Alexander Zharovsky (Photo by HC Salavat Yulaev)
Alexander Zharovsky was the first player selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2025 NHL Draft. The Russian forward was taken early in the second round, with the 34th overall pick. The Canadiens traded up, paying a heavy price of two early second-rounders to draft him, and the move is already being viewed as a slam dunk for Montreal.
At just 18 years old, Zharovsky is playing his first full professional season – and doing it brilliantly. In 11 KHL games for Salavat Yulaev, he has collected nine points (four goals, five assists) and is emerging as one of the brightest young players in Europe’s top league.
“With every game I feel better and better,” Zharovsky told RG in an exclusive interview. “There’s less fear and hesitation now. Of course, there are moments where I need to calm my game down. There’s always room to grow and improve, especially when it comes to finishing chances.”
The young forward speaks with a quiet confidence, one that reflects his growing maturity both on and off the ice. Despite his age, Zharovsky already sounds like a seasoned pro – aware of his weaknesses but focused on the process of getting better every day. His poise and self-awareness are part of what make him stand out among the new wave of Russian talent emerging in the KHL.
During the 2024–25 season, Zharovsky made his debut in the MHL, Russia’s top junior league. He led Tolpar Ufa in scoring with 50 points (24 goals, 26 assists) in 45 games, earning the title of MHL Rookie of the Year. He also made his KHL debut at 18, appearing in seven playoff games for Salavat Yulaev and recording one assist.
That experience gave him a taste of the professional level—and left him hungry for more. This season (2025–26), Zharovsky made his regular-season KHL debut, though he had to wait for it – an injury kept him out at the start of the year.
“It was a small thing, nothing serious. I got hurt during preseason,” he explained. “Now I feel great, no health issues at all.”
Learning From the Pros and Building Confidence
Before the draft, Zharovsky spent part of the summer training in Miami at a camp organized by his agent, Dan Milstein. The Gold Star camp gathered the agency’s clients for several days of intense work – both on and off the ice – with NHL scouts and executives watching closely. Zharovsky says that trip to the U.S. helped him mature as a player.
“I became more professional about everything – training, recovery, nutrition. What helps me improve now is the same: training and love for hockey. I come to the rink not like it’s a job, but something I truly enjoy. And of course, I’m very thankful for the trust from our coaches and management.”
That passion is evident every time he hits the ice. Coaches say he’s the first one to arrive at practice and the last one to leave, often staying late to work on small details—puck control, shooting angles, or quick decision-making in tight spaces. It’s this dedication that’s turned him from a promising prospect into one of the league’s most exciting young players.
Salavat Yulaev head coach Viktor Kozlov, a former NHL player in his own right, has played a key role in the teenager’s development.
“I really feel his trust,” Zharovsky said. “He gives me chances – on the power play and at five-on-five. If I make a mistake, he doesn’t immediately bench me or send me down to the minors. That helps a lot. He gives great advice, explains what’s right and wrong, and points out small details.”
Zharovsky speaks with respect when he mentions Kozlov’s name. It’s clear that the coach’s steady guidance has helped him navigate the ups and downs of his first pro season. Kozlov’s approach, firm but patient, has created an environment where young players like Zharovsky can thrive without the fear of making mistakes.
Part of the reason for this is that Salavat Yulaev underwent a roster rebuild in the offseason, parting ways with several veteran leaders and giving bigger roles to homegrown players. Zharovsky knew he’d have a real chance to make the KHL lineup. Recently, Kozlov even moved him to center, a position he last played at the junior level.
“It doesn’t matter to me where I play – wherever the coach needs me, that’s where I’ll go,” he said. “I had two strong linemates who helped a lot defensively, so it felt easier.”
That versatility has made him even more valuable. Moving from wing to center can be a challenge because it requires new responsibilities in both zones, but Zharovsky embraced it. His strong skating and two-way awareness have made the transition surprisingly smooth, and his ability to adapt underlines his hockey IQ.
In recent games against Sibir and Neftekhimik, Zharovsky won 50% of his faceoffs (4 of 8 and 2 of 4).
“As a winger, I didn’t focus much on faceoffs. Now I’ll work on that more,” he added with a smile.
It’s the kind of small but telling remark that shows how much he cares about improvement. Even seemingly minor parts of the game, like faceoffs, are areas of focus for him. For Zharovsky, every shift is a chance to learn.
Looking Ahead to Montreal and Beyond
His early KHL stats are very similar to those of last year’s top rookie, Ivan Demidov, who also happens to be a close friend.
“We’ve known each other since we were kids,” Zharovsky said. “We still text and stay in touch during the season. I follow Montreal’s results, watch the highlights – mostly the goals, especially Demidov’s.”
The comparison between the two is inevitable, but Zharovsky doesn’t shy away from it. Instead, he uses it as motivation, seeing Demidov’s success in North America as a roadmap for what might come next in his own career.
While fans have already started to compare him to Demidov, Zharovsky stays grounded.
“I’m not thinking about the Rookie of the Year award,” he said. “The main thing is for the team to win.”
That team-first mentality is something his coaches constantly praise. Even with growing attention from NHL scouts and fans, he remains focused on doing his job and helping Salavat Yulaev win games.
On top of following the Canadiens’ season, Zharovsky stays in regular contact with the Canadiens’ co-director of amateur scouting, Nickolai Bobrov on a regular basis. Having been the main point of contact in the organization’s scouting of Zharovsky prior to drafting him this summer, Bobrov has been instrumental in keeping in touch with the young forward.
“Sometimes they text me after games, sometimes just to check in – ask how I’m feeling, how things are going,” he said.
Those check-ins remind him that the Canadiens are keeping a close eye on his progress, and the possibility of joining the organization in the future fuels his motivation.
After the draft, Zharovsky wasn’t able to attend Montreal’s development camp due to visa delays. But he plans to visit next summer and meet the organization in person. His KHL contract runs through 2027.
He hasn’t started learning French yet, but he’s making solid progress in English.
“I study with a tutor and use apps too. There’s progress, but during the season there’s not much time for studying. I need to dedicate more time to it,” he admitted.
The young forward laughs as he says it, clearly aware that learning another language will be part of his journey if he ends up in Montreal. It’s another challenge, but one he’s eager to take on.
Leading With Confidence
In the KHL, Zharovsky wears No. 97.
“It’s not because of McDavid or Kaprizov,” he laughed. “My favorite number, 22, was taken. I used to wear 88 in Tolpar, but that one’s taken too. So I went with 97 – it just looks good. And, well, McDavid and Kaprizov wear it too.”
Despite his young age, Zharovsky speaks with confidence and composure – and his play matches his words.
“I don’t feel nervous,” he said. “I just want to keep playing the same way and keep improving. Everything will be fine.”
And judging by the start he’s had, everything likely will be.