Hockey

“Ivan Has Grown Fond Of Montreal”: Demidov Stays All Summer To Train, Learn, And Fully Integrate

Published: May 25, 2025, 12:00 PM
1 min read
Updated: Jul 24, 2025, 11:09 AM
Fact checked by:
Sergey Demidov
Ivan Demidov #93 of the Montreal Canadiens

Ivan Demidov #93 of the Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

For Ivan Demidov, the offseason isn’t about rest—it’s about readiness. After an impressive debut in North America, the highly-touted Russian forward is planting roots in Montreal this summer with a clear goal in mind: elevate every part of his game, on and off the ice.

Demidov took just a brief seven-day break following the Canadiens’ final game before getting back to work. On May 16, he officially resumed training, diving into a summer program that’s anything but casual.

“Ivan has already grown fond of Montreal and wants to get to know the city, its culture, and its people better, which is why he chose to spend the summer here,” a source close to Demidov shared with RG.

But this isn’t just about sightseeing. Staying in Montreal gives Demidov the opportunity to train intensively under the watchful eye of the Canadiens’ development staff. After a season of adapting to the faster pace of the NHL, he’s now focused on building the strength, endurance, and situational awareness required to thrive at the highest level. It’s a crucial period for a player projected to be a key piece of the Canadiens’ future.

What’s just as important to Demidov as his physical preparation is his integration off the ice. The 18-year-old isn’t simply trying to fit in—he wants to belong. That’s why his summer plans include a dedicated push to improve both his English and French.

“He will also focus more seriously on studying not just English but French as well,” the source confirmed to RG.

It’s a mature decision for a teenager who could have easily spent the offseason in a more familiar environment. Instead, Demidov is embracing the challenge of learning two new languages while immersing himself in Quebec’s unique culture. That effort hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans or the organization—especially in a bilingual market where communication matters just as much as production.

Even with his busy schedule in Montreal, Demidov remains in the spotlight back home. He’s one of three finalists for the KHL Rookie of the Year award, a recognition of his stellar play with SKA St. Petersburg before joining the Canadiens. He shares the honor with Yegor Surin, a forward selected 22nd overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2024 NHL Draft, and goaltender Semyon Vyazovoi, a Seattle Kraken draft pick who opted to sign a two-year extension with Salavat Yulaev rather than make the jump to the NHL.

The winner of the prestigious award will be announced on May 29 during a ceremony in Moscow. However, Demidov has already confirmed he will not attend. That decision, like the rest of his summer plans, underscores where his priorities lie.

While many young stars might seize the opportunity for a high-profile homecoming, Demidov is laser-focused on his future in Montreal. Skipping the trip to Russia means no distractions—just consistent training, ongoing language lessons, and time to absorb everything his new home has to offer.

It’s a move that speaks volumes about Demidov’s commitment. Talent has never been in question for the dynamic winger, but this summer, he’s showing the discipline and maturity that turn potential into performance.

Whether he’s working with coaches at the Bell Sports Complex, ordering coffee in French, or soaking in the rhythm of a city that lives and breathes hockey, Ivan Demidov is doing everything possible to make sure he’s ready—not just for October, but for a long, impactful career in Montreal.

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Senior News Editor
Marco D’Amico is an accredited hockey reporter covering the Montreal Canadiens, with a strong focus on NHL prospects, the NHL Draft, and player development. His work has appeared on TSN, RDS, CBC, and more, and he’s interviewed top talents like Lane Hutson, Shane Wright, Ivan Demidov, Logan Cooley, and Nathan MacKinnon.
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Content Marketing

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Daria Tuboltseva
Daria Tuboltseva
Hockey Reporter

Daria Tuboltseva has worked as a sports journalist since 2014 and has specialized in hockey coverage since 2016. She’s reported from some of the world’s biggest sporting events, including the Olympic Games (Beijing 2022), the FIFA World Cup (2018), the IIHF World Championships (2016–2019, 2021), the IIHF World Junior Championship (2019), and every Gagarin Cup Final since 2017.

Her work has appeared in leading Russian sports outlets like Championat.com and Sport24, as well as on the official websites of the KHL and the Women’s Hockey League (WHL). Daria has conducted exclusive interviews with some of the sport’s most recognized names, including Alex Ovechkin, Jaromir Jagr, Kirill Kaprizov, Sergei Bobrovsky, and Igor Shesterkin.

Beyond her writing, Daria brings extensive on-camera experience. She hosted NHL Today on Yandex.Efir and has produced powerful long-form projects such as the documentary Lokomotiv Crash and the series Hockey Country, featuring stars like Ovechkin, Malkin, Bobrovsky, Vasilevskiy, and Panarin. Her work has taken her to NHL games across North America and international events like the NHL Global Series in Europe.

In addition to her media career, Daria is a certified integrative nutritionist with a focus on sports nutrition. She works one-on-one with KHL players, helping them optimize performance and recovery through tailored nutrition plans. Her ability to blend media expertise with athlete support gives her a unique presence in the professional hockey world.

Daria publishes in both English and Russian and is the creator of the Telegram channel Coolest Game on Earth, where she shares insights, interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories from the hockey world.

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