Quick Facts
Biography
Aleksey Nikiforov (24 April 1957 in Elektrėnai, Lithuanian SSR, Soviet Union) is a Lithuanian former professional hockey player for the Dynamo Riga team of the Russian Elite League. He is the father of New York Islanders prospect Vladimir Nikiforov. He resides on Long Island where he still teaches hundreds of adults and children of various skill capabilities how to play the game.
Coaching career
Aleksey currently coaches the PAL Jr. Islanders 16u AAA team. He previously coached the New York Junior Bobcats of the Atlantic Junior Hockey League where he boasted great placement for many of his students greatly. He is credited with teaching many Long Island hockey products the game. He teaches a European style of hockey, as opposed to the North American style. This European style focuses on skating speed, puck possession, and puck movement, while the North American style focuses more on bodychecking and overall physical domination. The translation of this style is very apparent in his American-born students such as Chris Higgins of the Vancouver Canucks, Matt Gilroy and New Jersey Devils 2006 NHL Draft pick Tony Romano.
Notable students
- Darius Kasparaitis
- Dainius Zubrus
- Alexei Yashin
- Michael Komisarek
- Chris Higgins
- Bryan McCabe
- Vladimir Malakhov
- Alexei Kovalev
- Rob Scuderi
- Eric Nystrom
- Ryan Vesce
- Matt Gilroy
- Tony Romano
- Tim Kunes
- James Marcou
- Patrick McNally