Ivan Demidov is one of the biggest hopes of Russian hockey. Experts often call him the second Matvey Michkov. But that’s only because Ivan is a year younger than Matvey. He turned 17 in December.
And if Michkov is predicted the first numbers in the NHL Draft in 2023, then Demidov will compete for the leading position in a year – in the 2024 draft. Which of them is the coolest – the guys themselves will decide more late. Meanwhile, experts consider Demidov a more versatile player than Michkov. Ivan can play both on the flank and in the middle, brandishing everything from a one-on-one shot to a wrist throw and a checked pass.
Kucherov’s record did not stand
In November 2022, Demidov, then 16, celebrated his KHL debut by stepping onto the ice with SKA. In the first game against Sochi, he was simply allowed to look around – the striker spent only six shifts. But in the next game with Amur, Ivan took to the ice 18 times, having received nearly 12 minutes of playing time and scoring himself with shots on target. In fact, he’s had a game in his own right against a team that’s been fighting for a playoff berth and are ready to gnaw points with their teeth.
Of course, while Demidov mainly plays in the MHL. However, there he immediately took the lead. Now Ivan is one of the top three scorers and is also the best assist in the league. In addition, the attacker wins decently in principled fights. For example, in the recent derby “SKA-1946” with “Dynamo”, St. Petersburg, Demidov got 4 (1 + 3) points.
During this season, Ivan improved the result of Nikita Kucherov himself for players under 17 who played in the JHL. Because of the current leader of Tampa at that age, there were 54 (29 + 25) points in the MHL. Ivan improved his feat by one point – 55 (22+33). Only the super-leader Michkov is in front – 84 (55+29) points.
Even more interesting is that in “SKA-1946” Ivan plays with his older brother Semyon, who is 20 years old. The guys started playing hockey together in Dmitrov. Then they simultaneously moved to Vityaz, and now they are in the SKA system. By the way, Semyon is also a talented and prominent MHL player. He is the second top scorer in the league with 24 goals in 26 games! Along the way, he manages to play in the VHL for SKA-Neva. Semyon scored a lot of his NHL goals after passes from Ivan. The brothers feel good in a threesome. Who knows, maybe it’s the future Grays or Golikov?
“My brother teases me, but without anger”
– How come you play hockey on the same team as your brother? Have you followed in his footsteps?
“Yes, it is,” says Ivan. “I just had no choice. My brother plays hockey, the arena is near the house. So that’s how it all happened.
– Do you and Semyon have a rivalry? Maybe you are arguing at home – who will score more points in a season or score goals?
“No, there is nothing like that. Maybe joking… For example, in the match against Almaz, my brother scored five points and I had four. And then he accompanied me, teasing me. But all this without anger, with love.
– Imagine being on the same team in the NHL Draft and playing together for Vancouver like the Sedina brothers.
– That would be very nice. Being in the NHL, too – with his brother. Something incredibly simple.
“I’m Michkov and all the guys who really dominate”
– There are a lot of talented guys in the SKA system. Now Michkov is fixed in the KHL. Look how Matvey rides? And in general, do you take something away from him from the on-ice equipment?
– Sure. I generally look for all the guys who are really dominant. I try to adopt something from their arsenal and then I try something in training, if they are good in the game. Matthieu is no exception.
– Where are you going with the guys from SKA-1946?
– Sometimes we go to the bath together. With the same Matvey we will sit there, we will talk. We talk about hockey and other things. But the bath is only on weekends. And so we spend more time together in the throwing area.
– We know you’re a fan of training. Do you only think about hockey or is there another life than sport?
“Probably the first. At the beginning of this season, I read famous basketball player Kobe Bryant’s book, watched many other videos about him and somehow got inspired. I really liked his approach to life and sport, his mentality. It’s expensive. I take an example from him.
– How did you react to the return to hockey of Ivan Miroshnichenko, who overcame a dangerous disease? In the MHL, he immediately started scoring, then made his KHL debut.
“It’s a big event for all of our hockey. And in general for all hockey in the world. I am very happy that Vanya came back and overcame this disease. We all prayed for him, held our fists for him to recover.
“Rothenberg praises and advises to rise to power”
— What do you need to gain a foothold in the KHL, to become a real member of the team?
– Add everything, everything should be done faster. Also, get stronger. I think in another year and everything will be fine, I will be ready to play at this level.
— Trembling before the debut in the KHL?
– Of course, he was shaking. I think anyone will be nervous when called up for the KHL game at age 16. But after the first shift I felt good and kept playing.
— What did SKA head coach Roman Rotenberg tell you?
– Advised to stop more. After the game, he gave praise, said: “Well done, he joined the game well.” But he noted that I needed to work on power and physical strength.
– At the age of 16, you managed to get to the KHL All-Star Game in Chelyabinsk. How important is this event to you?
– It was a pleasure. After all, the All-Star Game was also on my birthday. It’s just a sea of emotions!
“Before the season, I set myself a goal – to become the best in the MHL”
– You were also called up for the youth team tournament, but there you were a bit unlucky, did you get injured?
— Yes, I have a bruised thigh muscle. I was played with a knee in my thigh, because of that it was not possible to end the tournament on a high note.
Was everything so difficult there?
– Sure! Any national team tournament is a great rivalry.
– Young hockey talents never have it easy. Everyone tries to outdo them in one way or another. And if that fails on points, they can hit hard. Have you ever felt it?
So far I haven’t noticed anything. Maybe there is somewhere. But personally, I do not see such an attitude towards myself.
Do you follow the players of your generation who will become your competitors in the 2024 NHL Draft? Whereas now our team cannot play with them. Let’s say Michkov is vying with Bedard for the first pick in the draft. And who are you with, who would you choose?
— I watched the World Challenge Cup for players under 17. There was an American – Yzerman. I probably just saw it. And that, only in this tournament. Didn’t follow anyone else. There is no such need now.
– Were you surprised that at 17, or rather even at 16, you immediately became one of the best scorers in the MHL?
“To be honest, I wasn’t surprised. Because before the start of the season, it is precisely such a task that I have set myself.
– At 16, be the top scorer in the MHL?
– Yes why not? It is as it should be.
Watch live broadcasts of the Fonbet Championship of the Continental Hockey League and OLIMPBET of the Youth Hockey League Championship on the federal channel and thematic channels of the holding, as well as on the matchtv websites. ru and sportbox.ru.
Source : MatchTV
I’m Emma Smith, a dedicated journalist and avid storyteller. I have been writing for news websites for the past 5 years, reporting on hockey news and delivering in-depth analysis of the sport. In my current role as Author at Athletistic, I write about hockey events from around the world to keep followers up-to-date with what’s happening in the sport.
