The Kurgan, Russia product was one of only two rookies in the Q to surpass 20 goals and 40 points. The other, Rouyn-Noranda’s Lars Steiner, is a top 2026 draft prospect who managed exactly 60 points despite being two years younger than Gridin.

Gridin beat out goaltenders Lucas Beckman (Baie-Comeau) and William Lacelle (Rimouski) to win the Crosby Trophy, which was renamed in honour of the long-time Pittsburgh Penguins captain this past February. It was previously known as the RDS Cup from 1996 to 2024, with past winners including Nico Hischier, Alexis Lafrenière, Nik Ehlers, Jakub Voracek, and Crosby himself.

The Flames selected Gridin at No. 28 overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, using the pick they acquired from the Vancouver Canucks in the Elias Lindholm trade. He spent his draft year with the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks and had initially committed to the University of Michigan before switching tracks and heading to the Q.

Unlike most 2006-born major junior players, Gridin is not directly governed by the terms of the NHL/CHL transfer agreement as he was drafted out of the USHL. As such, he is indeed eligible to join the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers as soon as the 2025-26 season, although Flames AGM Brad Pascall stopped just short of confirming that decision in a recent radio interview.

Gridin was previously named the QMJHL’s top offensive rookie for 2024-25 last month. He signed a three-year, entry-level deal with the Flames at their prospect development camp in July 2024.