Ty Conklin #29 of the St. Louis Blues stops the puck on a shot by Andrei Markov #79 of the Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)
Andrei Markov knows what it means to be a Montreal Canadiens player. During his 16-year NHL career, the former defenseman played 990 games for the Canadiens, including the NHL All-Star Games in 2008 and 2009. He understands what it will be like for Ivan Demidov, the Canadiens' fifth overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, in Montreal.
"Compared to my time, hockey has become different, the atmosphere around hockey has changed, so now young players are actively discussed in the press from a very early age," Markov told RG exclusively.
"So it's not surprising that there is already so much interest in Demidov. I'm very happy a young Russian guy got into a team with such a history. He will get a chance there and definitely enjoy what will happen to him. But at the same time, there will be much pressure on him, which I hope he can handle. If he can handle it, he will remember this experience for the rest of his life."
Markov came to the NHL in 2000 and played only for the Canadiens. He knows exactly what Demidov needs to do to win the fans' love.
"If he knows French, they will worship him there," Markov smiled. "But first of all, he needs to do his job. And he needs to understand that. He has a lot, a lot of work ahead of him. If he does it, then he will succeed. And now, he needs to strengthen himself in adult hockey because the youth league is very different from the KHL, and the KHL is very different from the NHL. They expect many goals and many points from him. Everything is in his hands."
Markov could not name the most vivid memory of his career in Montreal because "there were too many of them."
"The whole period with the Canadiens was a great happiness for me," Markov said. "I am lucky to have spent my entire career with one team. I still go there, and people still recognize me, say hello, and take pictures. It's nice. Montreal has always been a big hockey city. The last time I went there was last year, I still have many friends there."
In 2021, the Canadiens reached the Stanley Cup Final, where they lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning. But then the team missed the playoffs three times in a row, which hadn't happened since 2001.
"They have a pretty good team now that has a chance to make the playoffs, although it will be tough," Markov said. "Of course, the fans miss the playoffs. Everyone wants it. Like any Montreal fan, I would love it."
Markov had two short coaching experiences in Russia - at Vityaz and Spartak. He would like to try full-time coaching, but his family factor is getting in the way.
"I have five children to whom I pay much attention," Markov said. "The eldest is already an adult, and the youngest, five, has already started skating. I enjoy it. But every professional athlete knows what you must go through to succeed. It is very difficult. The main thing is that the child has the desire."
Sergey Demidov
