Last week, Montreal Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov traveled to Florida to visit the team at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. However, he returned to Montreal this week to prepare for the opening of the GoPlex e-cart center located at 8505 Boulevard Taschereau in Brossard, scheduled for February 11th. The event is being promoted on Instagram as a chance for fans to meet the NHL’s Rookie of the Year hopeful, though fans can only take photos with Demidov and are not permitted to get autographs. The handshake meet-and-greet will run from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. and will operate on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning not everyone will get a chance to meet him.
Since joining the Canadiens last April, Demidov has quickly become popular among fans for his impressive performances and engaging personality. His jerseys have been a common sight at the Bell Centre from his very first game against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Canadiens are set to return to practice on February 17th, and it will be interesting to see if Demidov continues to skate with Lane Hutson at the Bleu, Blanc et Rouge rinks during the holiday break—something that would certainly brighten the days of attending fans.
With 25 games left in his rookie season, Demidov currently leads all rookies in points with 46, trailing Beckett Senecke of the Ducks by two points and Matthew Schaefer of the Islanders by seven. While he’s a strong contender for the Calder Trophy, he’s not the favorite at this stage—those honors likely go to 18-year-old Schaefer, the first overall pick in the most recent draft. The two rookies are set to face off on February 26, marking Demidov’s first matchup against Schaefer since the Olympic break.
Fan Take: Demidov’s rising star not only energizes the Canadiens but also adds excitement to the rookie race, emphasizing how new talents are shaping the future of hockey. This spotlight on young players like him helps fuel the passion of fans and could herald a new era of dynamic, youthful competition in the league.
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