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Ivan Demidov Named December Rookie of the Month

1/2/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Ivan Demidov of the Montreal Canadiens was named December 2025 Rookie of the Month after leading rookies with 14 points (4 goals, 10 assists) in 15 games.
The 19-year-old forward has 33 points in 39 games and may exceed 70 points in his rookie year.
He was selected fifth overall in the 2024 NHL Draft and benefits from chemistry with Juraj Slafkovsky (Montreal Canadiens), who also excelled in December.

History

Historical Context

In the 2024 NHL Draft, the Montreal Canadiens selected Ivan Demidov fifth overall, marking a significant moment for the franchise. This decision aligns with their history of developing talent, as seen with Lane Hutson, who set a franchise record for rookie defensemen with 60 assists in the 2024-25 season. The Canadiens' focus on nurturing young players is crucial for their future competitiveness.

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Story summary

Ivan Demidov of the Montreal Canadiens was named December 2025 Rookie of the Month after leading rookies with 14 points (4 goals, 10 assists) in 15 games.
The 19-year-old forward has 33 points in 39 games and may exceed 70 points in his rookie year.
He was selected fifth overall in the 2024 NHL Draft and benefits from chemistry with Juraj Slafkovsky (Montreal Canadiens), who also excelled in December.

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