Koko making an immediate impact

by Evan Mathias

The Windsor Spitfires have regained a big piece of their offence with the return of centre Alexander Khokhlachev.
The 19 year old returned to the Spitfires after playing 26 games with Spartak Moskva of the Kontinental Hockey League. In his time playing for Spartak he managed just seven points.

“It’s a lot different, playing pro, playing with men its different then playing here in junior,” said Khokhlachev. “(Playing in Russia) helped me a lot and it was a really good experience,” said Khokhlachev.

Since being back in Windsor Koko has five points in three games. Spitfires coach Bob Boughner said his return to the team was a timely one.
“He’s made an immediate impact, he’s obviously made the guys around him better,” said Boughner. “You’ve got an elite player playing at centre, it’s going to help any team and it has definitely given us a big boost.”
Boughner said he isn’t sure if Koko going to play in Russia was the best thing for the 19-year-old star.
“I think he wanted to play with bigger stronger guys and play the pro game but at the end of the day goal scorers have to score and that wasn’t happening over there,” said Boughner. “I think to get back here and be able to show his offence and play that role that he needs to play is really going to help him and us.”
Khokhlachev will need to continue making an impact on offence as the Spits push for a playoff spot.