Montreal Canadiens Select Mikhail Sergachev 9th Overall

With the ninth pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, the Montreal Canadiens have selected Mikhail Sergachev from the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL.

Mikhail Sergachev of the Windsor Spitfires was selected 9th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2016 NHL Draft. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.
Mikhail Sergachev of the Windsor Spitfires was selected 9th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2016 NHL Draft. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

About Mikhail Sergachev

Mikhail Sergachev is a Russian-born defenseman who has played just one season in the Ontario Hockey League with the Windsor Spitfires. Sergachev stands 6’2″, 220 pounds and was one of the OHL’s best defenseman as he put up 57 points in 67 games in his first OHL season. That was good for third best amongst all OHL defenseman in 2015/16. Sergachev came to play in North America after spending the entirety of his minor hockey-league days playing in Russia – most recently with Ibris Kazan of the MHL.  The 17-year-old is a dynamic puck-moving defenseman and was ranked 8th on NHL Central Scouting’s final prospect ranking list.

Sergachev was part of the U-17 Russian team who won gold at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge last year. Since coming over to play in North America, the young defender represented Team Orr at the CHL Top Prospects game and impressed a lot of NHL scouts with his smart two-way play.

After such an awful 2015/16 season, picking Sergachev with the ninth pick is a safe pick for Marc Bergevin and the Montreal Canadiens. He’s a smart player who is very close to taking the next step and playing professional hockey and could be in the NHL soon.

Montreal Canadiens

Montreal’s has lacked prospect depth, but the addition of a great puck-moving defenseman in Sergachev, will give the Habs some flexibility on their blueline.

Here is a look at the Canadiens prospect pool with the addition of Mikhail Sergachev.

  • Mikhail Sergachev, Windsor Spitfires (Defense)
  • Michael McCarron, Montreal Canadiens/St. John’s IceCaps
  • Noah Juulsen, Everrett Silvertips (Defense)
  • Nikita Sherbak, St. Johns IceCap’s (Right wing)
  • Charles Hudon, St. Johns IceCap’s (Left wing/Centre)
  • Sven Andrighetto, Montreal Canadiens/St. John’s IceCaps
  • Zachary Fucale, St. John’s IceCaps (Goaltender)
  • Charlie Lindgren, St. Cloud State/Montreal Canadiens (Goaltender)
  • Jacob De La Rose, St. John’s IceCaps/Montreal Canadiens
  • Martin Reway, Fribourg-Gotteron HC (Left wing)

Take a look at Sergachev’s career stats here courtesy of eliteprospects.com.

Here’s a look at what some hockey analysts had to say about the Habs’ newest top prospect.

For more about the newest Habs defenseman take a look at The Hockey Writers Next Ones profile on Mikahil Sergachev.

Here’s some of Sergachev’s finest work with the Windsor Spitfires this season.