Hockey

Ivan Demidov Set to Join Canadiens This Week In Toronto, Debut Expected vs Chicago

Published: Apr 9, 2025, 1:07 PM
1 min read
Updated: Jul 24, 2025, 11:52 AM
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Sergey Demidov
Ivan Demidov

Ivan Demidov (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

In a major shift that caps off weeks of behind-the-scenes negotiations, Ivan Demidov has officially signed his three-year entry-level contract with the Montreal Canadiens. The news, first broken by RG, confirms that the 19-year-old Russian phenom will be making his long-awaited North American transition—one that had previously seemed uncertain as recently as last month.

Montreal management had remained tight-lipped about the possibility of Demidov joining the team before season’s end, but sources close to the player confirmed that his camp worked diligently to clear all remaining hurdles. Those efforts, led in part by negotiations with SKA St. Petersburg and club manager Roman Rotenberg, allowed Demidov to terminate his KHL obligations early and pave the way for an NHL debut sooner than anticipated.

The Canadiens have now secured the services of one of the most electrifying young players in the world, and fans in Montreal will soon get a firsthand look at a player many believe can become a franchise cornerstone.

A Smooth Exit: Demidov Clears Border and Heads to Canada

Demidov’s journey to North America is already underway. According to RG sources, he crossed the Russian border without issue on Wednesday, departing Moscow and boarding a connecting flight to Istanbul. He left Russia around 5 a.m. ET, a key checkpoint that his team had been slightly anxious about, though it ultimately went off without incident.

His itinerary includes a brief stopover in Turkey, where he will finalize the paperwork required for Canadian entry. This step is standard for international athletes, but had to be expedited due to the tight timeline surrounding his arrival and expected debut.

The reason for the little delay is because, as agent Dan Milstein has informed RG, the entire process - terminating his KHL contract and signing his NHL ELC - took just three hours. Due to the rapid evolution of the situation, a work visa, which is essential for Demidov to play in the NHL, is needed before he can enter Canada.

Assuming no delays, Demidov is expected to arrive in Toronto on Friday, where he will meet up with the Canadiens. If any documents are held up or slow to process, a contingency plan is in place for him to fly directly to Montreal and join the team from there.

The Canadiens are scheduled to return home just in time for him to begin skating with the group over the weekend.

Debut Timeline: All Eyes on Monday vs. Chicago

The current target date for Demidov’s NHL debut is likely Monday night against the Chicago Blackhawks, a home game that offers an ideal launch pad for his transition to North American hockey. The timing allows him a few days to practice, get acclimated with the pace of play, and settle into the Canadiens’ systems before stepping onto the Bell Centre ice for the first time.

From a hockey standpoint, the matchup makes sense. Chicago has also been leaning on young talent, and the lower-stakes environment could allow Demidov to focus more on adapting than being the center of attention. That said, expectations will be high—both inside the building and across the fanbase.

It’s also poetic for the youngster, as Chicago passed on him to select fellow Gold Star client, Artyom Levshunov, in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Behind the scenes, there is confidence that his conditioning and game shape are exactly where they need to be. Demidov played heavy minutes this year in the KHL and is coming off a physically demanding season that many believe prepared him well for the NHL grind.

Jersey Number TBD: Humble Approach from the Star Prospect

One of the final details yet to be confirmed is what jersey number Demidov will wear when he steps onto NHL ice. The forward wore #91 during his time with SKA, but he made it clear to team staff that he doesn’t want to step on any toes in Montreal.

If #91 is available, he’ll gladly take it. If not, he’s willing to wear any available number for the rest of the season, with the option to potentially switch in the offseason. His agents and those close to the player describe him as humble and grounded—more focused on fitting in with the team than making a statement with a number on his back.

“I’ve seen a lot of reports saying Ivan will wear No. 91 this season. But that number is currently taken by another player,” said Milstein to RG. “Ivan won’t ask for it to be reassigned, so you’ll likely see him debut in the NHL under a different number.”

Given Montreal’s long and storied history, many numbers are off-limits due to retirements, which could further complicate the decision. For now, the number is secondary to what really matters: Ivan Demidov is coming to Montreal, and his era is about to begin.

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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