(Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Ivan Demidov scores first goal, assist in NHL debut
  • Montreal Canadiens drafted Demidov 5th overall in 2024
  • Read below for more on Demidov’s impressive debut

It didn’t take long for Montreal Canadiens winger Ivan Demidov to make his mark in his NHL debut.

The 19-year-old winger got on the scoresheet just minutes into his debut in Montreal. He recorded an assist on a gorgeous pass to Alex Newhook to open the scoring against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Demidov’s debut in North America has been a highly anticipated one, and the Montreal crowd at the Bell Centre welcomed him with a loud ovation following the assist.

It was just the third shift of Demidov’s career, and he had already gotten on the scoresheet. But he wasn’t done.

Two shifts later, Demidov scored a goal of his own for his first in the NHL.

He was first to the puck on a dump-in and made a nice move to the backhand to beat Blackhawks goalie Arvid Soderblom.

Just like that, Demidov had a goal and an assist just 13:32 into his first NHL game.

Demidov wasn’t expected to come over to North America for the Montreal Canadiens this season. However, SKA St. Petersburg allowed him to join the Canadiens early with the caveat that he would return to his KHL team if he didn’t gain a foothold in the NHL.

Demidov put up impressive numbers in the KHL that hadn’t been seen in quite some time from someone his age. He had 19 goals and 30 assists for 49 points in 65 games, along with five points in six playoff games for SKA.

He’s now joined the Canadiens with Montreal on the cusp of its first playoff appearance since losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2021 Stanley Cup Final.

The Canadiens already had a ton of young talent with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky taking big steps this season. Of course, defenseman Lane Hutson is running away with the Calder Trophy in his rookie season as well.

Demidov just adds another weapon for a Habs squad that could be dangerous for years to come.