Der-Arguchintsev heads home to Russia to join KHL
With the OHL uncertain, he says joining pro team is the right choice
Semyon Der-Arguchintsev is going home to begin his professional hockey career.
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Monday they have loaned Der-Arguchintsev, who is eligible to play an overage season with the Peterborough Petes, to Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
Born and raised in Moscow, DerArguchintsev hasn’t played in his homeland since he moved to Canada at age 13 to play at the Canadian International Hockey Academy near Ottawa. The Petes selected Der-Arguchintsev in the secondround of the 2016 OHL draft.
“The decision was made just so I could play games,” said Der-Arguchintsev, from Russia. “We don’t know when the season will start (in North America). I was in Toronto for a month working out and getting in shape. We talked to Toronto and they thought it was time to go play some games. A lot of guys from North America are getting loaned to Europe right now.
“We both agreed it would be a good experience for me to go and get some experience in a good league.”
While his goal is to play for the Maple Leafs one day, he was excited by the opportunity to play in Russia and be closer to family. “Obviously it’s pretty exciting but I don’t know a lot of what to expect from the games here because obviously the games here are different than in North America. I think it’s going to be a good experience for me,” he said.
Der-Arguchintsev got a taste of pro hockey when he joined the ECHL’s Newfoundland Growlers, a Leafs affiliate, for the conclusion of the 2018-19 season. But the KHL is a much higher calibre.
“The ECHL was a tough league, too, especially in the playoffs. I felt like it was a good league but the KHL is probably the second best league in the world after the NHL. It’s a different game there so I’ll try to fit in as quick as I can.
“It’s going to be a great experience for me to play in the KHL and something new for me.”
The team is located about 400 kilometres east of Moscow where his family lives.
“They will hopefully get a chance to come and see some of my games here in Russia. They’re excited I can play hockey and be home a little bit more often than usual,” he said.
Torpedo is coached by former Florida Panthers and Sarnia Sting player David Nemirovsky.
“He will obviously be able to help me in terms of coming from North American hockey to more of a European style. He knows the North American style,” said Der-Arguchintsev. “They like to play with speed and skill and I feel like that fits my style of game well.”
They are seventh in the East Division with an 8-8-1-2 record. Former Ottawa Senators defenceman Chris Wideman is the highest profile name on Torpedo. Also playing there is Bobcaygeon native Brady Austin, who played for the Belleville Bulls and London Knights and was a draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres. He’s been playing in Europe since the end of his entry-level NHL contract during which he played five games for the Sabres.
Der-Arguchintsev signed a threeyear entry-level contract with the Maple Leafs in 2018 but has been playing in the OHL the past two years, meaning he still has three years remaining on the deal.
Der-Arguchintsev, 20, was drafted in the third-round, 76th overall by the Maple Leafs. He recorded 75 points in 55 games for the Petes last season, his fourth with the club, primarily as a linemate of another Toronto prospect, Nick Robertson.
Der-Arguchintsev notched 63 assists, ranking third in the OHL, behind only top draft picks Marco Rossi of the Ottawa 67’s and Cole Perfetti of the Saginaw Spirit.