The 2023 NHL Draft is being hyped as one of the most important in several years thanks to the trio of outstanding forwards at the top of the board. Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli and Matvei Michkov would all likely be considered for the first-overall pick in weaker years, making a tank effort even more worthwhile this time around.

Teams also have to start looking ahead to 2024 and getting closer looks at the top players that may be available. One of those players, Ivan Demidov, will make his KHL debut Wednesday at the age of 16. Playing for the SKA St. Petersburg organization, Demidov has 10 goals and 27 points in 19 games in the MHL this season and will get a look with the big club, according to his agent Dan Milstein.

The left-shot winger was excellent at the most recent Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, scoring five points in five games despite being younger than most of his competition, and will now make his professional debut months before he even turns 17.

There have been a handful of players who have made their debuts at 16, including Michkov, and there’s no guarantee that it means big things for Demidov. But for fans looking ahead, it’s exciting to see another young prospect tested against professionals so early.