Mikhail Stefanovich

Mikhail Stefanovich (born November 27, 1989) is a Belarusian major junior ice hockey right winger who currently plays for the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the fourth round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career
Stefanovich's career started out in his home country of Belarus, spending just over two seasons in Belarusian Vysshaya Liga half a season with Dinamo Minsk-2, and just over one and a half seasons with HC Gomel-2. After playing just three games with HC Homiel-2 in the 2006–07 season, HC Gomel of the Belarusian Extraliga called him up. He finished the rest of the season with Homiel and drew a great deal of attention from North American teams.

Following the season with Homiel, Stefanovich was selected 54th overall in the 2007 CHL Import Draft by the Quebec Remparts. Upon arriving in Canada, Stefanovich made the Remparts roster and quickly adjusted to the North American-style of hockey. Halfway through his inaugural QMJHL season, Stefanovich was selected to play in the CHL Top Prospects Game and, following the conclusion of the season, received the Mike Bossy Trophy, which is awarded to the QMJHL player judged to be the best professional prospect.

He was drafted 98th overall by Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2008 NHL Draft.

Scouts have identified that Stefanovich possesses a quick and accurate wrist shot and superb offensive instincts, but is not an overtly physical player, even for someone of his large stature. It is also said that his play is inconsistent and his skating is supbar, but his amazing hockey sense and play-reading ability negate his lack of skating ability. His play throughout the 2008–09 QMJHL season has exemplified that he is starting to become a more consistent and driven player. These improvements have been credited, some say, to his pre-season tryout with the Maple Leafs, where he befriended fellow Belorussian Mikhail Grabovski and Russian Nikolai Kulemin. In order to make the team, he realized he needed to improve these negative aspects of his game.

On June 1, 2009, Stefanovich was selected 2nd overall in the 2009 KHL Junior Draft by HC Dinamo Minsk. Two days later, on June 3, he was signed to an entry-level contract by the Maple Leafs. On September 19, 2009, Stefanovich was assigned to the Toronto Marlies, the AHL affiliate of the Maple Leafs. He still played the 2009-10 season with the Remparts.

Stefanovich began the 2010-11 season with Reading Royals of the ECHL and with Toronto Marlies of the AHL, but he only played four games for Royals and two games for Marlies, then moved Stefanovich back to Europe. He finished this season with Dynamo Minsk of the KHL where he stayed also for the beginning of the next season.

Stefanovich played only five games for Dynamo in the 2011-12 season, after these, Stefanovich moved to his old club HK Gomel of the BHL. He stayed there until the end of the 2012-13 season.

Next two season spent Stefanovich in Russian Vysshaya Liga. First half of the 2013-14 season played for Toros Neftekamsk, second half for Lada Togliatti. The 2014-15 season spent Stefanovich with Dizel Penza, but he played only twelve games.

In 2015-16 season, Stefanovich tried his luck in North America once again. He signed with Rapid City Rush of the ECHL. After that season, he moved back to his native Belarus.

Between 2016 - 2018, Stefanovich played with Neman Grodno of the BHL. Then he spent one season with Yunost Minsk.

For 2019-20 season, Stefanovich signed with Dinamo Minsk of the KHL. He played there almost all of the season, only the end of the regular season and play-offs played with the Yunost Minsk of the BHL.

International play
Stefanovich played for Belarus at the 2006 World U18 Championship, 2007 World U18 Championship Division I, 2007 World Junior Championship, 2008 and 2009 World Junior Championships Division I and at the 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2017 World Championships.

Awards

 * Rookie Player of the Month (September 2007)
 * RDS Rookie Excellence Award (Mid-Season)
 * Mike Bossy Trophy — 2007–08 (Top QMJHL Professional Prospect)