• Afanasyev was named to the United States Hockey League Third All-Star Team in 2018-19 after ranking 10th in scoring with 27-35—62 in 58 games for the Muskegon Lumberjacks. It marked a drastic improvement over his USHL rookie season in 2017-18 when he registered 6-8—14 in 45 appearances.

• A native of Tver, Russia, Afanasyev represented his country at the 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge where he produced at a point-per-game pace (2-3—5 in 5 GP).

• Models his style of play after Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews.