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No, Ivan Demidov did not win the KHL Rookie of the Year award

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated May 29, 2025 1:33 PM ET

Ivan Demidov collected 49 points in 65 games this season in the KHL.

He finished the campaign as the leading scorer for his club – which had some good players – and helped SKA St. Petersburg to success.

Oh, and he also had the best season in league history for a player in his 18th season.

You might say that’s illogical… but it wasn’t enough for him to win KHL Rookie of the Year.

Instead, Yegor Surin, a player with 21 points in 60 games, goes home with the trophy.

Ahem…

Yegor Surin wins Sport-Express’ KHL Rookie of the Year award.

A 35-point gap between him and Ivan Demidov this season. https://t.co/VzXgt5ifSR

– Nicolas Cloutier (@NCloutierTVA) May 29, 2025

The news is a bit… insane.

Ivan Demidov deserved to win this title, and we agree that it’s no secret.

Because not only was he the league’s best rookie, Demidov was also one of the most productive players on the circuit, while playing less than the others.

We know that his playing time hasn’t always been ideal with SKA this season. And we also know that, in spite of everything, he found a way to be among the league’s best players…

But what probably explains all this is the fact that Demidov won’t be attending the KHL ceremony to present the trophy. The Canadiens player will be spending the summer in Montreal:

Yegor Surin wins the KHL Rookie of the year award over Ivan Demidov.

When it became clear that Demidov would not be attending the ceremony due to staying in Montreal for the summer (reported by @TheRGMedia) the KHL shifted the award from Demidov to Surin.

– Marco D’Amico (@mndamico) May 29, 2025

But hey.

Ivan Demidov can take comfort in the fact that, in 24-25, he’ll have the opportunity to win the NHL Rookie of the Year award.

And if he plays the way he did at the end of the season with the Canadiens, he’ll give himself a chance.

Overtime

– Well done!

What six short weeks can do for youngsters.

From Montreal-North to Val-d’Or, the BLEU BLANC BOUGE program gets kids moving with ball hockey! These sessions, presented in partnership with @SunLifeQC and held on our four-season infrastructures pic.twitter.com/HtKc2GRFds

– Canadiens Children’s Foundation (@CHCFondation) May 29, 2025

– Seen likewise.

Thomas Harley on Zach Hyman: “He’s a great player. … I’m happy he’s not playing. Obviously, injuries suck. But he’s a good player, and when he’s not on their team, they’re a little bit worse.”

– Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) May 29, 2025

– Who wins tonight?

Will the Oilers meet the Panthers in the #StanleyCup Final for the second year in a row or will the Stars push for Game 6?

: @EdmontonOilers vs. @DallasStars Western Conference Final Game 5 TONIGHT at 8p ET on @espn, @ESPNPlus, @Sportsnet, and @TVASports pic.twitter.com/Ry8ltpxGJm

– NHL (@NHL) May 29, 2025

– Love the look.

A fresh look for this weekend’s #SpanishGP to celebrate @alpinecars‘ 70th anniversary pic.twitter.com/5iJoabwPKB

– BWT Alpine Formula One Team (@AlpineF1Team) May 29, 2025