Ivan Khomutov

Would this guy be on the Russian U20 team if not for his broken arm?

Hmmm...probably not. He couldn't make the U18 squad last year, why would he make the U20 this year? - You gots to admit - the logic is IRON!!!!

Actually that logic is as usefull as used toilet paper. There was so much Politics involved in that situation not to mention the coach did not like Khomutov, there is a reason he left Russia to play in North America.

He was actually part of the Russia Under-18 Team so I don't know what theory you have there.

http://www.burstnet.com/cgi-bin/ads/ba8498a.cgi/RETURN-CODE/if/43/

Relationship with coaching staff of under 18 team:

http://msn.espn.go.com/nhl/draft2003/s/bios31-40.html

BTW Khomutov will be back after Christmas:
http://slam.ca/Slam031124/chl_lon2-sun.html

Allright, so you did not like my joke and took it very seriously, so please allow me to retort. Khomutov was on the '85 squad during the 2001-02 season and even skated with Ovechkin in a couple of tournaments. Then 2002-03 rolled around and he skated in the first tournament, and did not do well at all. He was also loaned to Elemash Elektrostal - where he pretty much didn't do anything. Understandibly the team wasn't very good, but he was mostly on the fourth line, if he cracked the lineup. This does not bode well for international team. Then - after Christmas, Elemash shipped him back to CSKA - where he spent the rest of the season with the club's junior team CSKA 2. There were some rumors that he would be on main team, but that never happened. So, if he remained in Russia - it would not have been with CSKA, as they didn't really want him. He also did not play in any tournaments besides the September one, being kept off the roster for the U18s. This year, even if he stayed, it is VERY unlikely he would catch on with a Super League club, and would probably play in the Upper League - which is a no no for the squad, unless you are Barulin - a starting goaltender. Coaching relations are very important, as are politics - but facts are facts - you have to be in the Super League to make the team, unless it's an extreme case.