Canadiens: Ivan Demidov Places Second in Best Russian U20 Player Poll Behind Matvei Michkov

Yesterday, Hockey News Hub took to X and revealed the results of their best Russian U20 player poll.

With a whopping 114 points, Philadelphia Flyers prospect Matvei Michkov was ranked the top U20 player. In second place is the Canadiens’ fifth-overall draft selection in 2024 Ivan Demidov with 100 points. New Jersey Devils prospect Anton Silaev placed third with 76 points.

The voters were comprised of Russian hockey reporters, commentators and bloggers, namely from outlets that include but are not limited to KHL TV, RB Sport, and This is Hockey, Brother! Voters were asked to rank in their opinion the five best Russian players under the age of 20. The points were then divided based on where the player was ranked. The point system gave five points for a first-place vote, three for a second-place vote and one for a third-place vote.

While Michkov did finish higher than Demidov, the Canadiens’ forward bested his fellow Russian in first-place votes 16-15.

Michkov finished the 2023-24 season in the KHL with HK Sochi, tallying 19 goals and 41 points in 47 games. He is slated to spend the 2024-25 campaign with the Flyers in North America.

Demidov, as we all know, is training in the KHL with SKA St Petersburg, where he is expected to spend the 2024-25 campaign. He averaged 2.0 points per game last season in the MHL.

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