The Bell Centre was buzzing on April 14th when Ivan Demidov played his first game in the NHL. The 19-year-old Russian hockey player instantly proved why everybody was talking about him by scoring a goal and making an assist.

From his very first shift, Demidov looked like he belonged in that game. Skating alongside Kirby Dach and Juraj Slafkovský, the rookie showed off slick hands and the kind of IQ that you can’t teach. He helped the Montreal Canadiens lead the game 4-2 against the Blackhawks.

The Canadian crowd went wild! He scored 13:32 in the game after receiving a weird rebound on the post.. The Montreal Canadiens fans felt that the goal proved that Ivan Demidov is not one of those random top draft picks, but a rising star, a future legend in Montreal Canadiens history. Not only were the fans excited, but the player himself was full of energy. “I’ve dreamed about this moment for a long time,” Demidov said after the game, still smiling. “To wear this jersey, in front of these fans—it’s something I’ll never forget.”

The fans are not the only ones hyped about his arrival; Nick Suzuki and Martin St. Louis are very impressed by his performance. “You don’t see kids this young come in and play like that every day. He was calm, creative, and made a difference,” said head coach St. Louis. Nick Suzuki shares the same opinion, calling Ivan “smart and smooth.”

Ivan Demidov’s debut wasn’t just a great night, it was the start of a new era. With one goal, one assist, and the whole Bell Centre chanting his name, the young russian hockey player proved that he belongs in the Montreal Canadiens. With his stunning performance on April 14th, it is impossible to imagine his skill in the next seasons, when he will have the expertise of a veteran.