For Montreal Canadiens rookie sensation Ivan Demidov, Thomas Wolfe was apparently right. You really can’t go home again.
Well, maybe he could go back to Russia someday, but it would probably be wise if Demidov waits until after he turns 31 before making that trip to the motherland.
On Monday, during his first appearance since joining Montreal radio station 98.5 FM, longtime hockey analyst and host of The Sick Podcast Tony Marinaro talked about Demidov’s decision to remain in Montreal during the offseason, explaining that if the 19-year-old Demidov were to return to Russia, he would likely be forced to stay and join the army.
New Russian Law Could Force Canadiens Rookie Ivan Demidov Into Military Service
That risk stems from a law the Russian State Duma passed in July 2023, which expanded the draft age for compulsory military service from 18–27 to 18–30. Every man in that age range is required to serve a year in the armed forces, and once a draft notice is issued, leaving the country is no longer an option.
To tighten the screws further, Russia now delivers those notices digitally, while adding stiff penalties — like restrictions on loans, jobs, and housing — for anyone who tries to dodge service. For a 19-year-old like Demidov, heading home could mean being locked inside Russia with limited freedom, no way to return to Montreal, and the very real possibility of being forced to wear a military uniform, rather than a Canadiens sweater.
Obviously, such a development could prove devastating to Demidov’s future, not to mention the continuing development of a potential superstar who was selected by Montreal with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 draft. It would also strip the Canadiens of a player who many feel is the frontrunner to win the Calder Trophy in 2025-26.
Last year in his first full season of play with St. Petersburg SKA in the KHL, the winger led his team in scoring despite leaving to join the Canadiens before the season had ended. He finished with 19 goals and 30 assists in 65 games and was named the KHL rookie of the year.
In two regular season games with Montreal, Demidov scored a goal and an assist, and he added two more assists in five playoff contests, only fueling the hype that has fans, and even some analysts, suggesting that Demidov could be the next Guy Lafleur.
Calder Trophy Winner Lane Hutson Extols Ivan Demidov’s ‘Ingrained Hockey Brain’
However, there are some like Michael Augello of The Hockey News who are trying to pump the brakes ever so slightly on the immediate expectations. On a recent episode of The Wrap Around podcast, Augello did his best to remind everyone that while Demidov should be one of the top rookies in the league this season, he won’t even turn 20 until December.
“The challenges of adjusting from the KHL to the NHL, he’s not a fully formed player. He’s an offensive phenom,” Augello stressed. “Defensively, strength-wise, I think [those] are things that he’s going to have to work on and improve. Maybe he can get stronger in the offseason.”
Adam Kierszenblat agreed with Augello, adding that it will be interesting to see how Demidov reacts to the inevitable challenges of a first-year player under the Montreal spotlight.
“That is a lot of pressure, and especially because you’re going to have a lot of fans, a lot of media being like, ‘Well, this guy’s going to play on the top line. He’s going to play on the top power play,’” Kierszenblat added. “What happens if he doesn’t record a point in five or six games, which is normal for rookies.”
But as far as another Calder Trophy winner is concerned, Demidov definitely has what it takes. Speaking recently to reporters, Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson, who has reportedly bonded with Demidov during the offseason, raved about what the Russian rookie brings to the ice.
“It’s just an ingrained hockey brain that he has,” Hutson said. “His intelligence on the ice is pretty special, and it’s rare to see that as a younger guy coming into the league. Watching what he’s able to do with the puck and the plays he sees that a lot of guys maybe miss, it’s really cool.”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Canadiens’ ‘Phenom’ Makes Bold Move to Protect His Future appeared first on Heavy Sports.