Leafs draft Petes centre Semyon Der-Arguchintsev
Declan Chisholm taken by Winnipeg Jets but Pavel Gogolev snubbed in NHL draft
Peterborough Petes Semyon Der-Arguchintsev and Declan Chisholm will get an opportunity to pursue NHL careers in Canadian cities.
On Saturday, Der-Arguchintsev was selected in the third round, 76th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs at the NHL Entry Draft in Dallas. Chisholm was chosen in the fifth round, 150th overall, by the Winnipeg Jets. Both players were in Dallas to experience the moment.
“I’m really excited to join the Maple Leafs,” said Der-Arguchintsev. “They’re such a great organization. I’m looking forward to going to their camp.”
The five-foot-10, 159-pound playmaking centre recorded 12 goals, 39 assists, 51 points and 18 penalty minutes in 68 games. He was named the Petes’ most sportsmanlike player of the 201718 season. He joins 12 other Petes to be selected by the Maple Leafs including Bob Neely (1973), Luke Richardson (1987) and Tie Domi (1988).
“It’s a dream come true for me right now,” said Der-Arguchintsev. “I’m excited to see what it’s like in the NHL. The hard work is just starting. It’s nice I got drafted, it means a lot to me, but the real work starts now.”
Chisholm has family ties to Winnipeg so being selected by the Jets was extra special. His late grandmother Audrey Browning lived in Winnipeg and he’s got other relatives there and has been to Winnipeg several times for visits.
“I’m really excited especially with a lot of my family members, some of them are here with me right now, coming from Winnipeg. They’re huge Winnipeg fans so it’s kind of fitting for me,” said Chisholm. “I’m honoured, they’re a great organization. I couldn’t be happier to go to Winnipeg. Everyone there seems so nice and want to start the development right away. I fly out (Sunday) for their development camp.”
It was a special moment sitting with 19 family members when his name was called.
“We were definitely nervous and I had no clue what was going to happen,” he said. “The rounds were starting to get a bit later. Then I heard my name and it was like a weight was taken off my shoulders. It was a relief. My whole family just screamed and I was super-excited. It was, honestly, the best feeling ever.”
The six-foot-one, 185-pound defenceman and Bowmanville native registered three goals, 17 assists, 20 points and 16 penalty minutes in 47 games last season. He was named the team’s best defenseman. He makes history becoming the first Pete to be drafted by the Jets. Zach Bogosian (2008) was selected by the Atlanta Thrashers before their relocation to Winnipeg in 2001.
Der-Arguchintsev’s long-time friend Pavel Gogolev, the Petes’ first-round pick in the 2016 OHL draft, was not drafted despite scoring 30 goals last season and being ranked 79th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
“After I got drafted I went to the stands right away to be with him because I thought for sure he’d get drafted,” said Der-Arguchintsev. “I’m upset and he’s upset he didn’t get drafted but it’s not the end of the day for him. He’s still a great player and he’ll play in the NHL.”
Petes draft pick Logan Hutsko, who plays at Boston College, was selected in the third round, 89th overall by the Florida Panthers.