The Montreal Canadiens selected forward Ivan Demidov fifth overall in the NHL draft on Friday night at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
It was the famous singer Celine Dion, presented by general manager Kent Hughes as the “number 1 fan of the Canadiens”, who announced the Canadiens’ choice.
Demidov is a talented Russian who dominated his native country’s junior league with 60 points, including 23 goals, in 30 games. He was held off the scoresheet in four games in the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg.
He is especially recognized for his spectacular offensive skills, but he has also demonstrated good commitment to his territory. He helped his club win the Russian junior league championship and was named the tour’s MVP.
The Canadian therefore ignored the “Russian factor”. Demidov only has one more year left on his contract with SKA St. Petersburg and has expressed his desire to come play in North America afterward.
Last year, the Canadiens chose Austrian defenseman David Reinbacher fifth overall in the draft, presented in Nashville.
This is the fifth time since 2012 that the Canadian has one of the first five picks in the draft. He also selected Alex Galchenyuk (2012) and Jesperi Kotkaniemi (2018) at third overall, as well as Juraj Slafkovsky at first overall in 2022.
The Canadian also had the 21e first-round pick. He moved up five spots earlier in the day by trading the Nos. 26, 57 and 198 picks to the Los Angeles Kings for the No. 21e right to speak.
He had acquired the 26e choice of the Winnipeg Jets this winter in return for Sean Monahan.
The draft continues Saturday. The Canadiens will start the day with two third-round picks (70e and 78e overall), a fourth-round pick (102e), two fifth-round picks ($130e and 134e), a sixth-round pick (166e) and two seventh-round picks (210e and 224e).