Montreal Canadiens fans are very interested in the 2024-25 Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) season since the team’s most recent first-round draft pick, Ivan Demidov, skates with SKA St. Peterburg.
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However, if anyone intently follows Demidov’s journey in the KHL, they may be surprised to learn several former Canadiens are in the league.
Related: Canadiens Prospect Demidov Held Pointless Again in KHL Game
According to Elite Prospects, 12 former Montreal players are continuing their careers in Russia; here’s a look at them.
Nikita Nesterov (CSKA Moskva)
Nikita Nesterov played only 13 games with the Canadiens in 2016-17, last appearing in North America with the Calgary Flames in 2020-21. He’s been with CSKA Moskva on and off since 2017-18 and has served as their captain since the 2022-23 campaign.
Alexander Radulov (Lokomotiv Yaroslavl)
Alexander Radulov played one season in Montreal, netting 54 points in 76 games during the 2016-17 season. After five years in Dallas, he returned home to the KHL and is now skating with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl after two seasons with Ak Bars Kazan.
Alexander Galchenyuk (Amur Khabarovsk)
Alex Galchenyuk made his KHL debut in 2023-24 as a member of SKA St. Petersburg and is now under contract with Amur Khabarovsk. During his NHL career, he played six seasons in Montreal, netting 255 points in 418 games from 2012 to 2018.
Byron Froese (Lokomotiv Yaroslavl)
Over six seasons, Byron Froese played 141 games in the NHL, including 48 with the Canadiens in 2017-18. As recent as last season, he played with the Vegas Golden Knights but is now in the KHL for the first time with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.
Denis Guryanov (CSKA Moskva)
Denis Guryanov is back in the KHL after playing in North America from 2016 to 2024, stopping briefly in Montreal for 23 games in 2022-23. He’s now skating with CSKA Moskva, after beginning his KHL career with Ladia Togliatti.
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Darren Dietz (Avangard Omsk)
Darren Dietz is a KHL veteran, now on his fourth team since joining the league in 2017-18. His only appearance in the NHL happened with the Canadiens during the 2015-16 season, when he tallied five points in 13 games.
Xavier Ouellet (Dinamo Minsk)
Xavier Ouellet’s played 37…