Sting coach thinks Leafs prospect Korostelev could have a breakout OHL season
OSHAWA, Ont. — Sarnia Sting coach Derian Hatcher is not afraid to load Nikita Korostelev’s shoulders with lofty expectations. Hatcher can envision the Maple Leafs prospect racking up 50 goals in his fourth Ontario Hockey League season.
“Nikita is tremendously talented. You could see it last year,” said Hatcher, a former NHL defenceman now in his second season behind Sarnia’s bench. “We talked about it before the year started that if he found that scoring touch a little more that he could get 50 goals this year.
“You can see he’s starting to do things more consistently the right way and it’s paying off for him.”
Korostelev, who scored 23 goals last season, has impressed early this season with the Sting. The 19-year-old has 11 goals and five assists through his first 10 games and is amongst the league scoring leaders.