Mikhail Gulyayev selected by Colorado Avalanche under 31st pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft // ColoradoAvalanche.com
Mikhail Gulyayev is in no hurry to leave for the NHL because he wants to follow in the footsteps of Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov - to come to North America and immediately become a starter for the Colorado Avalanche, who selected him with the 31st pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
"My path to the NHL is to come and play right away," Gulyayev said in an exclusive interview with RG. "I'm following my dream and not interested in anything else. I'm not against the AHL; it's a good league, but if I go to America and play, I will only play in the NHL."
This is how Gulyayev explains his decision to sign a three-year contract with Avangard Omsk, which expires after the 2025-26 season.
"I signed this contract because I still need to improve," said the 19-year-old defenseman. "Last season was my first full season, when I played in the second and third pairs, sometimes on the power play. This gave me an understanding of what adult hockey is like. It is very different from youth hockey. Different workloads, more games, no easy opponents. For me, this is a great experience. I feel like I am improving in every game."
Gulyayev posted four goals and 12 points in 64 games for Avangard last season. He also had two goals and an assist in 12 playoff games. The defenseman said that communication with Avalanche occurs regularly, and he feels the club's attention.
"Even now, Colorado's Russian scout Andrei Plekhanov has come to the tournament at the academy," Gulyayev said. "We communicate with him, call each other. The Avalanche development coach also writes and calls, asking how things are. In general, for me, the 31st pick in the draft was a great joy. It was a small dream of my hockey career. I really like the team that chose me. Cale Makar, one of my favorite players, plays there. They need defensemen like me. Those who can attack, score, and play on the power play. This makes me happy."
Last summer, Gulyayev went to Avalanche development camp, where he met with general manager Joe Sakic.
"I had two meetings with him - there and before the draft," Gulyayev said. "When we talked before the draft, I said Makar was my favorite player. He immediately smiled, and our conversation went very well from that moment on. He said that he liked me as a hockey player. That I needed to improve, and he was waiting for me in the NHL."
Gulyayev expressed regret that he could not participate in international competitions because the IIHF banned Russian national teams from participating.
"We have a very strong generation, and I'm really upset we can't play in tournaments," Gulyayev said. "We really miss that. I want to win gold at the junior or youth world championships."
Sergey Demidov
