Player Profile: Ivan Demidov

Ivan Demidov was born on December 10, 2005, in Sergiyev Posad, Russia. His brother, Semyon, is a forward playing in the VHL in Russia. Ivan played U16, U17, and U18 hockey for Vityaz Podolsk and combined for 34 goals and 32 assists in 31 total games. During the 2021-22 season, Demidov played for SKA St. Petersburg U17 and totaled 26 points in 11 games before moving on to the MHL, where the left-shot wing registered 21 points in 25 games.

Demidov played nine games for the Russian U18 team, collected three goals and four assists. The next season, Demidov dominated for SKA-1946 St. Petersburg with 19 goals and 43 assists in 41 regular-season games. In the postseason, he tallied five goals and eight assists in ten contests. The 6-foot, 190-pound forward would continue to sparkle during the 2023-24 season with 60 points in 30 games, followed by a 28-point postseason.

Click here for Ivan Demidov’s NHL Draft Prospect Profile:
2024 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Ivan Demidov | Inside The Rink

The Montreal Canadiens Drafted Ivan Demidov in the First Round of the 2024 NHL Draft

Ivan Demidov was selected by the Montreal Canadiens with the fifth overall draft pick in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft. During the 2024-25 season, Demidov stayed in Russia and posted 19 goals and 30 assists in 65 regular season games for SKA St. Petersburg.

Ivan Demidov’s NHL Debut to Today

On April 14, 2025, Ivan Demidov made his NHL debut with the Montreal Canadiens against the Chicago Blackhawks, scoring his first NHL goal and adding an assist in 16:56 of ice time. In the postseason, Demidov played all five games and recorded two assists. Demidov will begin the 2025-26 season with Montreal and is a candidate for the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie.