MONTREAL – For Ivan Demidov, the ice has always felt like home –– and this summer, it practically is.
Most days, the teenager explains, start and end at the CN Sports Complex, the Canadiens’ official practice facility. He’s up early, in the gym and on the ice before noon, home for a nap, then back in Brossard for a second skate before day turns to night.
That’s not exactly what a typical 19-year-old would call a relaxing summer.
But then again, Demidov isn’t your typical 19-year-old.
The hype around the Russian forward started well before the moment he touched down in North America last April, when hundreds of fans flooded Toronto Pearson Airport to witness his arrival with the Canadiens.
“I was expecting it, because I got a text from my agent that a lot of people were there,” Demidov told the Habs content team. “It felt amazing, because it’s like people love you and they came just to see you. I really appreciated it.”
That electricity and fandom followed the 2024 fifth-overall pick to his highly-anticipated debut four days later.
Thousands of fans packed the Bell Centre during warmups and erupted when Demidov stepped onto the ice for his rookie lap. The ovation was perfect, yet admittedly nervy for the youngster.
“I was scared, because everyone was out of their seats,” he laughed. “I tried not to do any crazy turns or anything, because I didn’t want to fall. But it gave me confidence, because it felt like everyone wanted me there.”
The buzz? It hasn’t gone anywhere since –– and neither has Demidov.
Montreal is where he wanted to spend his summer, and that’s exactly where he’s been.
“I wanted to prepare for my first season in the NHL, learn more about the culture and also improve my English. I hope it’s going well,” he said with a laugh.
The truth is –– it is.
Speaking to the Sergiyev Posad native, it’s clear that his English is coming along smoothly and that he’s settling into his new home with ease.
And Montrealers? They, too, are quickly getting used to having a new star in town.
“It’s hard to go outside, because everybody knows you,” Demidov chuckled. “It’s funny though, because people live for hockey here and that’s why I love it.”
Still, he and his girlfriend have made the most of summer in the city, soaking up the sunshine on walks and discovering new restaurants. They’ve also ventured beyond Quebec, with trips to the Dominican Republic, New York, and Miami –– the latter for Patrik Laine’s wedding.
“It was my first wedding; I’d never been before,” he said. “There were a lot of new faces –– Patty’s friends, a lot of Finnish guys. It was funny, because Russian weddings are a bit different, but it was good. I like these types of weddings.”
Back in Montreal, the dynamic winger also celebrated another teammate's big day, attending Nick Suzuki’s wedding in late July.
And speaking of milestones, he also marked one of his own. Demidov and his girlfriend welcomed a Maltipoo puppy to their home and named it Celine.
The million-dollar question: was it or was it not an ode to Quebec’s own, Celine Dion?
“We just like that name,” he smiled. “We tried to find a Russian name but thought it would be hard for Canadians to pronounce, so we went with Celine.”
As the summer winds down and Canadiens Training Camp looms, so does Demidov’s rookie season, though the Habs forward already looks to be in midseason form.
In fact, if you’re reading this, he’s probably already finished one skate today… and started another.
