Evgenii Dadonov’s Evolution into Present Day Top Six NHL Forward

By: Clarence Paller, LGFG Director of Public Relations and Contributor for the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA)

Florida Panthers winger Evgenii Dadonov is a highly offensive and skilled forward who prides himself on his 2-way game.  Since returning to the NHL last season after playing five seasons in the KHL, Dadonov has found his scoring prowess recording 28 goals and 37 assists in 74 games for the Panthers during the 2017-18 season.  After a long off-season of training and preparation, Dadonov heads into the 2018-19 season ready to help newly appointed CaptainAleksander Barkov and the rest of the Panthers re-establish themselves as a playoff contender.

To get to where he is today though, Dadanov underwent an entire process of growth and adjustment. He was originally drafted by the Panthers in the third round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, and spent his first three seasons of professional hockey split between Florida and the Rochester Americans, the Panthers’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate at the time.  In 2012 the Panthers traded Dadonov to the Carolina Hurricanes where he finished out the season in the AHL with the Charlotte Checkers.  

From 2012 – 2017, Dadonov elected to play in the KHL with HC Donbass and later St. Petersburg SKA. It was while playing in the KHL that he gained a championship pedigree winning two Gagarin Cups as the best team in the league with SKA. He also gained invaluable experience under the tutelage of established NHL stars Ilya Kovalchukand Pavel Datsyukwhich has led to his successful reemergence in the NHL.

Dadonov’s first steps in hockey began in Chelyabinsk, Russia where he attended hockey school at six years of age. He was influenced by his older brother who also played hockey. “I followed in his footsteps,” said Dadonov. “My parents also were instrumental because they always took me to games, practices, and tournaments.”  Dadonov recalls the hockey heroeswho inspired him to pursue a hockey career. “It was the 1998 Nagano Olympics when Pavel Bure scored 5 goals against Finland which I will never forget.  I wanted to be a hockey player like Pavel after that.”

Dadonov fondly remembers his time playing in the Russian development system and then junior through the Traktor Chelyabinsk system.  “We had quite a strong team.  Very often we would take first place in our region and advance to the Russian Finals. In the Finals, we would always win first, second or third place. I will always remember these moments. It is a unique bond because in the Traktor system my teammates and I grew up together, spending 10 years on one team. Some players would come and go but it was the main group that grew up together.”

Dadonov recalls his draft day when he was selected by the Florida Panthers.  “I actually wasn’t there at the draft, I was at home in Chelyabinsk hanging out with my friends. It was my mom who found out first that I was drafted by the Panthers and she called me and gave me the great news. It was a great feeling.”

Reflecting back on his first three years of professional hockey in North America, Dadonov recalls the challenges and adversity he faced.  “At first when you come to a new country it is quite difficult. At the time I didn’t know practically any English. It was hard to understand what was being asked of me by the coaches and hard to interact with my teammates. Then there is the game itself.  It is completely different from the demands of you as a player, the size of the ice and the style of hockey. This is the standard situation that many hockey players who come from abroad face in their first year in North America,” explained Dadonov.

Following his first NHL Training Camp, Dadonov was assigned to Rochester.  However, he looked at the opportunity very objectively.  “I am not the first person who didn’t make the NHL without first playing in the AHL so I wasn’t worrying about being sent to the minors. I tried to follow the advice of what the training staff was saying to me and worked every day on improving my game. I always look at things positively and focused on learning new skills to become a better player.” 

The AHL ultimately helped Dadonov develop as a professional and eventually advance to the NHL.  “Going to the AHL really helped me solidify myself and learn the North American system. I learned a lot from the hardnosed style of hockey, interaction with Canadian, American, and European players. Playing hockey in the AHL was important also because I needed to adapt from my style of play and get acclimatized to the North American style of hockey. My time in the AHL was very beneficial for me both on and off the ice.”

Off the ice, Dadonov is grateful to the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) which isthe union that represents AHL and ECHL players for assisting in his transition to North America.  “I think they do a great job helping players and providing them the support and information they need. Their work is especially important for players who must overcome any challenges they may be facing in their personal lives.  They have many programs available for players and its very reassuring knowing that they are there for you.”

In July 2012 when Dadonov’s NHL contract expired, he was contemplating what to do next. He received offers to play in Russia and rather than holding out for an NHL contract, he decided it was best to return home to the KHL.

During his time in the KHL, Dadonov took with him what he learned in the NHL and AHL and applied it to his game overseas, especially the aspects that were identified in the NHL as needing work. “I applied those lessons and utilized them when I could on the different ice surface.  I feel it did help me achieve success in the KHL and allowed me to continue my development,” said Dadonov.  “It was also helpful playing with Datsyuk and Kovalchuk who gave insight and guidance as to what it takes to be a force in the NHL. They are legends and it was an honor to play with them and just be around them in the dressing room.”

Dadonov always knew he wanted to return to the NHL, it was just a matter of timing. “I didn’t know I would spend five seasons in the KHL it just turned out that way. When the time came for negotiations of a new contract and offers came from the NHL, I started to really think about it and that led me to re-sign with the Florida Panthers.’

Dadonov came back to the NHL a more well-rounded player including a new playing style with the focal point being two-way play.  “I always want to help the team and make solid plays on both sides of the ice.”  While last year’s campaign was successful there were still challenges.  “I had to recollect the lessons I learned early in my career and ensure that I did not sway from that. I thought it would be easier to return the second time, but it was still hard and I had to once again adapt to the English language and the North American style of hockey. With hard work and dedication everything worked out and I had a great season.”

What stood out for Dadonov was how well the team played during the second half of the season. “Of course we wanted to make the playoffs but a little bit was lacking. That said, the push and the way we played the second half really is a glimpse into how this season can go and that is very promising. I think we have a very good team with talented players like Jonathan Huberdeau and Alex Barkov.”

Dadonov has already had an illustrious international career having been part of nine Russian teams and having won gold medals at the World Junior Chamionships and World Championships.  “It is an incredible honor playing for your country and a huge responsibility. The whole team and the nation wants to reign atop the hockey world.  I recall almost every tournament very well. Winning gold is, of course, a great feeling. We had so many great teams and tournaments where we won second or third place as well. Sometimes things just didn’t go or the puck didn’t bounce our way for us to win the gold, but still, we played with our hearts on our sleeves.”

Dadonov also recalled some great moments involving Evgeni Malkin and Alex Ovechkin.  “It was during one World Hockey Championship where Malkin gathered the whole team at his house and we made traditional style Russian shish kababs. It was a very nice moment the team shared which helped us come together and perform on the ice. A similar story of Ovechkin when he gifted our whole team with earphones with the Russian coat of arms. It really goes to show the character of these great men.”

Being adaptable and remaining positive has allowed Dadonov to develop and expand his game and serves as a lesson for players who may not make the NHL out of training camp, especially those coming from overseas.  His successful resurgence in the NHL last season bodes well for the Panthers who have high aspirations for the upcoming season.