Career
He is the father of New York Islanders prospect Vladimir Nikiforov. Aleksey currently coaches the North American Palladium Ltd Junior. Islanders 16u American Automobile Association team
He previously coached the New York Junior Bobcats of the Atlantic Junior Hockey League where he boasted great placement for many of his students greatly.
He is credited with teaching many Long Island hockey products the game. He teaches a European style of hockey, as opposed to the North American style.
This European style focuses on skating speed, puck possession, and puck movement, while the North American style focuses more on bodychecking and overall physical domination. The translation of this style is very apparent in his American-born students such as Christopher Higgins of the Vancouver Canucks, Matt Gilroy and New Jersey Devils 2006 National Hockey League Draft pick Tony Romano.
Darius Kasparaitis
Dainius Zubrus
Alexei Yashin
Michael Komisarek
Christopher Higgins
Bryan McCabe
Vladimir Malakhov
Alexei Kovalev
Rob Scuderi
Eric Nystrom
Ryan Vesce
Matt Gilroy
Tony Romano
Tim Kunes
James Marcou
Patrick McNally.