Slava Demin is just 16-years old but already playing well beyond his years in the BCHL.
The Cypress, California product notched 2 goals for the Wenatchee Wild in an 11-2 victory over the Prince George Spruce Kings on Saturday from the RMCA.
Demin is one of 8 players currently on the Wild roster from California and believes the jump to the Junior A ranks has been fairly smooth.
“At first I was a little nervous to go because in junior you are playing against older players but the team has taken me in and treated me as one of their own. I have had a really fun time developing and learning from the coaching staff.”
Demin recorded 11 points in 25 games for the Anaheim Junior Ducks U-16 program last season and says the landscape of the game in his home state has changed dramatically in such a short time.
“Hockey has come a long way in California with the Ducks and Kings winning the Stanley Cup and I think it’s also a credit to all the great coaches in the state that put the time in for the players and expose them to all the colleges and it shows with all the high-calibre players coming out.”
The rookie rearguard is projected to be 1st or 2nd round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft which is something Demin is taking in stride.
“The draft is two years away you try not to think about it but will always be in the back of your mind, when your competing with older competition you want to show you belong and are one of the best players and I think it’s important to focus on my development every day and not get too high on myself right now.”
BCHL had 3 players go in the 1st round during the 2016 NHL Draft in June including Tyson Jost and Dante Fabbro of the Penticton Vees plus Dennis Cholowski from the Chilliwack Chiefs.
Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
