NHL: NHL Draft - Source: Imagn — Top Canadiens prospect Ivan Demidov was prepared to 'pee on my hands' before scoring first KHL goal (Image source: Imagn)

Top Canadiens prospect Ivan Demidov was prepared to 'pee on my hands' before scoring first KHL goal

Modified Sep 16, 2024 04:37 GMT

Ivan Demidov, the No. 5 overall pick for the Montreal Canadiens in the 2024 NHL draft, had a memorable moment before scoring his first KHL goal. Before the goal, he humorously said that he was "ready to pee on my hands" for good luck.

Plying for SKA St. Petersburgh, Demidov scored in a 4-3 overtime win against Lada on Sunday. He found the net just 1:59 into the first period after hitting the post and tapping in the rebound on Evgeny Kuznetsov's assist.

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During the postgame interview. Ivan Demidov shared his relief after scoring his first KHL goal. He said that scoring felt like dropping a heavy burden off his shoulders, as he had been frustrated by numerous opportunities in previous games.

Reflecting on his earlier struggles, the 18-year-old acknowledged hitting the post and crossbar multiple times before breaking through. While he jokingly suggested that he needed a quirky ritual for good luck, he was thrilled to achieve his goal without resorting to it.

Demidov said (via RG.org):

"There were a lot of posts and crossbars on my shots," Demidov said during the press conference a few minutes earlier. "Maybe I needed to pee on my hands to gain some luck, but I managed to score without doing it."

Ivan Demidov acknowledges Evgeny Kuznetsov's extensive experience

Demidov and Kuznetsov have been playing together mostly on the third line and have started to form a chemistry between themselves.

The young Demidov acknowledged the former Caps player's extensive experience and emphasized the importance of positioning himself effectively to complement Kuznetsov's play.

"Kuznetsov and I quickly found common ground," Demidov said. "We’re both funny guys, and we understand hockey. He has much more experience, so I need to be in the right place and try to feel him. We had many moments when we felt each other well tonight. If we continue like this, our chemistry can get much stronger.

"Kuznetsov likes to talk on and off the ice. He's always joking. But he can also be serious. If the game allows it, he’s fun. He can switch momentarily."

Demidov is highly regarded as one of the best talents from Russia in recent years and has accumulated two points in five KHL games.

Also Read: Matvei Michkov drops a teasing comment on Ivan Demidov and girlfriend Ekaterina Yakovleva's intimate photoshoot