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Ivan Demidov
Russian ice hockey player (born 2005) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Ivan Alexeyevich Demidov (Russian: Иван Алексеевич Демидов; born 10 December 2005) is a Russian professional ice hockey right winger for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, fifth overall, by the Canadiens in the 2024 NHL entry draft.
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Playing career
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Russia
Born in Sergiyev Posad on 10 December 2005, Demidov began training at a young age, particularly with the DYUSSH Dmitrov youth team. His talent and commitment to the sport were demonstrated in his early performances across a variety of youth leagues and competitions, including the WSI U13 and U14 ranks. Demidov made waves with the Vityaz U16 team by the 2020–21 season, scoring 28 points in 11 games.[1]
During the course of the 2022–23 Junior Hockey League (MHL) season, he played for SKA-1946 St. Petersburg alongside his older brother, Semyon, where they finished as the top two scorers of the team.[1] The younger Demidov scored over 1.4 points per game (PPG), leading all skaters.[2] He made his Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) debut with SKA Saint Petersburg at the age of 16 in November 2022, and also partook in the KHL All-Star Game the following month.[3]
Over the course of the 2023–24 season, Demidov faced many setbacks, enduring three separate injuries which resulted in him missing half of the regular season. Nonetheless, he went on to lead his team to victory in the ensuing Kharlamov Cup and was named MVP for the second consecutive year, registering 60 points in only 30 games for an impressive 2.0 PPG pace.[1]
The presumptive second overall pick entering the 2024 NHL entry draft due to his passing and goal-scoring abilities according to scouts,[4] hockey insider Bob McKenzie speculated Demidov might fall on draft day as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[5] He was ultimately selected fifth overall by the Montreal Canadiens, which was announced by prominent Canadian singer Celine Dion.[6][7]
Despite limited playing time with SKA Saint Petersburg to begin the 2024–25 KHL season, Demidov was solid offensively, registering eight points (four goals and four assists) in the team's first ten games. For his efforts, he was named to the KHL All-Rookie Team[8] as well as earning Rookie of the Month honors for September 2024.[9] In December 2024, Demidov was recognized as KHL Rookie of the Month for the second time.[10] Following the departure of SKA Saint Petersburg teammate Tony DeAngelo in mid-January 2025, Demidov was selected as his replacement as part of the annual league All-Star Game.[11] On 28 January, he recorded his first professional hat-trick in a 4–1 win versus divisional rival, HC Vityaz.[12] Days later, Demidov was revealed as Rookie of the Month honoree for the second consecutive month; his third time cumulatively over the course of the 2024–25 KHL campaign.[13] On 4 February 2025, he would surpass fellow countryman Kirill Kaprizov for the most single season points registered by an under-20 player in league history with 43.[14][15] Demidov would finish the regular season with 49 points (19 goals, 30 assists) in 65 games played.[16]
Facing off against Dynamo Moscow in that year's Gagarin Cup playoffs, SKA Saint Petersburg would ultimately be ousted in six games.[17] For his part, Demidov registered two goals and three assists in the series, and was subsequently named the best rookie of the first round by league officials.[18] In May 2025, he received the Alexei Cherepanov Award, given to the KHL's rookie of the year.[19]
North America
Following the end of his respective KHL season, Demidov had his contract with SKA Saint Petersburg terminated on 8 April 2025.[20] The same day, he agreed to a three-year, entry-level deal with the Montreal Canadiens and joined the team for the remainder of the 2024–25 season.[21][22]
On 14 April, Demidov made his National Hockey League (NHL) debut against the Chicago Blackhawks at Bell Centre, slotting onto Montreal's third line alongside Alex Newhook and Joel Armia.[23] Registering a goal and assist in the first period, he became the second-youngest Canadiens skater and third teenager to score in their NHL debut (joining Mark Hunter and Bernie Geoffrion), while also becoming the second franchise player with a multi-point inaugural game prior to age 20, following Petr Svoboda in 1984–85.[24] Thereafter, Demidov registered two assists in game 4 of the team's first round Stanley Cup playoffs series against the Washington Capitals, surpassing Henri Richard as the youngest player in franchise history to register a multi-point effort over the course of their inaugural NHL postseason appearance.[25][26]
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International play
Internationally, Demidov won gold with Russia under-18 team at the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, recording five points in five games.[27] He also earned a bronze medal shortly thereafter at the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF).[28]
In late 2024, Demidov was chosen to the Russia senior team for the annual Channel One Cup.[29] Registering five points across two games played, he was named the tournament's MVP as its top scorer.[30]
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Career statistics
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International
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