Demidov craze set to hit peak heights, Montreal Canadiens confirm he’ll play

With two games left in the regular season and the postseason looming, Montreal Canadiens first-round draft pick Ivan Demidov will wear his no. 93.

Of all the teenagers who have made National Hockey League (NHL) debuts in recent years, few have been under the scrutiny of the 19-year-old who is set to wear no. 93 for the Habs on Monday night.

Three days after he was hounded exiting a plane from Turkiye – more than 650 km away from Montreal’s Bell Centre – “Demidov: Là pour les Canadiens” [Demidov: Here for Canadiens] campaign signs have started popping up around the city – and he hasn’t yet played a single minute.

That will all change on Monday night when the fifth overall pick of the 2024 Entry Draft laces up for Montreal against the Chicago Blackhawks at home.

Coach Martin St-Louis confirmed the news.

“This is like the next offensive gem for the Canadiens,” said TSN 690 Radio host Mitch Gallo. “Fans are as excited as they are because it’s been maybe 30 years that they’ve had a player offensively with his capabilities. There’s been good players that have come through here. There’s been star goaltenders that have come through here, but not a star offensive player like Demidov in a long, long time.”

Tickets for Monday’s game were in the “insane surge price range.” Cheap seats were starting at around $350 and primo seats in the lower bowl were listed as high as $2,600.

Wayne Parker came from Cambellton, New Brunswick to be among those to see Demidov in action.

“I came up here to see the game tonight, to see this new Demidov,” he said.

Anyone wanting to pick up a game-day jersey may be out of luck as the Habs’ official Tricolore sportswear is sold out in all sizes.

Demidov practiced on Monday with Alex Newhook and Joel Armia, and may be part of the second powerplay unit, according to the team.

Since Demidov touched down in Toronto, the Canadiens have missed two opportunities to clinch a postseason spot with a loss to the Ottawa Senators last Friday, and an overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.

A win in any fashion tonight for the Habs would book them a place in the postseason.

He signed a three-year entry-level contract with Montreal last week.

How will Demidov stack up?

The Sergiyev Posad-native is clearly the most hyped Habs debut since Carey Price’s started between the pipes in 2005.

It remains to be seen how he stacks up with other notable debuts.

All of the current and future Hall of Fame players’ debuts came at the beginning of the season, and all but Alexander Ovechkin started their careers as teenagers.

They are also all forwards.

Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks (Oct. 11, 2023)

The 18-year-old from North Vancouver collected an assist in his first game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2023 against his childhood hero Sidney Crosby.

Bedard went two-for-13 on faceoffs against Crosby and other future Hall-of-Famer Evgeni Malkin. He has yet to play a playoff game.

Speaking of Sid…

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins (Oct. 5, 2005)

Unlike Demidov, the 19-year-old Sid the Kid laced up for the first game with one all time great – Mario Lemieux – against another – New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur.

Crosby assisted on a Mark Recchi goal. Crosby was a -2 on the night.

Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers (Oct. 9, 2015)

The 18-year-old McDavid did not get a point in a 3-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues and was a -1 on the night.

He scored five days later in a 4-2 loss to the Dallas Stars.

Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs (Oct. 12, 2016)

The most impressive first game in recent years belongs to Matthews, who scored four goals against the Ottawa Senators in an 5-4 overtime loss less than a month after turning 19.

He was the first no. 1 overall draft pick to score on his debut since a certain 39-year-old from Moscow.

Speaking of Ovi…

Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals (Oct. 5, 2005)

Just under 20 years ago, the NHL’s top goal scorer laced up for the first time in Columbus against the Blue Jackets and scored twice.

He had just turned 20 and scored 894 more goals and is now the all-time leader.

He would have debuted as a teenager, had the NHL not went on strike in 2004.

Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins (Oct. 11, 1984)

“The Magnificent One” stole the puck from Boston Bruins Hall-of-Fame defenceman Ray Bourque and scored on his first shot six days after his 19th birthday.

And finally…

Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers (Oct. 10, 1979)

The 18-year-old, like Demidov, also started his career against the Blackhawks and got one of his 1,923 assists in the game.

Gretzky, like Demidov, played in another professional league (the World Hockey Association) for the Indianapolis Racers before making his NHL debut.

No pressure...

With files from The Canadian Press.