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Many Montreal Canadiens supporters welcomed Ivan Demidov as he arrived in Canada at Toronto Pearson Airport late Thursday night, chanting his name after his lengthy flight from Russia.
The fans, clad in Canadiens jerseys, expressed excitement to see and greet the 19-year-old player who they hope will become a key figure on the team.
“It’s been ages since I’ve seen such an enthusiastic crowd,” remarked Julianna Cavallaro, co-owner of Sick Media, who attended with family. They spontaneously decided to broadcast Demidov’s arrival via podcast host Tony Marinaro’s X account.
“We were amazed by the number of viewers tuning in,” she shared, noting hundreds of thousands engaged with the live stream.
As Demidov exited the airport with a broad smile, the anticipation among Montreal fans grew even stronger.
The young Russian forward recently concluded his season with Saint Petersburg in the Kontinental Hockey League, where he excelled in scoring, showcasing remarkable skills on the ice with several highlight-reel goals. The Canadiens selected him fifth overall in the previous draft, and with his contract obligations in Russia now fulfilled, he is ready to contribute as the Habs approach a potential playoff spot.
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“He is undeniably one of the top players drafted this decade,” explained Marco Damico from RG, a sports news analysis platform. Fans eagerly followed Demidov’s journey from Russia to Turkey, where he finalized the necessary paperwork to join the North American team. His number 93 jersey has already sold out on the Canadiens’ website, even before he officially put it on.
While some fans expressed concerns about the level of scrutiny and pressure Demidov might face in Montreal, which could impact his performance, others voiced hope he would remain unaffected by the city’s renowned nightlife. Damico, who had an opportunity to interview Demidov earlier this week, believes the young player is equipped to handle the spotlight.
“He lives and breathes hockey, and he embraced the move to Montreal,” Damico stated.
Brian Wilde, a columnist for Global, concurred, calling Demidov’s comfort under pressure a significant asset in his capabilities as a player. Speaking on Global News Morning in Montreal, he noted that it is common in Europe for fans to greet players at the airport, akin to soccer fandom.
Demidov is scheduled to join his new teammates on the ice for practice on Monday evening at the Bell Centre, where they will face the Chicago Blackhawks. Tickets for this highly anticipated game are already listed for over $1,000 on resale platforms. It has been a challenging stretch for the Canadiens, as they have not reached the playoffs since 2021, but several scenarios could secure their postseason berth this season.
Source
globalnews.ca