This season, he's been working under the tutelage of Gatineau's head coach Eric Landry, Clark, and Jackets' high performance consultant Nelson Ayotte to continue his development.
"He's physically getting stronger," Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. "As a small player you want to get more explosive, move faster and quicker. I think he's doing all of that and he's also getting used to the North American style more and going into the small areas.
"He's fearless for a small guy. He'll drive to the net, I saw evidence of that when I saw him and that's where all the goals are scored so he's doing it. He's having a great year."
The exciting part of the challenge for Abramov will be to continue to fine-tune his game without losing his offensive creativity. It's not a unique challenge, Clark says. Most younger players go through the same thing.
"He's got to pick his spots when to be his creative self," Clark says. "A lot of young guys don't realize situational awareness yet. It's about learning there is a time and a place for everything. If it's the end of a shift and you're tired, do you really need to go one-on-two, and if the puck gets turned over are you going to get back and go on defense."
Clark checks in with Abramov frequently, and visits him throughout the season. They talk about the little things to work on like not taking too long of shifts or knowing when to not go after the scoring chance if you're tired.
There's one thing that Abramov can't change, and that is his stature. At 5-foot-9, he doesn't fit the traditional build of an NHL hockey player. But just as players like Cam Atkinson have shown, that's not a problem for a player like Abramov.
2016 Development Camp 3-on-3 Highlights
"The game has changed," Clark said. "If these guys can make it and if they can produce, it doesn't matter how tall they are. He's got that ability to be strong. He's a great skater so he doesn't get knocked off the puck easily. He doesn't shy away from anything."
Off the ice Abramov is impressing as well. The forward left his native Russia and came to North America two years ago, and is now learning the French and English languages. It's a credit to how much he's committed to doing what it takes to reach the NHL.
"His determination is probably his biggest asset," Clark says. "If he keeps playing the way he does, and keeps progressing, I think he'll definitely make the NHL. And if does, it's pure determination. He's got that will in his game."
