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Canadiens' Ivan Demidov Hits Off-Season Running

Ivan Demidov has been a polarizing presence since the Montreal Canadiens drafted him, and given his off-season work to date, he could become a household name once he hits the ice for his rookie season.

Tyler Major-Mcnicol

Apr 14, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Ivan Demidov (93) plays the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks in the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Apr 14, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Ivan Demidov (93) plays the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks in the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images / David Kirouac-Imagn Images
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Montreal Canadiens superstar rookie Ivan Demidov is set to embark on his first full NHL camp and preseason, followed by his Calder season debut. While he certainly didn't look out of place in his few games during the 2024-25 season, he has been hard at work, preparing to make his mark on the league.

While he has been reportedly doing two sessions a day, five days a week on the ice, and in the gym every morning before hitting the ice. He is showing his dedication and work ethic, that could set a new standard for the entire group, alongside Lane Hutson, the two under-22 skaters are perhaps the hardest workers in the Canadiens room.

It's all for their love of the game, but what Demidov did recently just showed that he is all class, and any chance he can give back to the crazed fans who have sold out his jerseys, he is open to taking it. That came through recently at the MYM Showdown in Boisbriand, Quebec.

The event had Demidov partake in a shootout competition, and the poor goalie's day went as you would expect it to go. But, this also gave fans a glimpse of the creativity, puck handling and shifty edges that Demidov is going to introduce to the league come October.

Though just in a small sample size to this point, Demidov has shown his skills and instincts against NHL competition, but the majority of film on Demidov is from his time in the KHL, and few fans dig for those highlights. Demidov sported a teal and orange sweater and deked the goaltender out of their skates many times over.

There is about to be a shift in Montreal, and the youth, especially Demidov and Hutson, who will support captain Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, who are in their primes, are going to make all the difference for the budding Canadiens.

A shift from rebuilding club to playoff contender will require many things to go right for the Canadiens, but doubters mustn't make the same mistake and count out the up-and-coming team, which has its sights set on Stanley Cup No. 25.

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Tyler Major-Mcnicol
TYLER MAJOR-MCNICOL

Tyler is a former Algonquin College journalism graduate, and passionate hockey fan. His love for the Montreal Canadiens comes second to his love of hockey. With two daughter’s under four years old, hockey is always a topic of conversation. Nothing gets me quite excited like an empty canvas waiting to have a story written on it, and the smell of fresh ice in the air.

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