Egor Surin (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
Forward Egor Surin was selected by the Nashville Predators with the 22nd overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Despite having two more years left on his contract with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in the KHL, the Predators not only selected him in the first round of the draft but, according to general manager Barry Trotz, tried to go even higher. They failed to do so, but Surin went to Nashville anyway.
"I appreciate it," Surin said in an exclusive interview with RG. "I really hoped that Nashville would take me. I wanted to get into this team. I like it because there are no Russian franchise players like Alexander Ovechkin in Washington and Evgeni Malkin in Pittsburgh. My goal is to become such a player for the Predators."
Last season, Surin played in the Youth Hockey League (MHL) for Loko and scored 52 points (22 goals, 30 assists) in 42 games. The forward also took part in the playoffs, where he scored 23 points (five goals, 18 assists) in 19 games. In preseason KHL games, the 18-year-old forward showed himself brightly and earned praise from head coach Igor Nikitin.
"He has a high playing IQ," Nikitin said. "It was not for nothing that Nashville chose him. He definitely has the caliber. We need to help him realize his talent slowly."
Surin has two years to prepare for the NHL. He plans to learn English because it is necessary not only for adaptation in America but also "useful for self-development." NHL veteran Alexander Radulov, who also plays for Lokomotiv, is helping him get used to adult hockey.
"He gives much advice on and off the ice," Surin said. "During the games, he gives advice on where it is best to position yourself when playing in the powerplay. He is very active in this. We also talked about Nashville, he spent three seasons there. And we also talked about Barry Trotz. He told me a lot about everyday things and how to adapt to America. He shared his experience and told me how he got used to it and learned the language."
Surin went to the draft in Las Vegas and met not only the Predators management but also captain Roman Josi, with whom, as well as coach Andrew Brunette, he flew on a plane from Las Vegas. At that time, the European Football Championship was underway, and Surin felt how passionate NHL players are.
"At first, I lost him $20 when we bet on the outcome of the quarterfinal between Italy and Switzerland," Surin said. "Of course, he bet on Switzerland. But after the semifinal, I won $20 back when Switzerland lost to England. In general, we had a very interesting conversation about hockey and football. He said he wasn't a first-round pick and had to work hard."
Even though Surin won't be in the NHL for at least two years, he already feels part of the team. After the draft, he kept in touch via Instagram with forward Teddy Stiga, the Predators' second-round pick.
Trotz compared Surin to Florida forward Sam Bennett in one of his interviews. He was not the first to make such a comparison.
"It was funny to hear because someone told me a long time ago that I was very similar to him," Surin said. "After that, I started watching him more closely. I liked Bennett in some ways and didn't like in others. I think I can be better than him. In general, it's useful when you are compared to someone. Because you have the opportunity to watch this player and not repeat his mistakes.
I like another Florida forward, Matthew Tkachuk, more. He used to have a lot of fights and hits, but now he scores around 100 points, is the team leader, and has already won the Stanley Cup. I want to be like him but to become even better."
What is Surin's plan for the next two years from a hockey point of view?
"I need to improve my shot and work on my physical abilities and skating," he noted. "Thinking and playing style will come naturally in adult hockey. But I think it will be easier for me in the KHL than in the MHL. My teammates run and open up for you here, and I already get much pleasure in preseason games."
Sergey Demidov
