19-year-old Ukrainian national team goaltender Aleksandr Levshin, who plays for the Prince George Cougars in the Canadian WHL league, shared his impressions of participating in the training camp of the NHL club Vegas Golden Knights. According to the goaltender, the experience of working with the American club left exclusively positive emotions, especially compared to his previous experience in the Vancouver system.
Personal approach and organization
Levshin noted the high level of organization of the training process in Vegas. Unlike the Vancouver development camp, where a year ago he felt "like an outsider," in Vegas the players were treated with respect and interest. Coaches and staff knew the names of the participants immediately and showed a genuine interest in their lives and career plans.
"Every player received maximum attention and valuable advice from the coaches," the goaltender emphasized. In his opinion, this approach creates an atmosphere of trust and motivation, which is critically important for young athletes.
Team social responsibility
The social aspect of the club's life made a special impression on Levshin. After training, the hockey players went to a local center for the poor, where they participated in food distribution. "We packed the food and distributed it. Honestly, this experience is very memorable for me. In such places, you gain awareness and begin to better understand the reality of the people around you," the goaltender said.
Club rules: even a cap matters
There were also interesting everyday details. Levshin told about a strict rule introduced by the club president: the cap can only be worn with the brim forward. This rule applies to the entire Vegas system — from the main team to the youth structures. "This shows how seriously they take details and discipline," the player noted.
Future plans
Currently, Aleksandr Levshin continues his career with the Prince George Cougars, where he will spend another season. After that, he plans to attend Clarkson University, which will open the path for him to play for one of Vegas's farm teams in the NHL system. Last year, he already represented the Ukrainian national team at the IIHF World Championship in Division 1A.
Participation in the Vegas camp became for Levshin not only a professional experience but also an important step in understanding the culture of modern hockey — where success is built not only on the ice but also in the everyday life of the team.
