LAS VEGAS | When you think of Vegas, you obviously think of Celine Dion. Introduced as the Canadiens’ “number one fan” by Kent Hughes, the diva is the one who announced Ivan Demidov’s selection.
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With the prospect pool overflowing with defensemen in his organization, it made sense for the Canadiens’ general manager to set his sights on a forward. A 6-foot-1/2, 192-pound left-handed right winger, the Russian has collected 60 points, including 23 goals, in 30 games with SKA-1946 St. Petersburg of the MHL (Russia’s junior league).
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“It’s an incredible moment,” said Demidov, in front of a dozen Montreal journalists. It’s like a book, a film. I don’t realize it’s real. It’s cool.”
At one point, we wondered if Demidov was more excited by the fact of having been drafted by the Canadian or by the fact of having met Celine Dion.
“I know who Celine is. I looked at the Titanic” he said with all the candor of his 18 years.
Demidov is said to be possibly the most dynamic and creative player in this auction.
“I can play without the puck. In the offensive zone, it’s a quality. I can read the game, he said. In return, I have to be more explosive, a little stronger.
Under Bobrov’s eye
The fact that he plays in Russia and that it was more difficult to see him in action during the last season possibly caused him to slip to the Tricolore.
“Everybody thinks differently. It’s harder when you can’t send your whole organization to see a player in person. It changes things a little bit,” Jeff Gorton said Thursday when asked about Demidov. “During COVID, things changed and we adjusted how we look at players and we’re good at it. We have a good feeling about what’s going on in Russia and we know people there.”
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Among these people, there is, among others, Nick Bobrov. Director of amateur recruitment for the Canadian, Bobrov is originally from Saint Petersburg.
“Nick came to meet me in Russia,” confirmed the young Demidov.
The Tricolore staff therefore chose to trust a product of Russia after having ignored Matvei Mitchkov last year.
“They are two different players. We are trying to find the best player possible and that is what we are going to do, indicated the executive vice-president of hockey operations. The situations of these two players are not linked and it will not change much in our decision.
Another year in Russia
The cases of Mitchkov and Demidov are indeed very different. However, we will not see Demidov in the Canadian organization next season. He has one season remaining on his contract with SKA.
That said, he is already dreaming of the day he will join the Montreal team.
“Montreal is one of the youngest teams. There are opportunities to improve and progress. I like that,” he said.
Demidov has never set foot in the Quebec metropolis, but he knows its reputation. The passion of the supporters and the pressure that it can bring do not scare him in the least.
“The fans love hockey a lot. I love hockey too. So it won’t be a problem for me.”
If he’s as talented as they say, he’ll quickly become a crowd favorite.
Watch Renaud Lavoie’s interview with Demidov while he wears the CH jersey in the video below.
