Ivan Demidov

April 2024 – Ivan Demidov has been almost as close to a lock for the #2 spot on our rankings all year long as Celebrini has been at #1. He is the most dynamic, versatile, and creative handler we’ve seen come through the draft in recent years, in large part due to his mind and hands consistently functioning at the same pace, whether he ups the pace or shifts down the gears to make use of the space he creates for himself. The Russian winger has an intuitive understanding of how to create openings in defensive structures and to make the very most of them. He can take on entire defenses on his own and squeeze out one or multiple high-danger scoring chances from his incursions.

While he will still need to learn to calibrate his risk-assessment gauge when he makes the leap to professional competition, he has already begun to integrate increased give-and-go’s and use of his linemates as the MHL season has progressed. Elements of his on-puck decision-making remain raw, but his upside as a 100-point top-line winger is supported by decent off-puck and defensive engagement and lightning-quick processing of the game. Some areas of his game that will require refinement before he can fully unlock that upside include his footspeed, use of his outside edges, lower body explosiveness, and rooting himself when engaged in puck battles. His elite-level of on-puck intelligence and his trifecta of dynamic handling, playmaking, and goalscoring tools give him the foundation to become an electrifying creative force and offensive driver. (April Rankings: #2) Sebastian High

November 2023 – Ivan Demidov is the most creative, dynamic, and skillful puck handler we’ve seen since at least Jack Hughes. His seemingly innate escapability, versatile inside edges, and great mobility combine with his handling skill to consistently create scoring chances for himself and his linemates with tremendous flair. While there was little debate for us at #1, Demidov was our unanimous pick at #2, garnering support from all those who have watched him play. He breaks the mould (somewhat) of the typical skilled Russian winger, showing off an impressive motor, flashes of strong backchecking ability, and a ceaseless desire to create in all three zones. That said, against MHL competition he can go full pond hockey mode at times, trying anything and everything to see what works. On the one hand, this allows him to practice his creativity and forces him into spots where he needs to make a few consecutive quick decisions and movements to retain possession. But on the other, this style of play teaches bad habits, doesn’t at all work at higher levels, and does not benefit his NHL projection. While we still have unanswered questions (amplified by his injury) his offensive upside is unmatched in this draft class, and we are firm believers that his toolkit and brain will make his transition to the NHL a relatively smooth one when the time comes. Sebastian High (November Rankings: 2nd Overall)