Malaschenko. The 6’0, 175lb left shot winger is from Mogilev, Belarus. Malaschenko was born January 7, 1998.

Last season, in Belarus Extraliga (top Belarusian pro league), Malaschenko had a stat line of 24GP-11G-6A-17Pts. Malaschenko’s 11 Goals were good for 2nd on the Team Belarus U20 (under-20 national team) squad. He finished the season with HK Mogilev, scoring 3 Points in 8 Games Played. His 20 total points were 5th-most for junior-aged players in the Extraliga. His 13 Goals (in 32 Games Played) were tied for 23rd, overall; one less than Roman Serafimovich, who had 42GP-14G. Malaschenko was also named to the Belarus World Junior Championship U20 team, and traveled to Buffalo for the tournament. Unfortunately, he encountered an injury, and was not able to participate in any games.

In 2016-2017, Malaschenko had over a point-per-game in the Belarus 2 league (42GP-44Pts). As a 17 year-old, he had 12 Points for Dinamo-Raubichi in Russia’s top junior league, the MHL. Malaschenko will become the 4th player from Belarus in Bombers history (Pavel Ratskevich, Roman Serafimovich, & Kirill Markevich).

Long Beach Bombers Head Coach & General Manager, Chris White, commented, “Gennady comes from a Belarus National Team background, that has produced former Bombers greats like Kirill Markevich and Roman Serafimovich. I see a passion and a work ethic in Gennady’s game that reminds me of when I first saw Kirill Markevich. He possesses a tenacity and competitiveness that, when added to his skill level, should lead to a lot of production, for us. He attacks pucks, and loves to score, much like Artem Korolev. I think Gennady is going to be a very good player, and we’re hoping he can quickly make some adjustments, in order to be a leader and top producer. Gennady has the potential to be an elite player in the WSHL, and I fully expect him to realize that potential.”

Gennady’s Player Profile Page: https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/374674/gennadi-malashchenko

Q & A WITH GENNADY MALASCHENKO: 

Last season, you played for the Team Belarus U20 squad, scoring 17 points in 24 games. How did the season go, for you, and for the team?

The season went good for me. I got pro hockey experience, and moved from juniors to pro hockey without any problems. I had good stats in my first season in Extra League. The team had a good debut on a pro level; we were Top-5 in Extra League, before the World Championship, in Buffalo.

 Three seasons ago, you played in Russia's top U20 league, the MHL. How have you developed as a player, since that experience?

As a player, I changed my game in many aspects. I also got better in all aspects of the game.

 You will become the fourth Belarusian player to put on a Bombers jersey. Pavel Ratskevich, Roman Serafimovich, & Kirill Markevich have preceded you. Did you talk to any of your fellow countrymen, and former Bombers, before deciding to sign with Long Beach? 

Yes, I’ve talked to Kirill Markevich. He was happy to play here, and told me a lot of good things about the Long Beach Bombers.

 What type of player should Bombers fans expect to see, when Gennady Malashenko is on the ice?

I’m an offensive and technical player. I love to score a lot of goals, and play for the team. I try to make good passes, and create scoring chances.

 What are you most looking forward to, both on and off the ice, in Southern California?

I think I will help the team win the Thorne Cup. Also, I will get this US hockey experience, which will help me get better as a player. Off the ice, I expect to meet new people, enjoy the life in a big city, and I hope to learn something new for myself.