He was simply passed over in the 2004 draft. Which is very surprising
I always liked the guy, I have him 97th on my list.
I like the Darcy Tucker with skill comparison. Shirkov is a thorne in the side of opponets and plays a very physical game and shows a liking to traffic and physical play, yet he's a very impressive skater and has you seen him on the penalty shot vs Montoya, he can finish and has some very impressive hands.
His defensive game is also impressive, what a play that was to read the defenders then split them and take the puck down the ice for a breakaway.
2004 draft is a trick one because two great players, Shrikov from Russia and Jordan Lavalle of the Quebec Remparts were passed up and now they look like you'll possibly need to use a first day pick to aquire them.
Shirkov was excellent at the Re-max games to from what I hear.