Kingston Frontenacs GameDay December 11, 2015

hockey is better, the scouting is better
and it’s the main route to the NHL. We
made the decision pretty quickly.”
Both Keily and McFarland are
thrilled to have Konstantin in Kingston.
His six foot five inch frame and
matching reach gives the Frontenacs’
defensive corps something they haven’t
had since Erik Gudbranson departed
for the NHL in the fall of 2011. While
this young Russian has a long way
to go to match the contributions that
Gudbranson made to the team, the
continuing improvement Chernyuk
has shown with each game is a sign of
good things to come. “A lot of times it
takes until Christmas for new players to
start to feel confident in what they can
do,” said Keily. “Konstantin is already
starting to show that confidence.”
Chernyuk admits he’s especially
looking forward to Christmas this year
not just to reach another benchmark of
performance or to celebrate the holiday
but because his parents are coming for
an extended visit. “My mom and dad
are coming in December and they’ll
stay and see a few games in the New
Year,” he said with a smile. “I really
miss my family and my friends that
I grew up with and I miss my mom’s
Russian borscht. It’s my favourite meal
that my mom would always cook for
me.”
With home cooking on the horizon
and a boundless potential, Chernyuk’s
hockey future which only last year
appeared to be south of the 49th
parallel is now shining brightly with a
decidedly Black and Gold glow. KF
OFFICIAL GAMEDAY PROGRAM, VOLUME 43, 2015