Galiev and Kashirsky hold the Kelly Cup after the game. (Photo credit: @Galixon_97)
Caps prospect Stan Galiev, the 29th ranked prospect in the world coming into this season, may not have stuck with the AHL’s Hershey Bears all year long, but the Russian forward rebounded in a big way with the ECHL’s Reading Royals. The Russian winger scored 47 points in 46 games, including this sick goal which got him featured on SportsCenter’s Top 10 in early December. Galiev continued performing for the Royals in the playoffs, scoring 11 points in 13 playoff games to help Reading win the 2012-13 championship.
This is Galiev’s third straight championship season. In 2010-11, Galiev’s junior team, the Saint John Sea Dogs, captured both the QMJHL championship and the CHL championship, the Memorial Cup. The next year, the Sea Dogs repeated as QMJHL champions. You would think that after so many rings and championship trophies, Galiev would find the whole winning championships thing dull, but then he went out and won a title in his first pro season too.
First year as a pro… First pro championship!!!! Thank you guys for a great season!!Lets go Royals!!! @rroyalshockey #KellyCupChampions
— Stanislav Galiev (@Galixon_97) May 26, 2013
With the 6-0 win over Stockton Sunday, Nikita Kashirsky, Alex Ovechkin’s best friend growing up, won his second career Kelly cup. Minor league defenseman Patrick Wellar also became only the second player in ECHL history to win the Kelly Cup three times. He’s also won a title with the Hershey Bears.
Here’s Stan after his last four championship wins.
2010-11 QMJHL Championship
Galiev is front and center, sitting on the ice.
2010-11 Memorial Cup Champions
Galiev is in the second row, third from the left.
2011-12 QMJHL Championship
Galiev is sitting on the ice, front row, bottom right.
2012-13 ECHL Championship
Galiev is in the second row all the way to the left.
