By: 369 Sports & Entertainment 

For Ruslanbek Karim, the path has never been about comfort; it has always been about progression.

At 18 years old, the 6’4″ forward has already made the decision many players hesitate to take on: leaving home early to pursue a bigger stage. Moving from Kazakhstan to the United States, Karim stepped into a faster, more physical game and into an environment built for development. His approach is simple: play direct, play for results, and keep moving forward.

“My style of play is focused on the net and results,” he says. “I always play with the thought of scoring and bringing maximum benefit to the team.”

Even though this mindset seems strong and well developed for such a young man, it did not happen overnight for Ruslanbek.

Like many players from the region, Karim’s early development came during a time when hockey in Kazakhstan was still growing.

“Hockey in Kazakhstan is developing actively now, but when I started, it was one of the early stages of youth hockey,” he explains. “Even then, we played in international tournaments, competed in Russian championships, and showed good results.”

A key part of that development came through the Barys Astana system, which is one of the most respected hockey programs in the country.

“Playing in the Barys system is prestigious for any player,” Karim says. “It is one of the main hockey brands in Kazakhstan, so it is always a big honor and responsibility.”

His mindset was shaped not only by training or the Barys program, but by inspiration as well. For Ruslanbek, a movie about Valeri Kharlamov became an example and showed what a real hockey player should be like.

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Like a lot of young players who show results, Karim’s path has not been built on certainty but more on being persistent. A clearly set goal in one’s mindset is more important than what is actually happening in reality. Of course, Ruslanbek as any of us has doubts about the future, which is normal for such a young age. “But in my soul, I am already playing in the NHL,” he admits.

That balance between realism and ambition defines his mentality.

“I train six days a week, sometimes twice a day,” he says. “The most important things in hockey are persistence, belief in yourself, and willpower.”

The mentality of being consistent is probably the only thing that remains the same for hockey all over the world. That mentality was brought in by Karim when he made the decision about the move to North America. However, the relocation to the United States was not just about hockey, it was a calculated step toward Ruslanbek’s long-term development.

“I decided to combine education and hockey,” he explains. “It’s an opportunity to study, get a scholarship, and at the same time learn the American hockey system while continuing to develop my career.”

The transition, while significant, came with some advantages.

“My adaptation went quite smoothly,” he says. “Some players from my Barys school were studying and playing with me on the same team, so it was easier to adjust.”

Though Karim still had to face the language barrier, it was not as hard for him to perform well on the ice, despite the immediate differences.

“Hockey here is more physical. In Kazakhstan, the game is more based on speed,” Ruslanbek admits. But with greater resources and opportunity, the environment pushed him forward.

“The main difference is the approach of the coaches and the opportunities,” Karim adds. “There are many more here, and you can always find extra ice for training.”

Unfortunately, the language barrier was not the only struggle Karim faced. Despite his focus and independence, the emotional side of the journey remains real.

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“Of course, I miss home,” Karim says. “Especially closer to the end of the season, that’s when I really want to go back to Kazakhstan.”

Staying connected to family has become a part of his routine, same as for any international player.

“With my mom, we usually talk in the morning and in the evening. It’s our ritual, it helps her feel calm,” he shares. “With my dad, we also talk often, but usually about important decisions or even football, since we are both fans. And with my brother, we text almost every day.”

Living far from home is something he has learned to handle.

“It’s not very difficult for me because since childhood we were often traveling for competitions and camps,” he explains. “But sometimes I really miss Kazakh food and, of course, my mom’s cooking.”

The support of Karim’s family matters the most when he is on the ice. It helps Ruslanbek play with a clear purpose. Beyond physical tools, though, he values intelligence.

“What I value most in my game is hockey IQ and the ability to read the game. It helps me make the right decisions on the ice.”

Like any developing player, he knows where he needs to improve. Currently, Karim’s main goal is to improve his endurance in order to play consistently and effectively throughout the entire game.

“I am motivated by my love for hockey and a strong desire to achieve my goals. I want to get better every day,” the forward shares.

Besides Karim’s family, another element supporting him both on and off the ice is 369 Sports & Entertainment. He first connected with Robert Mazin, the CEO of the agency, during the pandemic.

“I met Robert through a post on Instagram,” Karim says. “Since then, we’ve been in constant contact, and now we work together in the United States. He is my sports agent.”

That relationship has played a key role in his development abroad.

“Robert is a very strong motivator and understands the psychology of young players very well,” he explains. “He helps build a career step by step in the right way.”

But the impact extends beyond just the player.

“It’s also a big support for parents,” Karim adds. “He has a strong team that helps both players and their families 24/7.”

Being far from home makes that support even more important.

“Here in the U.S., this kind of support is especially important,” he says. “I know that at any moment, the 369 team can help solve any issue, be it legal, medical, or the documents. For any player going abroad, having a team like that is a huge advantage.”

Despite just being 18 years old, Karim’s vision for the future is clear and structured. He admits that his next goal is get to the NCAA and establish himself at that level. Beyond that, his focus remains on constant progression. And for young players back home, he offers a direct message:

“I believe it’s important to leave as early as possible and not delay it. The earlier you start, the more opportunities you have to grow and develop.”

From a six-year-old pushed onto the ice by his father, to a driven forward building his career in North America, Ruslanbek Karim’s journey is defined by discipline, sacrifice and ambition.