There is no prospect Montreal Canadiens fans are more excited about than Ivan Demidov.
Selected fifth overall at the 2024 Draft, the Russian forward has been crushing it as a rookie in the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg. Netting 20 points through 33 games this season, the winger, who turned 19 this week, was recently called up to the Russian National team for the Channel One Cup.
But while his overseas accomplishments look impressive on paper, Demidov has faced challenges with inconsistent ice time under SKA head coach Roman Rotenberg. As a result, the Canadiens’ management has been keeping a close eye on the young forward as he plays out the final year of his KHL contract.
In a new interview with RG.org, Demidov revealed that he has weekly chats with Habs management.
“We keep in touch with Montreal. I get messages from team representatives after games,” said Demidov. “It’s not after every game I play, but quite often; maybe once every week or two. We discuss various things.”
Montreal’s concerns about his development led Canadiens VP of Hockey Operations Jeff Gorton — who had expressed frustration over Demidov’s limited ice time — and Co-Director of Scouting Nikolai Bobrov to visit him in Saint Petersburg this fall.
“At the end of October, representatives from the Canadiens came to St. Petersburg. We met and discussed my game,” he explained.
While Canadiens fans can expect him to come over to North America in time for the 2025-26 season, many have already taken the chance to welcome the prospect to hockey’s most historic franchise.
“Fans do write to me on social media, but they’re rarely from Russia — mostly from Montreal,” Demidov admitted. “Many people write to me, saying they’re waiting for me and are happy that I was chosen in the draft by the Canadiens.”