The Montreal Canadiens' fanbase has a new reason to be excited as rookie forward Ivan Demidov is quickly making his mark in the NHL. Selected fifth overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, the 19-year-old Russian right winger is exceeding expectations with his early performances.
Demidov's journey to the NHL began in Sergiyev Posad, Russia, where he honed his skills in various youth leagues. His talent became evident during his time with SKA-1946 St. Petersburg in the Junior Hockey League (MHL), where he showcased his offensive prowess. Despite limited playing time with SKA Saint Petersburg to start the 2024-25 KHL season, Demidov still managed to score eight points in ten games, earning him KHL All-Rookie Team honors and Rookie of the Month awards. He further solidified his reputation by winning the Alexei Cherepanov Award as the KHL's rookie of the year in May 2025.
Demidov signed his entry-level contract with the Canadiens on April 8, 2025. He made an immediate impact in his NHL debut, registering a goal and an assist. He became the second-youngest Canadiens skater and third teenager to score in their NHL debut, joining Mark Hunter and Bernie Geoffrion. Demidov also became the second franchise player with a multi-point inaugural game prior to age 20, following Petr Svoboda in 1984–85.
In a recent game against the Vancouver Canucks, Demidov led the Canadiens to a 4-3 comeback victory. He scored the game-winning goal and assisted on two power-play markers, earning him widespread praise. This performance made him the first Montreal rookie to score nine points in his first ten games since Stephan Lebeau in 1989-90.
Through 11 games, Demidov has tallied 2 goals and 6 assists for 8 points. His hockey sense and puck-handling skills have been evident. Demidov's playmaking abilities and offensive instincts make him a threat on the ice. He has a knack for creating scoring chances and making smart plays under pressure.
While it is still early in his NHL career, Ivan Demidov is showing all the signs of becoming a star player for the Montreal Canadiens. His skill set, combined with his determination and work ethic, position him as a key piece of the Canadiens' future. As he continues to develop and gain experience, Canadiens fans have every reason to believe that Demidov will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.
