Many NHL groups upped the ante on Friday night time through the draft at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
However, the Canadiens stole the present once they allowed five-time Grammy winner and Quebec native Céline Dion to announce the collection of Russian winger Ivan Demidov with the fifth total choose within the first spherical.
After a number of prolonged pauses, the “My Coronary heart Will Go On” singer mustered out the collection of the 18-year-old ahead.
ESPN broadcaster John Buccigross was fast to react, calling it “essentially the most dramatic draft announcement of all time.”
Demidov is about to hitch one of many league’s most storied franchises, which has gained 24 Stanley Cups however remains to be looking for its first since 1993.
And he’s bringing with him a lot expertise.
Demidov decimated the junior-level MHL in Russia, the place he tucked away 23 targets and added 37 assists — totaling 60 factors — in solely 30 video games this season.
Scouting stories touted the stud as some of the prolific Russian prospects in recent times.
However, Montreal wasn’t the one one so as to add some aptitude on draft night time.
The Flyers adopted swimsuit with the thirteenth choose within the draft, the place they introduced out legendary ring announcer Michael Buffer.
Buffer had the pleasure of saying middle Jett Luchanko of the OHL’s Guelph Storm because the Flyers’ choice.
However, after all, he began his introduced along with his well-known phrase, “Let’s get able to rumble!”
“What a strategy to enter the NHL, with Michael Buffer saying your identify,” Buccigross stated.
Luchanko is coming off a profitable junior ice hockey stint throughout which he scored 20 targets and 74 factors in 68 video games.
He has confirmed to have distinctive hockey IQ alongside a stable two-way sport.
If Dion and Buffer are a harbinger of what’s to come back for the Canadiens and Flyers, the NHL is now on discover.
