'He's fearless'

NASHVILLE - Us commoners can hardly imagine the prospect of leaving home at 14, let alone for life, and literally halfway around the world.

But that was the reality facing Russian Aydar Suniev, who spoke not a lick of English but pulled the trigger on his cross-continent voyage, anyway.

All to chase a dream.

"My parents always told me, if I wanted to reach something in life, you're going to go through challenges," he said. "So, I was looking forward to it. I knew it was going to be hard, but I knew I was going to get adjusted one day and I think it was definitely great for my development.

"I came by myself with my mom. I lived with my billet family, and then she went back home. It's been quite a while now and I definitely miss home.

Indeed, the comforts of those warm, familiar surroundings are impossible to replicate. And there are some things away from the rink he's yet to come to terms with.

"I miss the food back home," he laughed, adding that North American soup just doesn't compare to a scrumptious, home-cooked recipe.

Suniev's command of the English language is truly impressive. You can barely detect an accent and his well-spoken, intricate thought process helped detail his long and winding road to the NHL Draft, where the Flames made his dream come true.

From the Yale Jr. Bulldogs in New Haven, Connecticut, to The Hill Academy Prep School in Caledon, Ont., to St. Andrews College in the Greater GTA, and the back-to-back Fred Page Cup champion Penticton Vees of the BCHL, Suniev is well-versed in the North American grind.

And it was this moment that all the moves - all the blood, sweat and toil - worthwhile.

"It's great to be drafted by such a great organization," Suniev said after being selected with the Flames' third pick (80th overall). "It was a great season. Great for me and obviously my teammates, winning back-to-back championships. It's been a great program, great coaching staff. I developed a lot and it's definitely a great organization."

Suniev describes himself a responsible, two-way forward, but it's the offensive firepower that immediately jumps off the page. The 6-foot-2, 192-lb. left-winger had 45 goals and 90 points in 50 regular-season games with the Vees last year, before notching another 23 points (9G, 14A) in 15 playoff games.

He's a high-end playmaker with an incredible release, and attacks the middle of the ice better than most in his age group. His powerful stride makes him tricky to contain off the rush, and his ability as a relentless forechecker makes him a threat in all facets of the game.

"Sometimes I get a little nervous with Suniev because he's a little fearless when he goes to the middle," said Flames GM Craig Conroy. "I'm like, 'You've got to be a little careful!' But you know what? That's what I liked about him. He is fearless and he goes to those hard areas and he's got a real knack for scoring goals. He's got a really good shot."

Suniev, who compares himself to Hurricanes forward Andrei Svechnikov, will be on the on the move again this fall, as he heads back east to attend the University of University of Massachusetts. Calgary native Cale Maker made a name for himself at that program, and Suniev - like a good student of the game - took note of the blueliner's rapid ascent in the hockey world.

"It's going to be a good chapter in my life," he said.

Academically, and otherwise.

Suniev is keen to make his parents proud by earning a quality education and setting himself for a future away from the rink, whenever that day comes.

But with the talent he unabashedly showed in his draft year, it's certain to be a while yet.

"I think you've got to work on all aspects of your game (to reach the NHL), but I think skating is something I want to improve on," he said. "If I improve on that, I think it will definitely help at the next level."

"First of all, it was a good team. He was surrounded by good teammates," added Tod Button, the Flames Director of Amateur Scouting. "(Bradly) Nadeau went in the first round and the other Nadeau brother, who's going to school with him is a really good player, too. But the neatest thing about those guys, the whole organization - they lost three games this year and one in the playoffs, and they played the same way. They don't cheat. They're not flashy. They play honest.

"When you watch that consistently when you're up 5-0 and they're playing the same way, they're back-checking and they're responsible...

"They don't always have to score, right?

"He could play without the puck and contribute to a team winning."