Vitalii Abramov's trophy collection continues to grow.
Three weeks after capturing the prestigious Jean Béliveau Trophy for leading the QMJHL in scoring, the Columbus Blue Jackets prospect bagged the Michel Brière Memorial Trophy as league MVP.
The Gatineau Olympiques right wing finished the regular season with 104 points (46 goals and 58 assists) in 66 games. He was first in the QMJHL in total points, primary points (88), 5-on-5 goals (37) and 5-on-5 primary pionts (65). As a rookie last season, Abramov won the RDS Cup, awarded to the league's top newcomer with a 38–55–93 campaign.
Abramov's Olympiques were recently bounced in the first round of the QMJHL playoffs by the the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, 4–3. The Chelyabinsk, Russia native will make his debut for the Cleveland Monsters Friday night in Milwaukee.
Abramov was selected 65th overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Here's his slick work in the 4-on-4 tournament at the Blue Jackets' 2016 Development Camp:
"He has a knack for doing what the other team doesn't know you're going to do," Jackets development coach Chris Clark said. "He's exciting to watch. Every time he touches the puck he thinks it's a scoring chance. He's fast, he's got skill, he'll go into the corners, he'll go to the front of the net, and he'll take a big hit and pop right back up. He does all those things I love watching."
The Brière Trophy is named for Quebec native and former Pittsburgh Penguin Michael Brière, who was killed in a car accident following his NHL rookie season. Previous winners of the award include Sidney Crosby (2004 and 2005), Brad Richards (2000), Mario Lemieux (1984), Pat LaFontaine (1983), Dale Hawerchuk (1981) and Denis Savard (1980).
