From Russia, with game: Riders' Provorov a rising star

CEDAR RAPIDS - You don't have to watch Ivan Provorov long to realize the size of his hockey potential. Let's say that size is rather large, perhaps even eventual first-round NHL draft-pick large.

The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders defenseman has solid size at 6-feet and 190 pounds, can skate, shoot and pass. He has the versatility to play either point on the power play.

He can even fight, something you should ask Joe Schuldt of Sioux Falls about. The two had quite the scrap last weekend at the USHL Atlantic Challenge in New Jersey, with Provorov more than holding his own despite being four years younger than his 20-year-old opponent.

"Real good players are poised beyond their years sometimes. That's what he's shown so far," said RoughRiders Coach Mark Carlson. "Great character guy, first of all. Great guy. He is so poised, has such great hockey sense. He understands the game. It's been great to have him here so far."

It was great just to get him here. Carlson had to put on the hard sell to convince the 16-year-old Russian that Cedar Rapids was the best place to be at this stage of his promising career.

Provorov and his father, Vladimir, visited the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena last March. The RoughRiders went so far as to find a Russian translator in order to clearly answer any question Vladimir Provorov had about sending his son to Iowa.

The RoughRiders ended up spending a USHL tender on Ivan, similar to what they did last year with highly touted young goaltender Chris Birdsall. Provorov is the first Russian player for the Riders since defenseman Sergei Kolosov (2005-2007).

"It's so fun. I love it here," Provorov said. "Coach just said this season we're going to have a good team. He said work hard, and we'll get you better everyday. We were impressed, so I wanted to come here and play."

Provorov came to the United States three years ago to play for a program in Pennsylvania. That's where he learned English and began to hone his considerable game.

It was tough to move away from home (in Yaroslavl, Russia) at such a young age, but he and his family believed it was what was best for his future. He had an assistant coach from Ukraine to help him as much as he could with the transition to a new country.

"I knew like the basics (of English)," Provorov said. "In three months, I got better and better with it. When you live here, you don't have an option. You can't speak Russian, you have to speak English.

"I knew there are more good teams here. I think the USHL is a better junior league. I wanted to play here. Now that I'm here, I want to work hard, so I can go to college."

Make no mistake, Major Junior teams from Canada will be all over Provorov. He is eligible to be drafted there next season, which makes a lot of hockey "experts" believe he'll be a one-and-done player for the RoughRiders.

But Provorov said his plan is to play two years in Cedar Rapids, then go to college. He mentioned schools like Penn State, Cornell and Yale recruiting him, though word is he will commit to one of the power programs, and perhaps very soon.

His parents value education. His mom, Venera, is a cardiologist in Russia.

"I think I can play whatever system (a) coach tells us to play," Provorov said. "I can play offensively, be an offensive defenseman or be a defensive defenseman. I think I'm well rounded.

"I just want to get better in all areas: shooting, skating. And I want to try and win the Clark Cup as a team."

The RoughRiders are in Indianapolis participating in the USHL Fall Classic East.