Vadim Sharifijanov Vadim Sharifijanov ( born December 23 , 1975 in Ufa , Russia ) is a professional ice hockey right winger who spent parts of three seasons in the National Hockey League . He currently plays in the Vysshaya Liga , or Russian 2nd division , with Torpedo Nizhny Tagil . Playing career . Sharifijanov burst onto to the international hockey scene in 1992 , when he was named a tournament all - star after scoring 8 goals in 6 games at the European U18 Championships at the age of only 16 . After two solid seasons with Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the Russian Super League , he was selected in the first round ( 25th overall ) of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils . He spent one more year in Russia with HC CSKA Moscow before coming to North America , and also turned in a stellar performance at the 1995 World Junior Championships , recording 10 points in 7 games . Sharifijanov joined the Albany River Rats , New Jersey ' s AHL affiliate , after the Russian season ended in 1995 , and scored 2 points in his first North American professional game . However , his progress to the NHL would be slow in a deep New Jersey system , and his first three full seasons were spent almost entirely in Albany , appearing in only 2 NHL games during the 1996 – 97 campaign . In 1998 – 99 , Sharifijanov was finally promoted to the Devils and turned in a highly successful rookie season , recording 11 goals and 27 points in just 53 games . Stocky and strong on the puck , he displayed a well - rounded all - around game and a solid touch around the net . However , in 1999 – 00 his play fell off considerably . After scoring just 3 goals in 20 games for the Devils , and showing a marked drop - off in his defensive play , Sharifijanov was shipped to the Vancouver Canucks for a draft pick . In Vancouver , he made an instant impact , scoring a goal on his first shift as a Canuck , but it was all downhill from there as he quickly became a healthy scratch and earned a reputation for lazy play . He finished the season with just 5 goals and 10 points in 37 games , as well as a + / - rating of a dismal - 13 . The 2000 – 01 season would prove no better , as Sharifijanov failed to crack the Canucks ' roster out of training camp and was assigned to the Kansas City Blades of the International Hockey League , where he spent the entire season . Released by the Canucks , Sharifijanov returned to Russia . He would continue to struggle in Russia , however , and would suit up for 6 different Super League teams in the next three seasons without making any significant impact for any of them . After brief stints in France and Sweden , Sharifijanov signed on with Torpedo Nizhny Tagil of the Russian 2nd division in 2005 , and has played there since . In 92 NHL games , Sharifijanov recorded 16 goals and 21 assists for 37 points , along with 50 penalty minutes . His sudden decline in ability while still a young player remains unexplained - at age 23 , he was a key young player on an elite NHL team , and by the time he turned 26 he was already unable to hold down a regular job on low - level RSL teams . In 2005 , Sharifijanov admitted to using steroids early in his career when he was with the Russian league , Russian National junior team , and New Jersey Devils . He said he stopped using them in 2001 and shrunk from his 205 lb . weight to 170 lb . weight . Sharifijanov also stated that it helped rise as a young player in the Russian league when he was a teenager and when began play with the New Jersey Devils .