Anisimov, Cherepanov Named to Team Russia

• Sanguinetti on U.S. World Junior Team

Artem Anisimov

Rangers prospects Artem Anisimov and Alexei Cherepanov have been named to the Russian Under-20 National Team to play at the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championships in the Czech Republic. The tournament will take place from December 26 through January 5.

Anisimov, 19, will be making his second appearance in the tournament. The 6-4, 205-pound forward registered two goals and one assist for three points, along with a plus-four rating in six games en route to winning the silver medal at the 2007 World Junior Championships.

Currently in his first season with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL), Anisimov has recorded four goals and 10 assists for 14 points in 25 games. Among first year players, he is tied for the team lead in points (14) and ranks first in assists (10). The Yaroslavl, Russia native was originally drafted by the Rangers in the second round, 54th overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

Alexei Cherepanov

Cherepanov, 18, will be making his second appearance in the tournament. The 6-1, 183-pound forward registered five goals and three assists in six games to help Russia capture the silver medal last year. He led his team in points (eight) and tied for the tournament lead in goals (five) to earn Top Forward honors and a spot on the All-Tournament Team.

Currently in his second season with Avangard Omsk of the Russian Super League (RSL), Cherepanov has tallied six goals and six assists for 12 points in 24 games. In 70 career RSL games with Avangard Omsk, he has recorded 24 goals and 17 assists for 41 points, including eight points (three goals and five assists) in 10 playoff games last season.

The Ozerki, Russia native was originally drafted by the Rangers in the first round, 17th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.