Editing Nikolai Zherdev (section)

===Early career===
Born in [[Kyiv]], [[Ukraine]], Zherdev began playing hockey at the age of four.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120526092635/http://www.russianprospects.com/public/article.php?article_id=118 Russian prospects]</ref> He began his training with the [[Sokil Kyiv]] junior hockey affiliate. Due to complications with organizing a team for his age group, he was pushed to play a year ahead with the 1983 born players; a group which included fellow future Ukrainian NHLer [[Anton Babchuk]].{{citation needed|date=February 2019}} Zherdev played in the 1998 [[Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament]] with his youth team from Kyiv.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf|title=Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA|year=2018|website=Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament|access-date=2019-02-12}}</ref> While playing in the tournament, Zherdev's team found itself competing against a team from [[Elektrostal|Elektrostal, Russia]]. The rival team's coach, [[Ravil Iskhakov]], took note of both Zherdev and Babchuk, and invited the pair to further their development with the [[Kristall Elektrostal|Elemash Elektrostal]] hockey club of the [[Russian Major League]], to which they accepted together.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.russianprospects.com/public/article.php?article_id=117 |title=Russian Hockey NHL Prospects &#124; Nikolai Zherdev: To CSKA fans – Thank You for your support! (January 12th, 2003) (RussianProspects.com - Best Source for Russian Hockey News and Features of NHL players and prospects) |access-date=2009-05-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018212005/http://www.russianprospects.com/public/article.php?article_id=117 |archive-date=2007-10-18 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The desire to play at a higher level came at a price: his nationality. In order to play in Russia, he would be forced to apply for Russian citizenship.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hcsokol.kiev.ua/article_3473.html |title=ХК Сокол |access-date=2009-10-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091012182556/http://hcsokol.kiev.ua/article_3473.html |archive-date=2009-10-12|df=mdy-all}}</ref>