Alter: How one choice changed Nikita Soshnikov's fate

TORONTO - Like many people in life, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nikita Soshnikov was faced with a choice. Little did he know how significant one small, simple decision he'd make as a child would end up being.

"I was five or six years old. I was finishing kindergarten and my father asked me if I want to take part in sports," Soshnikov said, as translated by theScore. "My choice was either boxing or hockey."

Boxing may seem like an odd alternative, but it's fairly common where Soshnikov grew up. Soshnikov's hometown, Nizhny Tagil, is one of Russia's industrial epicenters. Unfortunately, it's also known for high crime. Eight prisons surround the city.

For many in Nizhny Tagil, boxing may have been the wiser choice, merely for its self-defense benefits. But Soshnikov wasn't interested.

"Right away I liked to play," Soshnikov said. "I never had a thought to stop playing hockey and it started to improve. At age 14, I went to Moscow to go play."

Soshnikov played his junior hockey in Moscow before being drafted into the KHL by Atlant Moscow Oblast. He quickly impressed with his speed and his ability to get to the net.

In 2014-15, it was becoming clear that Soshnikov's career was headed for new heights.

Becoming a Maple Leaf

The Maple Leafs were in the driver's seat to land Soshnikov thanks to the hiring of Evgeny Namestnikov as a Russian scout. Namestnikov, a former NHLer and father of current Tampa Bay Lightning forward Vladislav Namestnikov, had hands-on experience with Soshnikov - he'd served as Atlant Moscow's assistant coach.

Once Toronto's interest became apparent, Soshnikov saw more ice time.

"He told me people are watching me and they'd put me on the first line at the end of the season for 20 games," Soshnikov said. "(Namestnikov) said not to stop and continue playing and to gain momentum and then you'll go across the ocean to show yourself there."

Soshnikov finished 2014-15 with 14 goals and 32 points in 57 games. Toronto was impressed with what it saw, signing Soshnikov less than a month after his season ended.

Getting the call

With 21 games remaining on the Maple Leafs' schedule, Toronto called up Soshnikov from the AHL on Feb. 29, along with three other high-profile prospects, who represent the future for the rebuilding, last-place club. Although much of the hype has been focused on William Nylander and Kasperi Kapanen, it's been Soshnikov who has dazzled so far.

"He just looks like a hockey player to me," said Toronto head coach Mike Babcock. "He catches guys from behind, he forechecks, every team is mad at him every night, I like that a lot. I play him against the best players every night, that's pretty good for me."

Soshnikov had 18 goals and 28 points in 50 games with the Toronto Marlies. Through five NHL games, Soshnikov's scored twice and added an assist. Both goals have been highlight-reel material. He is unapologetic for his celebrations, backing them up with his physical play.

Love for the game

Living in Nizhny Tagil, watching NHL games was a challenge for Soshnikov. But it was important for him to find out what was happening with his favorite players.

"When I was small, I was waking up at three in the morning to watch reports about (Alexei) Yashin and (Pavel) Datsyuk. I tried to follow up on every Russian who played in the NHL," he said. "Teemu Selanne I really liked, a lot. Datsyuk was my favorite player."

Yashin and Selanne are long retired, but Soshnikov will likely fulfill a dream Sunday, when the Maple Leafs visit the Detroit Red Wings, and he takes the ice opposite his favorite player, the "Magic Man." It's the perfect setting, Joe Louis Arena, a building named after a former world heavyweight championship boxer.