Pushkarev to Make His ‘Homecoming’

Konstantin Pushkarev is back in this city, which is light-years from Ust-Kamenogorsk in eastern Kazakhstan, where he was raised.

Pushkarev, who made his NHL debut with the Kings on Monday against the Vancouver Canucks, got his first taste of North American hockey here. He played last season for the Calgary Hitmen, a junior team in the Western Hockey League.

“I learned a lot in Calgary last year,” said Pushkarev, 21, a second-round pick by the Kings in 2003. “It is a much more physical game over here. I learned how to play that way.”

Pushkarev is the ninth player to make his NHL debut with the Kings this season and prepped for his return to Calgary with an assist against the Canucks. He burst down the left boards and fired a perfect centering pass to Mark Parrish, who redirected the puck into the net.

Pushkarev grew up with the sport in Ust-Kamenogorsk -- “the hockey capital of all Kazakhstan,” he said. The city also produced San Jose Shark goaltender Evgeni Nabokov.

Pushkarev though, found it difficult to advance, at least in that part of the hockey world last season. He had signed a contract with Avangard Omsk of the Russian Super League, but the deal fell through when the NHL lockout hit.

“They were able to sign NHL players, so they said I wasn’t needed anymore,” Pushkarev said. “My agent said, ‘Why don’t you go to Canada and play juniors? Then you can join the Kings.’ ”

Pushkarev had 22 goals and 52 points in 69 games with Calgary. He was signed last summer by the Kings and had a team-high 18 goals before he was recalled Sunday from Manchester of the American Hockey League.

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With the Kings in danger of slipping further from a playoff spot, injured forwards Jeremy Roenick and Jeff Cowan flew to Calgary on Tuesday. Both could play tonight, depending on how they feel at the morning skate.

Roenick suffered a chip fracture in his right ankle, which takes four to six weeks to heal, but he skated Tuesday and could play if the pain allows. Cowan has been working out after sitting out the last five games because of a back injury.

TONIGHT

at Calgary, 6:30 PST, FSNW

Site -- Pengrowth Saddledome.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- Kings 38-29-5, Flames 39-24-8.

Record vs. Flames -- 1-1-0.

Update -- Derek Armstrong (back injury) and Tim Gleason (knee injury) sat out Monday’s game against Vancouver and are questionable for tonight. The Flames’ Marcus Nilsson has an injured left knee and is questionable. Darren McCarty is day to day because of back and groin injuries. Mike Leclerc is out because of a broken wrist.