Q&A: 2024 NHL Draft prospect Ivan Demidov on Blackhawks, North America and his game (2024)

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Ivan Demidov needed a few minutes. He had just been interviewed back-to-back-to-back. His English had improved from when he first started learning it a year ago in Russia, but the interviews were still a lot. He had to take five minutes to himself before the next one.

And the interviews were just beginning. With Demidov considered one of the elite forwards in the 2024 NHL Draft class but also somewhat of an unknown because he has been playing in Russia, there were plenty of NHL general managers and scouting staffs eager to meet with him in person when given the opportunity this week by Demidov’s agency, Gold Star Hockey.

With the No. 2 pick in this month’s draft, the Chicago Blackhawks were well represented in Florida on the opening day of the Gold Star Hockey camp. Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson, director of amateur scouting Mike Doneghey and hockey operations adviser Brian Campbell made the trip. The Blackhawks are expected to have dinner with Demidov and meet with other players this week. Blackhawks chairman and CEO Danny Wirtz is also in Florida and is expected to sit in on player meetings.

On Tuesday morning, Demidov was introduced to everyone in the stands at FTL War Memorial by his agent, Dan Milstein. Demidov isn’t participating in the on-ice portion of the camp this week due to a leg injury. As Demidov met with NHL staffs, everyone was noticeably sizing him up. Demidov heard people thought he was 5-foot-11, but he said that was his measurement from a few years ago. He thought he was closer to 6-1 now.

Demidov sat down with The Athletic on Tuesday and discussed his game, his NHL future and much more. Demidov is currently under contract with SKA in the KHL for another season and was very careful in answering any questions about that. Demidov spoke in English during the interview, but he also had an interpreter from Gold Star Hockey with him to help with any questions.

What’s it like being here?

Pretty good, yeah. I really like to be here.

A lot of interviews already, huh?

Yeah, a lot of interviews about my season, a lot of meetings with GMs. I think it’s my most busy morning of my life.

Why was it important for you to come to this?

I want to play in the NHL. I want to be drafted. That’s why I’m being here.

How’s your injury and the recovery?

Very, very good. I have an ankle ligament. (Demidov asked his interpreter a question.) It’s like a little bit about my ligament. After I’m going to recovery, but (it’s all) very good. I think about two weeks later I’m going to be on the ice.

Your English is pretty good. Is it something you learned growing up or more recently?

I’m learning with a teacher for one year.

What’s it been like to learn?

For me, it’s not hard. Maybe I can (Demidov asks his interpreter a question) mix up about times. I want to think now, but I can’t think in the past. That’s probably hard for me. I want to (learn).

I’ve watched some video of you playing, but how would you describe your own game?

I think I’m a playmaker. I really like playing with the puck. I like shooting. I like passing. I’m all about agility. I love hockey. It’s good.

Do you have favorite players or players you model your game after?

My idols? I haven’t idols, but maybe players who are similar. Jack Hughes, I grew up a Kirill Kaprizov fan, Nikita Kucherov.

What do you like about those players?

I think Kucherov is very, very good at passing. About Jack Hughes, it’s all about deking. It’s very, very good. And Kirill Kaprizov, I really like his skating.

You can see your playmaking ability in the type of passes you make. Your vision, the way you see the ice, where does that come from?

I think it’s from playing other sports, like soccer. I think it’s why my mind is better. I think this is what has helped me in hockey.

Did you play soccer a lot growing up?

Yeah.

Do you have a favorite soccer team?

Real Madrid.

Is there anything you feel you need to add or improve with your game to be an elite NHL player?

More explosive. I want to be more explosive. A little more strength.

I’m sure the big question you’ll get this week from NHL teams is how long until you come to North America. What are you going to tell them this week?

(Demidov asks his interpreter a question.) Yeah, I think it’s only a time. I really don’t know. (Demidov talks again with his interpreter. The interpreter says, “We’ll see what happens.”) Yeah, we’ll see what happens.

Teams want to learn about you in these meetings. What do you hope to learn about them and the NHL?

No, look, I think they talk to me about the NHL and I know all about the NHL. I really know more about the NHL, very big.

I’m not sure if you’re aware, but there’s a lot of talk among Chicago Blackhawks fans about drafting potentially you or Artyom Levshunov, who is also here. Are you aware of people talking about you or do you see any of it on social media?

I don’t see it. It’s good for media, it’s good for fans. For me, it’s like I’m doing my job. It’s good, but I don’t watch it.

How familiar are you with the Blackhawks and Connor Bedard?

I know all about them.

Are there aspects of Bedard’s game you like and respect?

I like Connor Bedard’s game. He has a good shot, good vision, very, very good players. Chicago is a good team for me, very good.

What would it mean for you to be drafted?

I think it’s pretty good for all players. When you’re a child, you think about the NHL. For you, it’s a dream. For me, the same. I want to be drafted.

Do you have any specific goals for next season?

I want to be more explosive and have more strength. That’s my target.

Do you hope for the opportunity to play more in the KHL?

I really don’t know. I think after the draft I can know.

Last question. There was one play you made last season — I wanted to know whether you meant to do this.

Yeah, I know that my first center goes for a change, I know that my second center on our team is going to be in this area, that’s why I only touch.

Does that work out often?

No, maybe, about three, five times all season. It’s really hard because it’s these situations are very rarely in hockey. When this happens, I only touch, it’s good.

What’s it like when it works out?

It’s all about vision. It’s all about hockey IQ, I think. All these things.

(Top photo: Maksim Konstantinov / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images)

Scott Powers is a senior writer for The Athletic covering the Chicago Blackhawks. Previously, he covered the Blackhawks and the White Sox for ESPN Chicago. He has also written for the Daily Herald and the Chicago Sun-Times and has been a sportswriter in the Chicagoland area for the past 15 years. Follow Scott on Twitter @byscottpowers