How Blackhawks rookie Roman Kantserov is preparing for the NHL: ‘I can do this’

As a kid, Roman Kantserov remembers watching Transformers and Spider-Man movies with Russian subtitles.

As he prepares for his first season with the Blackhawks, the 21-year-old forward from Magnitogorsk, Russia, is now watching those same movies in English.

That’s one part of Kantserov’s admirable effort to fast-track his English fluency, which should not only make his adjustment to life in Chicago easier but also help him communicate on the ice with his new teammates.

He was inspired by the import players on his KHL team, which coincidentally included two former Rockford IceHogs: Luke Johnson and Robin Press.

“Talking with the boys, they say, ‘Roma, learn English. It helps you,'” Kantserov said Wednesday. “I think right now, [my] English is not bad, but I need to learn [more].'”

During entry-level contract negotiations in May, Hawks general manager Kyle Davidson was “extremely impressed” by Kantserov’s ability to talk without a translator, which assured him Kantserov wouldn’t need any “special accommodations” from a language perspective this season.

And Kantserov’s English has only improved further since then, because he has been living in the United States — training with a group of Russians and Rangers in Stamford, Connecticut — since late June.

“In one month, walking around New York and around Stamford, [when I] go to buy coffee or go to shop, of course I listen to how everyone is saying [things] in English,” he said. “I learn it.”

Kantserov hopped over to Chicago for a couple days this week for the NHL Players Association’s rookie showcase, which Hawks prospect Sacha Boisvert also attended.

The brief stop in Chicago gave him an opportunity to tour Hawks facilities and meet some staff, including skills coach Kendall Coyne Schofield and strength coach Juan Gonzalez.

Expectations are lofty for Kantserov after he led the KHL in goals last season, burying 36 in 63 games. Davidson hasn’t been shy about penciling him into a first-line winger spot next to Connor Bedard, and Bedard being sidelined for the first month of the season won’t change that.

“Right now, Connor has the injury. It’s sad news,” Kantserov said. “But Chicago signed Patrick Kane. The legend has come back. It’s awesome.

“He’s the greatest American player, all-time scorer, and this is a very good opportunity to play with him. Of course, if we play together with Bedard, maybe we can find the chemistry.”

Kantserov hasn’t yet talked to Kane, but he said he did text Bedard: “Faster recovery. We need you.”

He has spent the most time so far with Hawks goalie Spencer Knight, a Connecticut native. They haven’t been on the same training schedule aside from one camp, but they have had dinners together.

“[Spencer is] a good guy,” Kantserov said. “He helps me with talking. He says, ‘Chicago is a great city, great fans, great organization.’ And I see this right now. It’s absolutely awesome. I’m excited, waiting for the season.”

Kantserov currently has the sixth-highest odds for the Calder Trophy, per FanDuel, while Hawks rookie forward Anton Frondell is tied for fourth. Flyers forward Porter Martone, Maple Leafs forward Gavin McKenna and Sharks forward Ivar Stenberg are the three favorites.

But there’s no guarantee everything clicks right away for Kantserov. He has a strong, sturdy build, but at 5-9, he’s undeniably short by NHL standards.

And even though the KHL is still arguably the second-best league in the world, it has weakened over the past decade, so the NHL represents a large step up in competition.

“I need to improve my skills, improve my thinking,” Kantserov said. “I need to think smarter and faster, because here is [an] absolutely different level. It should be hard, but it’s not impossible. I think I can do this.”