'Dynamic' Kazakhstan forward Makysh signs on with Spitfires
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The Windsor Spitfires announced on Thursday that Kazakhstan forward Bexultan Makysh, who was a second-round pick by the club in the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft, has signed on with the team.
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'It feels amazing,' the 17-year-old Makysh said. 'I'm really happy to be part of the team and can't wait to get started.
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One of the toughest transitions for an import player is making the adjustments to playing in North America.
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'It's getting used to the size of rink and the English language,' Spitfires' general manager Bill Bowler said.
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Makysh got an early jump on that when he joined the Boston Hockey Academy prior to the 2023-24 season.
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'I've been wanting to play in North America for a long time and our team from Kazakhstan participated in the WSI (World Selects Invitational) Tournament in Nashville and then I was noticed by the Boston Hockey Academy,' Makysh said. 'After that, my parents and I decided that it was worth trying my luck there.
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'The smaller rinks were a big change for me. Everything happens quicker and there's less space. You have to make faster plays and be more physical.'
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Despite a more than 9,000km move from his home in Astana to Boston, Makysh quickly found his game in North America.
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'He's a dynamic offensive player,' Bowler said. 'There'll be some transition (to the OHL). How long it takes is up to him, but we're confident he'll get results at this level. He's got offensive instincts that are better than most and his creativity is something special.'
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Playing for the U15 team in 2023-24, Makysh posted 66 goals and 115 points in 55 games. He followed it up this past season with 64 goals and 121 points in 57 games with the U16 team.
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'Boston was a great place for me to get better on and off the ice,' Makysh said. 'The hockey there was fast and skilled and it pushed me to improve every day. It helped me become a more complete player and showed me what it takes to play at the next level.'
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Makysh was also tied for second in team scoring with two goals and four points in five games in helping Kazakhstan to a bronze-medal finish at the World Under-18 Division 1A Hockey Championships in April.
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