Pavel Buchnevich’s fan base has grown significantly this year thanks to the breakout sophomore season he’s having with the New York Rangers. His popularity received yet another boost Wednesday night when he gave a young fan named Benjamin one of his sticks prior to a 4-3 overtime win over the Penguins.
Benjamin gained Buchnevich’s attention near the glass during warmups at Madison Square Garden by wearing one of Buchnevich’s old KHL jerseys. Prior to debuting in the NHL in 2016, Buchnevich spent the majority of his four-year KHL career with his hometown team Cherepovets Severstal. Cherepovets is not in the upper echelon of KHL franchises so it must have been quite the surprise for the 2013 third-round pick to see it.
Following the game, Benjamin was interviewed by Rangers TV reporter/host Amanda Borges and recounted his experience.
“I’m a season-ticket holder for the Rangers,” he said. “My grandfather has been a season-ticket holder for a very long time. I’m wearing this jersey tonight, my grandpa got it for me from a Russian website. It took about three months to come and then I’m at the glass, I have [Mika] Zibanejad, [Chris] Kreider, they’re all waving to me, and then I see Buchnevich and then he winks and he’s like, ‘Wow, that’s a very nice jersey,’ and then he’s talking to Vlad Namestnikov because they’re both Russian, like ‘Wow look at this kid.’ A second later, boom, Buchnevich comes and gives me the stick over the glass and I’m crying. I’m a huge Ranger fan so it’s just really emotional.”
Buchnevich has been a bright spot in a disappointing season for the Rangers and appears to be a player the team’s general manger, Jeff Gorton, can build around moving forward. One thing is for sure, Gorton and Rangers brass will love Benjamin’s scouting report on Buchnevich.
“He’s a great player,” Benjamin added. “He has a great one-timer, I love seeing him play on the power play. He’s just an overall great player and he’s gonna be someone for this rebuild for the Rangers who’s going to evolve into one of the top stars and help this team.”
[relatedlinks]
