By Adam Hawboldt /

A little confidence goes a long, long way.

Just ask Igor Revenko.

When the 18-year-old left his hometown of Minsk, Belarus to attend Prince Albert Raiders’ training camp this summer, he didn’t know what he was getting himself into.

Only able to speak a few words of English, and not used to playing a North American style of hockey, Revenko arrived in Hockey Town North a little unsure of himself and 
his surroundings.

“When I come here, I know nothing in English. I can just say hello and goodbye,” he said. “It was very, very hard for me.”

Needless to say, it took awhile for the boy from Belarus to adapt to his new environment.

But adapt he did.

After getting off to a less than blistering start — five points in his first 29 games —Revenko left Prince Albert during the Christmas break to play for Team Belarus in the Group A IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships in Herisau, Switzerland.

And it was there that Revekno’s game started to take a turn for the better.

Although Belarus failed to qualify for next year’s world juniors, Revenko had himself a fine tournament. Playing alongside childhood friends and former teammates, he finished second in scoring with 13 points in five games.

Which, subsequently, was the second international tournament Revenko finished as the second-leading point getter. (During the 2007-08 Under-18 World Championships in Kazan, Russia, he finished one point back of leading scorer and Brampton Battalion star Cody Hodgson.)

History and trivial tidbits aside, when Revenko returned to the Raiders from Switzerland he looked like a completely different hockey player.

“For some Euros, it takes a short while to adapt,” said Raiders coach and GM Bruno Campese. “For other guys it takes up to the Christmas break.”

And Campese is right.

Since December 27, Revenko has averaged more than a point per game (four goals, 10 assists in 11 contests) and is plus-9 during that same stretch.

According to Revenko, his newfound success boils down to a couple of key factors.

First, he’s getting more ice time and has earned a spot on the Raiders’ first power play unit.

“Bruno gave me an opportunity,” said Revenko about his increased playing time. “Now I’m playing with very good players like (Justin) Bernhardt and other guys. That helps.”

So too does Revenko’s newfound sense of confidence.

“Now, I feel more comfortable,” he said. “I believe in myself more than before.”

And in the end, as a young Euro trying to make a name for himself in the Western Hockey League, that’s what 
really counts.

RAIDER REVIEW:
Revenko leads the Raiders this season with a plus-11 plus/minus rating … The Raiders recently sewed and ‘A’ on 20-year-old Justin Bernhardt’s sweater. In his first 50 games this season, the slick forward from Yorkton, Sask., has 70 points to go along with 67 penalty minutes … Since being traded to Prince Albert from Kamloops, defenceman Jordan Rowley has amassed 17 points in 19 games.