MONTREAL - Russian newcomer Alexei Yemelin didn't take long to make himself noticed at the Montreal Canadiens' training camp.

The defenceman dealt out several punishing checks during the first scrimmage, won by 4-3 in a shootout by the A team, which included Tomas Plekanec, Michael Cammalleri and Carey Price.

Cammelleri won the shootout by beating goalie Robert Mayer with a hard wrist shot.

Young Olivier Archambault also caught scored for the Whites while Philip DeSimone scored the only shootout goal for the Reds.

Dany Massé, Alexander Avtsin and Cammalleri scored for the A team in regulation time, while Ben Winnett scored twice and Ian Schultz also potted a goal for the B squad against French goaltender Robin Gusse.

Winnett was invited to camp and after scoring five goals in 40 games for the Michigan Wolverines last season.

But it was the physical play of Yemelin, 25, that opened eyes at the team's first scrimmage of training camp, attended by about 1,000 fans at the Bell sports complex.

It appeared to many to be anything but a casual scrimmage.

After hitting Schultz, the Russian sent Max Pacioretty flying with a hipcheck. The young American was in his first official appearance on the ice since being hit by Zdeno Chara in March.

Pacioretty took Yemelin's number and reacted aggressively later when Yelemin jostled with him in the crease.

Aaron Palushaj was also a victim of a crushing bodycheck doled out by the Russian, who also demonstrated impressive mobility.

Jarred Tinordi, the team's top draft pick in 2010, also stood out with his physical play. 

Yemelin was the talk of the dressing room after the practice.

"He nailed a player hard right at the middle of the ice at one point. We'll tell him to keep his skates on the ice when the season starts," said teammate Erik Cole.

Josh Gorges was impressed by the Togliatti native, "he plays tough and keeps it simple."

According to goalie Yann Danis, who played in the KHL in Russia last season, Yemelin was the best defenceman on Kazan's AK Bars. He's no green rookie at 25 and was even on the Russian national team.

Coach Jacques Martin also liked what he saw.

"He plays a physical style and skates well and can bring an interesting dimension to our defence," he said.

Yemelin understands English well but does not speak it. He said that he's trying to impress the brass at the start of camp.

"I've seen a few NHL games on TV and Russian players told me that there are fast players here. I was ready for it," he said through an interpreter.

He also said that he didn't come to America prior to this season simply because he had been under contract in Russia.

He said that he is enjoying Montreal and can count on teammates Andrei Markov and Belorussian Andrei Kostitsyn to help him adapt to the NHL.