About the on/off - ice coach
Bohdan Zinchenko
My name is Bohdan Zinchenko. I was born in 2002 in Ukraine and have been living in Brossard since 2010. Unlike many professional players, I didn’t follow the typical path.
I played all my minor hockey in the Brossard association, mainly in simple lettre — often without exposure, without private coaches, and without the specialized structures offered by certain elite schools or programs.
For years, I was left out of double lettre, sometimes because of unfair decisions, sometimes simply because I didn’t fit the mold. But I never gave up. Over the years, a unique training system developed: exercises adapted to my real needs as a player. It was far from perfect, but it was serious, structured, and focused on progress.
It was only in Midget that I finally had the chance to play two seasons in double lettre, which then allowed me to make the jump to Junior AAA. Even though I was never drafted, my hard work earned me an invitation to the Baie-Comeau Drakkar (LHJMQ) camp. Unfortunately, that invitation was withdrawn due to COVID restrictions.
After my junior years, I doubled down on my efforts to reach the professional level — without “contacts,” just with discipline, a love for what I do, and the determination not to let my past define my future. Today, I play in the FPHL, a North American minor pro league, where I perform above average, with a clear goal of making it to the ECHL.
I learned how to train myself, to push my limits without high-level supervision, and to understand what a player really needs to improve in modern hockey.
The goal isn’t to sell dreams, but to show that it’s possible to grow, even without the perfect path. Talent is great. But discipline, love for the game, and smart work are what truly make the difference in the long run.
I played all my minor hockey in the Brossard association, mainly in simple lettre — often without exposure, without private coaches, and without the specialized structures offered by certain elite schools or programs.
For years, I was left out of double lettre, sometimes because of unfair decisions, sometimes simply because I didn’t fit the mold. But I never gave up. Over the years, a unique training system developed: exercises adapted to my real needs as a player. It was far from perfect, but it was serious, structured, and focused on progress.
It was only in Midget that I finally had the chance to play two seasons in double lettre, which then allowed me to make the jump to Junior AAA. Even though I was never drafted, my hard work earned me an invitation to the Baie-Comeau Drakkar (LHJMQ) camp. Unfortunately, that invitation was withdrawn due to COVID restrictions.
After my junior years, I doubled down on my efforts to reach the professional level — without “contacts,” just with discipline, a love for what I do, and the determination not to let my past define my future. Today, I play in the FPHL, a North American minor pro league, where I perform above average, with a clear goal of making it to the ECHL.
I learned how to train myself, to push my limits without high-level supervision, and to understand what a player really needs to improve in modern hockey.
The goal isn’t to sell dreams, but to show that it’s possible to grow, even without the perfect path. Talent is great. But discipline, love for the game, and smart work are what truly make the difference in the long run.
2020 Junior AAA
Bohdan Zinchenko (No. 78) capped off the Braves' comeback with a goal and an assist within 90 seconds in the third period. (Photo: Journal Saint-François – Pierre Langevin)
Bohdan Zinchenko
This article was originally published in French and has been translated into English.
JUNIOR HOCKEY.
It’s a cliché, but good teams find a way to win even when they’re not playing their best hockey.
The Valleyfield Braves had two rough periods during the visit from the Chambly Forts on Thursday night, before staging a third-period comeback to defeat their opponents 6–5.
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The Ukrainian-born forward tied the game 5–5 at 10:15 of the third period with a perfect shot from a nearly impossible angle. The puck hit the crossbar before bouncing into the back of the net.
Ninety seconds later, Zinchenko was sent back into the action alongside Maxime Lavoie and Thomas Vézina. Number 78 made a brilliant play to set up Thomas Vézina (his 14th) who beat goaltender Alex Brousseau with a one-timer to score what would stand as the game-winning goal.
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2021 LHJMQ
This article was originally published in French and has been translated into English.
Drakkar General Manager Pierre Rioux announced that the organization has extended four invitations ahead of the team’s upcoming training camp. Two defensemen and two forwards have been added to the list of drafted players.
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Bohdan Zinchenko – LW – 6’00”, 160 lbs – 17 years old.
Bohdan is a European-born forward who holds North American skater status. He played in the Junior AAA circuit last season. He’s a gritty forward with a strong offensive touch. He’ll have the opportunity to showcase his skills at the upcoming camp.
2022
by Jocelyn Chevrier/LHJAAAQ
WEST ISLAND SHAMROCK’S ZINCHENKO THINKING OF UKRAINE
MONTREAL — Bohdan Zinchenko plays hockey for the West Island Shamrocks.
He started his career in the LHJAAAQ during the 2019-20 season as a member of the Valleyfield Braves.
That year, the team that is still coached by Dave Rochon, was a formidable unit.
As a matter of fact, the Braves finished the regular season winning their division and trailing the regular season champions, the Collège Français de Longueuil, by a single point. Valleyfield was considered as a serious contender to win the playoffs.
Once the season was over, Bohdan was shipped to the Shamrocks in a major transaction between the two teams.
It was a very tough move for Bohdan since he really enjoyed playing for the Braves.
However, he joined the Shamrocks with an open mind and became rapidly one of the team’s key players.
We all know about the Shamrocks situation this year. Their team is winless, but despite the repeating losses, Bohdan opted to keep playing for West Island and never requested a trade to a better team.
He will finish as the Shamrock’s top scorer and he is without a doubt, their best offensive weapon.
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2022 - 2023
Hockey Can't Stop Tour
A month ago, I received an phone call from the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine. They extended an invitation for me to join the national Ukrainian hockey team U25 on a journey across Canada as part of the "Hockey Can't Stop Tour." Additionally, I was invited to participate in the highly anticipated FISU games in 2023, which were scheduled to take place in Lake Placid.
Following some intensive training sessions, I embarked on my journey, flying to Saskatoon to unite with my teammates and kick off this tour!
Throughout the tour, we had the privilege of facing off against some of the finest university teams in U sports. Our matches took place in some of Canada's most iconic arenas, including the magnificent Canada Life Center in Winnipeg. What struck me the most was the overwhelming support from the passionate Ukrainian community that filled these arenas, waving flags and cheering us on with unwavering enthusiasm.
Regrettably, as the tour came to an end, I had to make the difficult decision to return home due to unexpected passport issues. Nevertheless, I continue to cheer on my teammates from afar and wish them the very best in the upcoming FISU games. Here are some photos of me proudly representing our team during the tour, capturing the unforgettable moments and memories.
FPHL 2023 - 2025
Bohdan Zinchenko began his FPHL career in the 2023–24 season with the Danbury Hat Tricks, where he played 46 games, recording 13 goals, 16 assists, and 29 points. Known for his strong two-way play, he excelled on the penalty kill, scoring 4 shorthanded goals, which highlighted his ability to make an impact in key moments.
In the 2024–25 season, Zinchenko played for several teams, starting with the Danbury Hat Tricks for 12 games, where he added 1 goal, 5 assists, and 6 points. Although his time with Danbury was brief, he continued to contribute as an important depth player for the team.
Zinchenko then joined the Dashers Hockey, where he became a key offensive contributor, scoring 9 goals, 3 assists, and 12 points in 19 games. Despite the Dashers’ struggles as one of the league’s bottom teams, Zinchenko’s performance stood out, and he was regarded as one of the team’s most consistent and reliable players.
Currently, Zinchenko is with the Athens Rock Lobsters, one of the league's top organizations, where he is pursuing the 2024–25 FPHL Cup in the playoffs. During this season, he has also caught the attention of SPHL scouts, further raising his profile in the hockey world.
