Ivan Demidov (ice hockey)

Ivan Demidov (Иван Демидов; born 10 December 2005) is a Russian professional ice hockey winger for SKA-1946 of the Russian Junior Hockey League (MHL) as a prospect to SKA Saint Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He was selected fifth overall by the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career
In the Russian Junior Hockey League (MHL), Demidov scored over 1.4 points per game, leading the league in scoring. He made his Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) debut with SKA Saint Petersburg in 2022, at the age of 16.

The presumptive second overall pick due to his passing and goal-scoring abilities according to scouts, Bob McKenzie speculated Demidov might fall on draft day due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He was ultimately selected fifth overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, which was announced by prominent Canadian singer Celine Dion.

International play
Demidov won a gold medal with Team Russia at the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, scoring five points in five games.